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Independence Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 279 Google reviews · Running trail in Marquette Heights, Illinois · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- 12 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Independence 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.
Wooded park featuring hiking & biking trails, picnic areas & baseball fields, plus a playground.
What runners say about Independence Park
“Nice track, clean play ground, restrooms always clean, hiking trails nearby.”
“Beautiful park the trails are amazing fun to watch the 4th of July fireworks at Independence Park”
It's a good park. Very large if you take the full trail. It feels like a mountain bike trail first and a walking trail second. We walked 3.5 miles in 2 hours then cut it short. It was a hot day and we just wanted to try it out before committing to what I've read is between a 9 and 11 miles full circle trail.
Love taking our entire family here. Kids, dogs, adults... we all love this park! Nice track, clean play ground, restrooms always clean, hiking trails nearby. It is walking distance from home and we spend a lot of time here during the summer.
The trails are a little confusing so more signage wouldn't hurt but we saw plenty of wildlife and spent a few hours wandering the 7 to 12 miles of lovely Illinois woodland.
Beautiful park the trails are amazing fun to watch the 4th of July fireworks at Independence Park
Trail conditions & character
“Checked this out today both paved paths and also winding Mtn biking trails that I hiked with my dog today.”
“If you go in far enough, you may come across the waterfall - one of my son's favorite places to visit with his friends.”
“The trails are to the RIGHT of the parking lot.”
“This place is good for bringing younger kids, but I'm not sure if there is a bathroom nearby, or not.”
“Checked this out today both paved paths and also winding Mtn biking trails that I hiked with my dog today.”
“Clean well cleared single track trails.”
“The trails are a little confusing so more signage wouldn't hurt but we saw plenty of wildlife and spent a few hours wandering the 7 to 12 miles of lovely Illinois woodland.”
Plan your run at Independence Park
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- 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 trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitepekinparkdistrict.org
- Phone(309) 382-3455
- Social Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–11 PM |
Running trails near Marquette Heights
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Independence Park Trail
5 ★★★★★ 1 reviews
Richard Morrissey Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 81 reviews
Park featuring picnic shelters, a playground and basketball courts.
McNaughton Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 4 reviews
McNaughton Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 220 reviews
Undeveloped park consisting of trails winding through woodland & meadow habitat for native species.
