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Jelke Creek Bird Sanctuary
4.7 ★★★★★ 234 Google reviews · Running trail in Dundee Township, Illinois · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Jelke Creek Bird Sanctuary'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.
Nature preserve offering picnic areas, hiking trails, and opportunities for bird watching and geocaching.
What runners say about Jelke Creek Bird Sanctuary
“Considering it was the beginning of March, it wasn't that pretty and there weren't many birds, but the trails were well-kept and clean.”
“This place is amazing and is very well planned out to both help the local ecosystem but also as a great public space for a beautiful walk and take in some nature.”
“I wasn’t the only one walking the serene trails.”
Beautiful Saturday morning walk. We stuck to the right with every intersection skipping the grass areas and only took an hour. Short but beautiful and no birds
Beautiful and vast! Exceptionally well-kept native prairie and wetlands, representing the best of Illinois's natural landscapes. An excellent stop for birders, especially for sparrows and waterfowl.
Getting back to nature here was worth the afternoon stop and stroll. I wasn’t the only one walking the serene trails. Another photographer was out and about that day and a gentleman on horseback was enjoying it as well. So cool he and his horse have the option to ride in such an amazing and natural habitat.
Love to walk the trails here. Changes in grade provide a good cardio walk. Trails are well groomed.
Trail conditions & character
“This place is amazing and is very well planned out to both help the local ecosystem but also as a great public space for a beautiful walk and take in some nature.”
“I wasn’t the only one walking the serene trails.”
“Huge park to walk or bike with little parking but free & with a portable potty station.”
Plan your run at Jelke Creek Bird Sanctuary
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.
- At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
- Websitedundeetownship.org
- Phone(847) 428-8092
- Social Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–6 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–6 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–6 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–6 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–6 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–6 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–6 PM |
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