Home › Illinois › Lake Forest › Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve
Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,344 Google reviews · Running trail in Lake Forest, Illinois · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Fort Sheridan 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.
Shoreline forest preserve with rolling terrain & trails for hiking, biking & cross-country skiing.
What runners say about Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve
“The preserve is well maintained, family-friendly, and perfect for walking, jogging, photography, or simply enjoying the fresh air.”
“One of the best places In Illinois, it s directly on Lake Michigan so enjoying the water scene beside the forest trails was absolutely stunning.”
“I only give a 4 because there is very little shade if hot and sunny out and the picnic area I saw had no shade either.”
“The peaceful atmosphere makes it a great place to escape the busy city and enjoy a relaxing day outdoors.”
“The preserve is well maintained, family-friendly, and perfect for walking, jogging, photography, or simply enjoying the fresh air.”
One of the best places In Illinois, it s directly on Lake Michigan so enjoying the water scene beside the forest trails was absolutely stunning. However in the weekend the parking is not so easy as not so many places available.
This preserve is such a gem. I wish I discovered it earlier to enjoy it in the summer time but fall here is absolutely stunning too. I did a 1,7m hike but would love to come back to explore more trails. Bathrooms could use a little cleanup but otherwise it’s really well maintained and marked. Great getaway!
This park is easily on my top 10 scenic parks in Illinois. Whenever I need a peaceful getaway and relax, this is the place. The park isn't huge, but it offers beautiful lake views. The trails are well-maintained and great for walking.
Glad that I took this time out for this gorgeous place! It was a good sunny day for a walk and we made the best of it! We were early - as such we had the shoreline to ourselves. Just sat there and soaked in nature’s abundance ❤️
Trail conditions & character
“One of the best places In Illinois, it s directly on Lake Michigan so enjoying the water scene beside the forest trails was absolutely stunning.”
“The peaceful atmosphere makes it a great place to escape the busy city and enjoy a relaxing day outdoors.”
“Entering the outlying area, it feels like you've taken a wrong turn somewhere, but there are signs for public parking along the way.”
“Nice paved walkways, some steep down hill if lakeside but the rest are flat encircling the savanna.”
“Bathrooms could use a little cleanup but otherwise it’s really well maintained and marked.”
“Nice paved walkways, some steep down hill if lakeside but the rest are flat encircling the savanna.”
“I only give a 4 because there is very little shade if hot and sunny out and the picnic area I saw had no shade either.”
“The shore does get quite rocky so wear shoes if you walk by the water.”
Plan your run at Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to 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.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websitelcfpd.org
- Phone(847) 367-6640
Running trails near Lake Forest
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Openlands Lakeshore Preserve at Fort Sheridan: Main Entrance
4.6 ★★★★★ 191 reviews
Lakeside nature preserve with kid-friendly hiking, trails, and murals.
Forest Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 300 reviews
37-acre park district facility with a 3/4-mile walking trail & a lakefront beach.
Prairie Wolf Forest Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 131 reviews
Nature preserve with a trail, controlled-entry pond, and fenced-in acreage for dogs.
Buckthorn Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 13 reviews
