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Franklin Creek State Natural Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 307 Google reviews · Running trail in Franklin Grove, Illinois · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- 12 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Franklin Creek State Natural Area'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.
Clean park featuring a grist mill, winding trails and playgrounds, plus picnic tables.
What runners say about Franklin Creek State Natural Area
“Handy cap accessible, bathrooms were clean, the park is small but very well taken care of.”
“Long sidewalk style trail excellent for stroller, wagons and wheel chairs, including a covered scenic pond over look.”
“It's so peaceful here and not too busy.”
Beautiful creek and trails! And the spring is just magical looking! 😍👌🏽🏞💧🌳🌲🌿🍁🍂⚘️🌼🐞🕸🪱🦗🕷🐜🐝🦋🐿🐸 Oh and the long path for the handicapped is a huge blessing for them! We brought our group home guys here a couples years ago and the walk on the path with the picnic tables to rest on at the end near the creek was just Perfect!
My absolute favorite place to be while I'm staying here in Northern Illinois. I hunt here, I run here, and I chill here when I get some free time. You have to visit the grist mill if you have time. There are trails for horse riding and walking alike, with several natural springs along the way. Must see!!
Definitely bring good supportive hiking boots! In hindsight long pants would be ideal. So many birds and the sound of the creek was so calming. Very good exercise! We did the Pioneer Pass- just under 4 miles round trip.
It’s a two hour drive from Chicago, but very worth the schlep. Having explored most of the hiking areas here, and also off-trail, I can attest to how diverse the areas are — its really a treat of a place to spend a whole day, exploring nature and maybe having a little picnic!
Trail conditions & character
“Long sidewalk style trail excellent for stroller, wagons and wheel chairs, including a covered scenic pond over look.”
“The trail along the creek is concrete for several hundred feet before switching to a regular old dirt trail.”
“The trail along the creek is concrete for several hundred feet before switching to a regular old dirt trail.”
“Long sidewalk style trail excellent for stroller, wagons and wheel chairs, including a covered scenic pond over look.”
“Handy cap accessible, bathrooms were clean, the park is small but very well taken care of.”
Plan your run at Franklin Creek State Natural Area
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Distance12 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadrestrooms, 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.
- Websitednr.illinois.gov
- Phone(815) 456-2878
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–5 PM |
Running trails near Franklin Grove
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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Meadows Park
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Riverfront Park
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