HomeIllinoisNiles › Forest Preserves of Cook County

Forest Preserves of Cook County

4.7 ★★★★★ 56 Google reviews · Running trail in Niles, Illinois · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

We have not been able to confirm the surface, distance or shape of Forest Preserves of Cook County yet from its own listing, the park's website or runner reviews — so those cells stay blank rather than guess. What is below comes straight from the listing and from reviewers' own words. 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.

ScenicQuiet

What runners say about Forest Preserves of Cook County

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (56 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“Wonderful beautiful we had a nice time nice weather people should make a little time to go for a little walk to the park it helps your body and your mind”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“So peaceful and beautiful.”

I love coming to this forest Preserve off of Oakton Street. You have to turn right at the light and than a right at the Mimi Woods Entrance. This Preserve has very nice senic views and you will see many wild life even on the trail. A great place for familys to bod with little ones. Everyone is super safe.

★★★★★ — K , Sep 2020

Wonderful walk on the North Branch Trail. Everything is growing. Felt like I was on a prairie or african savana with tall grasses. Love the relaxing feeling of walking the trail. Great stewardship of nature!

★★★★★ — Erika , Aug 2022

A refreshing escape from suburbia. Paths are clear but signage is sparse. Take a picture of the map when you start in order to know where you are going. Bring a camera. Facilities available at the beginning but not on the trail.

★★★★☆ — Robert , Jun 2025

I love the various parks and trails of the forest preserve. Gives me a little break from the craziness of regular life and lets me relax with nature or get a nice run in for a workout.

★★★★★ — Jeremy , May 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 56 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 6 mentions

“Wonderful beautiful we had a nice time nice weather people should make a little time to go for a little walk to the park it helps your body and your mind”

More trails like this →

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“So peaceful and beautiful.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Forest Preserves of Cook County

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • 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.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • Websitefpdcc.com
  • Phone+1 800-870-3666

Where to find Forest Preserves of Cook County

Oakton St, Niles, IL 60714

Get directions

Running trails near Niles

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Miami Woods

4.7 ★★★★★ 303 reviews

Morton Grove, IL

PavedScenicDog-friendly

113 acres of restored woodlands & prairies, featuring a 1.5-mile paved path for biking & walking.

under a mile away

St. Paul Woods

4.7 ★★★★★ 147 reviews

Morton Grove, IL

ScenicDog-friendly

Verdant space ideal for picnics and drives features plenty of picnic benches, plus deer sightings.

under a mile away

Brooks (Oscar) Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 119 reviews

Chicago, IL

PavedDog-friendly

This site features a rec center with fitness programs, horseshoe pits, tennis courts & ball fields.

1.2 miles away

Bunker Hill Forest Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,135 reviews

Niles, IL

Mixed

Forest preserve with prairie & groves offering hiking & biking paths plus scattered picnic tables.

1.2 miles away

Linne Woods

4.7 ★★★★★ 521 reviews

Morton Grove, IL

MixedScenicDog-friendly

Scenic nature preserve offering wooded jogging, biking & equestrian trails, plus picnic areas.

1.3 miles away

Caldwell Woods (Forest Preserves of Cook County)

4.7 ★★★★★ 176 reviews

Chicago, IL

Scenic

Cook County park offering a trail for walking and biking, plus a picnic area.

1.8 miles away

All running trails in Niles, IL →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.