Home › Illinois › Winnetka › Erickson Woods
Erickson Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 156 Google reviews · Running trail in Winnetka, Illinois · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Erickson Woods' own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
894-acre nature preserve with boat access & fishing, plus picnic areas, birds & dog-friendly trails.
What runners say about Erickson Woods
“Nice place to do a lot of exercises with great views”
“Trails are well marked and you can get a good view of a lagoon and creek through the trees!”
Erickson Woods is a great starting point for hiking or biking the North Branch Trail--both paved and unpaved--to the south, or boating and fishing in the Skokie Lagoons.
Erikson's woods was a great place to park our car and jump on the bike trail to the botanic gardens.
Beautiful setting with easy to navigate trails. If you could block out the sounds of the highway you wouldn't believe that you were only 30 minutes out of the city. The lagoons, trees and native grasses make walking or biking a true nature experience. You can glimpse ducks and herons.
Popular spot. Lovely for running, biking, and canoeing in the summer. Lovely for cross country skiing and snow shoeing in winter. Noisy by the highway.
Trail conditions & character
“Nice place to do a lot of exercises with great views”
“The unpaved Yellow Trail is my go-to for wet-weather and hot-weather hiking, since the raised, gravel path drains well, and the heavy woods that surround it make for good shade.”
“You will also need a flash light on your phone or a regular light because it might get dark ☪️ 10/10 would 100% recommend to someone who loves exploring, fishing, and photography”
Plan your run at Erickson Woods
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitefpdcc.com
- Phone+1 800-870-3666
Hours
| Monday | 6:30 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 6:30 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 6:30 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 6:30 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 6:30 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 6:30 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | 6:30 am–8 pm |
Running trails near Winnetka
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Crow Island Woods
4.8 ★★★★★ 49 reviews
Woodsy outdoor area featuring hiking trails and the 1837 Schmidt-Burnham Log House of the Winnetka Historical Society.
Chicago River North Branch Trail
4 ★★★★☆ 3 reviews
Watersmeet Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 45 reviews
Public woods named for the joining of the Middle & East Forks of the Chicago River.
Tower Road
4.7 ★★★★★ 28 reviews
Skokie Lagoons
4.7 ★★★★★ 4,088 reviews
Forest preserve consisting of pools, channels & islands, with fishing, kayaking & hiking.