HomeIllinoisPort Barrington › Fox River Forest Preserve

Fox River Forest Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 486 Google reviews · Running trail in Port Barrington, 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 Fox River Forest Preserve 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.

ScenicRestrooms

Popular nature preserve with trails, picnic areas, a boat launch, and fishing spots.

What runners say about Fox River Forest Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (486 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 7 mentions

“Clean bathrooms and plenty of parking.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 8 mentions

“Always a beautiful walk in this forest preserve, especially during the nice Winter/Spring days when the marina isn't full of boats just yet.”

A great place to bike or walk! I especially love the little wooden walkway on the red trail. Good for gentle biking; there aren't extreme elevation gains unless you go up the larger hill with the nice view of the water. Keep going along the yellow trail and you'll exit near Riverwalk.

★★★★★ — Stephy , Jan 2023

Beautiful for evening or morning walks. We randomly went to catch sunset and bet you we did catch a stunning sunset view. It is nice place to have picnics during summer days, just that catching sunset might take a little longer:D

★★★★★ — Nirali , Sep 2025

Another amazing Lake County Forest! There are multiple trails here, including along the Fox River. Plenty of parking.

★★★★★ — Val , Jan 2024

Beautiful sites. Would love if the red trail eventually gets looped back to yellow trail towards the river/marine.

★★★★★ — Alison , Jun 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 486 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 12 mentions

“Always a beautiful walk in this forest preserve, especially during the nice Winter/Spring days when the marina isn't full of boats just yet.”

More trails like this →

🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“Clean bathrooms and plenty of parking.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Fox River Forest Preserve

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.
  • At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitelcfpd.org
  • Phone+1 847-381-0669

Where to find Fox River Forest Preserve

28500 W Roberts Rd, Port Barrington, IL 60010

Get directions

Running trails near Port Barrington

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

Lyons Prairie and Marsh Conservation Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 46 reviews

Cary, IL

3.5 miLoop

Nature preserve offering trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, and fishing.

1.1 miles away

Fox Trail Park

5 ★★★★★ 1 reviews

Port Barrington, IL

1.2 miles away

Hickory Grove Highlands Conservation Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 91 reviews

Cary, IL

3.5 miScenicDog-friendly

Nature preserve offers hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, fishing, and geocaching.

1.3 miles away

Grassy Lake Trails

4.7 ★★★★★ 10 reviews

Tower Lakes, IL

1.7 miles away

Grassy Lake Forest Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 133 reviews

Lake Barrington, IL

Crushed gravelScenic

This 689-acre nature preserve features a river, scenic overlooks, hiking trails & toilets.

2.1 miles away

Cary-Grove Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 106 reviews

Cary, IL

Large park with swings, slides, a playground, basketball courts and picnic tables, plus fields for soccer and football.

2.9 miles away

All running trails in Port Barrington, 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.