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Fitchie Creek Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 182 Google reviews · Running trail in Elgin, Illinois · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- 3 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Fitchie Creek Forest Preserve's 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.
This wildland habitat with a meandering creek offers multi-use trails & a horseback riding area.
What runners say about Fitchie Creek Forest Preserve
“Quiet clean and nice stream for the doggies Some of the people were anything less than desirable.”
“This forest preserve is beautiful and well kept.”
“The shaded area creates a good 1/2 mile to cool down and if you have a dog, there's two creek crossings that your puppy can cool down!”
“Quiet clean and nice stream for the doggies Some of the people were anything less than desirable.”
Beautiful preserve featuring a 3 mile loop. The trail has some decent points of elevation in spots and offers nice views of Fitchie Creek and a pond. The trail wasn't too muddy in early March. Plenty of parking available and restrooms on-site.
Wide, paved trail. One part is woodsy and the other open. Disability friendly. Lovely place to see balloons.
I actually like Forest Preserve. I utilize it mostly as a quick and easy bike trail. It has different phases, all different but challenging to ride. It has a soft gravel portion, a wooded area, and plenty of hills to get your heart rate up. If it had more shaded areas it would be a perfect beginners trail for riding.
This is a great place to visit to get fresh air, relax, decompress and enjoy nature and wildlife. You can start on either direction and explore the several available walk trails. It’s pet friendly, but please have your pets on leashes as common courtesy. There is a pond and a creek too.
Trail conditions & character
“About half the circuit is raw fine gravel (like base material for pavers or concrete), while the other half is well-paved.”
“This forest preserve is beautiful and well kept.”
“Really nice trail only a couple people we saw, unfortunately one of the people called 911 because our two gentle dogs were off their leash.”
“The shaded area creates a good 1/2 mile to cool down and if you have a dog, there's two creek crossings that your puppy can cool down!”
“The trail has some decent points of elevation in spots and offers nice views of Fitchie Creek and a pond.”
“There are bathrooms halfway around and water fountains.”
“25 for the loop from the parking lot off of Russell Road.”
“25 for the loop from the parking lot off of Russell Road.”
“Quiet clean and nice stream for the doggies Some of the people were anything less than desirable.”
“The trail wasn't too muddy in early March.”
Plan your run at Fitchie Creek Forest Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Loop distance3 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitekaneforest.com
- Phone(630) 232-5980
- Social Instagram · Facebook
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Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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