HomeIllinoisMcHenry › Knox Park

Knox Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 174 Google reviews · Running trail in McHenry, Illinois · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Knox 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.

ScenicStroller / ADATrailhead parking

Park offering a pool, a playground and a skatepark and featuring tennis, baseball and soccer fields.

What runners say about Knox Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (174 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 5 mentions

“It's just a basic pool with diving boards, but it's kept clean and the lifeguards are helpful and do a great job of monitoring.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“This is a great area to take the family for these beautiful summer days.”

👟 good for all levels 2 mentions

“Great park for kids of all ages.”

Great park for kids of all ages. They had a great skate park tried it. They had a nice walking path with organic wooden ninja stepping games loved it. They had a nice modern playground for the Littles, which with lots of ninja obstacle course stuff.

★★★★★ — Jeff , Dec 2024

Love this park. They have a great playground area for the kids. They have picnic areas in the shade of pavilions and trees. Small creek running through for all to explore the banks. Nice place to take the family for an afternoon of fun

★★★★★ — Angela , Apr 2019

Beautiful Park beautiful amenities pool swing set trails relaxation beauty no garbage nice place to visit pick up after yourself don't be a slob and it'll be beautiful for years to come

★★★★☆ — Craig , Jan 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 174 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.

🏞️ Scenic views 5 mentions

“This is a great area to take the family for these beautiful summer days.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 2 mentions

“Parking is a bit tricky but overall I would go again even though I live an hour away.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible

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Plan your run at Knox Park

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 trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websiteci.mchenry.il.us
  • Phone(815) 363-2160
  • Social Facebook

Hours

Monday 5 AM–10:30 PM
Tuesday 5 AM–10:30 PM
Wednesday 5 AM–10:30 PM
Thursday 5 AM–10:30 PM
Friday 5 AM–10:30 PM
Saturday 5 AM–10:30 PM
Sunday 5 AM–10:30 PM

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 Knox Park

330 Knox Dr, McHenry, IL 60050

Get directions

Running trails near McHenry

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

Fort McHenry Park

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Liberty Trails Park

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Petersen Park

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Moraine Hills State Park

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10 miLoopMixedScenic

2,200+ acres of glacier-formed park with woods, wetlands & lakes for year-round sports & recreation.

2.5 miles away

Sterne's Woods & Fen

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Preserved forested area with a creek, ponds & walking, biking & cross-country skiing trails.

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Harrison Benwell Conservation Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 103 reviews

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Preserve featuring trails for hiking and cross-country skiing, as well as picnic areas.

5.1 miles away

All running trails in McHenry, 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.