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Gillson Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 2,150 Google reviews · Running trail in Wilmette, Illinois · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Gillson Park'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.
Expansive reserve with beach access, swimming, sailing, picnicking, fitness trails, dog area & more.
What runners say about Gillson Park
“It was pretty clean and next to Michigan lake which is awesome✔ you can eat some food you can swim you can walk around you can get relax etc for everybody.”
“Beautiful park on the lake, intersecting with a couple of other interesting places which are the Bahai Temple, A harbor and the North Shore Channel.”
I love this park. It was pretty clean and next to Michigan lake which is awesome✔ you can eat some food you can swim you can walk around you can get relax etc for everybody.
This beach and park area is a great place to go on a hot day, especially for families. There is a paid beach with paid parking, and there is also a free beach, although you aren't allowed to go too far in the water there.
Trail conditions & character
“There is a paid beach with paid parking, and there is also a free beach, although you aren't allowed to go too far in the water there.”
“Beautiful park on the lake, intersecting with a couple of other interesting places which are the Bahai Temple, A harbor and the North Shore Channel.”
“Dogs are allowed at the free beach, and the paid beach has changing rooms and a small concession stand.”
“Facilities: Offers picnic areas (with reservations), concession stands, restrooms, and the Lakeview Center venue.”
Plan your run at Gillson Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- 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.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitewilmettepark.org
- Phone(847) 256-0333
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 9 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–8 PM |
Running trails near Wilmette
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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