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Lake Carina Forest Preserve
4.3 ★★★★☆ 184 Google reviews · Running trail in Gurnee, Illinois · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- 1 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Lake Carina 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.
Nature preserve featuring a trail around a lake popular with fishermen.
What runners say about Lake Carina Forest Preserve
“This small preserve offers a variety of enjoyable features, including a spacious parking lot, clean and roomy restrooms, benches, trails, a fishing deck, and beaches.”
“Beautiful place for a lil mile walk around a lake, there's some small side trails too”
“Peaceful but you can see/hear the highway.”
Have been here in the winter and spring. The 1.1 mile trail is enjoyable and easy. Very few crowds. Haven’t been to the fishing pier. Sound of the highway and the power lines are unfortunate, however.
One mile beautiful trail goes around the lake. There's a fishing pier and also access to a small beach people fish off of/sit at. Overall nice and peaceful.
It is a beautiful park on rt.21 off of 94, so its a bit noisy, but the nature trail is nice and small, with a couple hidden trails closer to the lake and the Des Plaines river. Couple fisherman here and there.
Lake Carina is a lovely, small forest preserve. The path around the lake is a tidy 1 mile walk, perfect for a lunch break stroll. I know a lot of visitors really enjoy the fishing, but I think its a perfect place to check on the passing of the seasons!
Trail conditions & character
“Beautiful place for a lil mile walk around a lake, there's some small side trails too”
“Haven't had a chance to explore much there, but when I do I'll be prepared with good shoes because part of the path is grassy and muddy.”
“another thing, i headed south west off the trail and accidentally ended up in someones backyard, be careful out there and dont get shot or have the dogs chew your ass up.”
Plan your run at Lake Carina Forest Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Loop distance1 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitelcfpd.org
- Phone+1 847-367-6640
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