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Hinkston Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 518 Google reviews · Running trail in Waukegan, Illinois · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
7 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Hinkston 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.

7 miDog-friendlyRestroomsTrailhead parking

Landscaped public park with walking trails, picnic shelters, children's play areas & restrooms.

What runners say about Hinkston Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (518 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 8 mentions

“Very good clean place to workout and to have fun”

Great afternoon clean walking trail. Very clean grille area and playground. People seemed very happy walking their dogs.

★★★★★ — Magdalena , Apr 2022

I love quiet mornings in the park. The park's walking/jogging path is clearly marked. 2 laps for 1 kilometer and 3 laps for one mile. The only thing of concern is a marshy area near the path which some mosquitoes inhabit. It's right next to the Waukegan field house. Much of the park is shaded by tall trees.

★★★★☆ — Stefanie , Aug 2017

Great running trail. There is a small playground for kids. Also, there's a space for people looking to have an outdoor party. I was just there for the run, 3 laps a mile, 2 is a kilometer. I'd recommend for anyone who likes to run outdoor whether they're a novice or marathon runner.

★★★★★ — L , May 2019

North of the fieldhouse with seperate parking, 1/3 mile up and down multiuse paved track that is a lot of fun to walk/run with without dogs. Public restrooms inside of shelter. Lanscaping includes marsh/water ditch with signage. Dog pickup bags available. Children playground, benches, very comfortable.

★★★★★ — Doug , Aug 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 518 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.

🐕 Dog-friendly 4 mentions

“North of the fieldhouse with seperate parking, 1/3 mile up and down multiuse paved track that is a lot of fun to walk/run with without dogs.”

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🚻 Restrooms 3 mentions

“There is an old pavilion with old public bathrooms.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“North of the fieldhouse with seperate parking, 1/3 mile up and down multiuse paved track that is a lot of fun to walk/run with without dogs.”

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🏃 Long-run distance (5mi+)

“Good machines, weight room, and a nice indoor 1/7 mile track above a huge gym with basketball, tennis, volleyball, and pickle ball.”

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Plan your run at Hinkston Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • Distance7 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 trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitewaukeganparks.org
  • Phone(847) 360-4725
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Closed
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 Hinkston Park

810 Baldwin Ave, Waukegan, IL 60085

Get directions

Running trails near Waukegan

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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Kilbourne Road DPRT Trail Access

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Greenbelt Forest Preserve

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Crushed gravelScenic

Urban oasis featuring fishing, a summer farmers' market & miles of hiking & biking trails.

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All running trails in Waukegan, 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.