HomeIllinoisChicago › Lakefront Trail - South Trailhead - 71st Street

Lakefront Trail - South Trailhead - 71st Street

4.8 ★★★★★ 21 Google reviews · Running trail in Chicago, Illinois · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Lakefront Trail - South Trailhead - 71st Street'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.

What runners say about Lakefront Trail - South Trailhead - 71st Street

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (21 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

I rode my skateboard from the north trailhead to the south. It took me two and half hours. The ride was smooth and the sights were incredible.

★★★★★ — Jose , Aug 2025

Let’s start big picture here. The 18-mile long trail hugs the coast of Lake Michigan, offering all manner of experiences along the shore. From calm, sandy beaches to sprawling park land, to some of the best views of the Chicago skyline, the lakefront path is one of the city's great public treasures, enjoyed by…

★★★★★ — Nikhil , Jul 2021

It is a great place to start or finish a bike ride amongst the natural and human-made beauty running up and down Lake Michigan

★★★★★ — Matthew , Aug 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 21 reviews →

Plan your run at Lakefront Trail - South Trailhead - 71st Street

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.
  • Websitechicagoparkdistrict.com
  • Phone+1 312-742-7529
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 6 am–9 pm
Tuesday 6 am–9 pm
Wednesday 6 am–9 pm
Thursday 6 am–9 pm
Friday 6 am–9 pm
Saturday 6 am–9 pm
Sunday 6 am–9 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 Lakefront Trail - South Trailhead - 71st Street

2529 E South Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60649

Get directions

Running trails near Chicago

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

Lakefront Trail - 67th Street

4.8 ★★★★★ 19 reviews

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Scenic

under a mile away

Lakefront Trail - 55th Street

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2.1 miles away

Hammond Lakefront Park and Bird Sanctuary

4.4 ★★★★☆ 63 reviews

Hammond, IN

Scenic

Beach for families and individuals as well as a bird trail and breakwalls.

5.2 miles away

Lakefront Trail - 31st Street Harbor

4.8 ★★★★★ 6 reviews

Chicago, IL

5.4 miles away

Big Marsh Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 565 reviews

Chicago, IL

LoopPavedScenic

280.13-acre open space with an off-road bike park, nature areas for bird watching & hiking trails.

5.6 miles away

Eggers Grove

4.5 ★★★★★ 665 reviews

Chicago, IL

PavedDog-friendly

Vibrant nature park featuring hiking paths, marshes, waterfowl, picnic spots & open spaces.

5.8 miles away

All running trails in Chicago, 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.