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Great Western Nature Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 30 Google reviews · Running trail in Sycamore, Illinois · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Great Western Nature Trail'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.

Great Western Nature Trail — running trail in Sycamore, IL, photo 1
Great Western Nature Trail — running trail in Sycamore, IL, photo 2
Great Western Nature Trail — running trail in Sycamore, IL, photo 3
Great Western Nature Trail — running trail in Sycamore, IL, photo 4
Great Western Nature Trail — running trail in Sycamore, IL, photo 5
PavedOpen 24h

What runners say about Great Western Nature Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (30 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

Such a beautiful place to go for a walk! We love the paved trail in Sycamore. Super close to downtown but feels completely tucked away.

★★★★★ — Julia , May 2022

This is a great trail to walk, run, or bike on. It's a generally straight path with few turns and is a total of 17 miles from Sycamore, IL to St. Charles, IL. I really enjoy using this trail for my workouts!

★★★★★ — Jennifer , Feb 2018

Sycamore to Lilly Lake. Maintained well just to straight and often to close to the road. Not a whole lot to see but I was there for the miles. This rail to trail is very flat and fast. Maintained great.

★★★★☆ — A , Sep 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 30 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.

🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

“Nice trail would be even better if it was paved”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Great Western Nature Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • 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.
  • Websitedekalbcounty.org
  • Phone(815) 895-7191
  • Social Facebook

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Great Western Nature Trail

Sycamore, Illinois

Get directions

Running trails near Sycamore

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

Sycamore Forest Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 92 reviews

Sycamore, IL

Mixed

Park with trails, a pond, and picnic areas suitable for kids.

under a mile away

Old Mill Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 12 reviews

Sycamore, IL

1.0 miles away

Parkside Preserve

5 ★★★★★ 1 reviews

Sycamore, IL

1.2 miles away

Sycamore Lake Rotary Park

4.9 ★★★★★ 47 reviews

Sycamore, IL

ScenicDog-friendly

1.6 miles away

Wetzel Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 69 reviews

Sycamore, IL

Natural surface

Low-key playground and park for tennis and basketball players, plus kids' swings, slides and a rubber-surfaced area.

1.6 miles away

Kiwanis Prairie Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 21 reviews

Sycamore, IL

2.0 miles away

All running trails in Sycamore, 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.