Home › Illinois › Mahomet › Heron View Forest Preserve
Heron View Forest Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 27 Google reviews · Running trail in Mahomet, Illinois · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Heron View 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.
What runners say about Heron View Forest Preserve
“What a scenic and peaceful trail when Bluebells bloom.”
“What a scenic and peaceful trail when Bluebells bloom.”
“Beautiful easy hike with light hills.”
This is a really lovely spot. The trail is perfect for families. It is an easy 1 1/3 mile loop. A trail friendly stroller can make it if you have some upper body strength, but it is better to wear babies or young toddlers that aren't ready to walk the whole way.
Very scenic, but totally primitive. Nothing other than a trail and some yellow spray paint on trees for trail markers. Make sure you go when it hasn't rained recently, because it's muddy.
This is a small and rather hard to find park. There is one trail only and it's marked by paint splotches on trees as you go. It's pretty enough, but not all that different from all the other walking trails at other nearby parks in the Sangamon River.
It was bigger than I expected. Really good views of the sangaman. Muddy, and the trail could be better maintained. Moderate hike, almost 2 miles. Some elevation, parking is small-only 3 spots.
Trail conditions & character
“What a scenic and peaceful trail when Bluebells bloom.”
“Hazen Bridge is a two minute drive from the trailhead so be sure and see that too if you get the chance.”
“It's mostly the floodplain land next to the river so if it's trained any time recently, it's going to be muddy.”
“What a scenic and peaceful trail when Bluebells bloom.”
“Some elevation, parking is small-only 3 spots.”
“Nice mile and a quarter loop trail through the woods down to the Sangamon River and back.”
Plan your run at Heron View Forest Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- 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 trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Websitechampaignforests.org
- Phone(217) 586-3360
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–8 PM |
Running trails near Mahomet
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
