HomeIllinoisNormal › M.J. Rhymer Family Nature Preserve

M.J. Rhymer Family Nature Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 14 Google reviews · Running trail in Normal, Illinois · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from M.J. Rhymer Family Nature 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.

Quiet

What runners say about M.J. Rhymer Family Nature Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (14 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“Outstanding place to relax & thank God for all His beautiful creations.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 5 mentions

“Great quiet place to take a walk in nature with a couple of benches and trails defined by mowed grass”

Great quiet place to take a walk in nature with a couple of benches and trails defined by mowed grass

★★★★★ — Anna , Aug 2021

I didn’t really have a lot of time to visit, but if you live in the area and are looking for a secluded place to walk amongst trees or have a picnic lunch, this could be the place for you.

★★★★☆ — Jeff , Aug 2022

Great place for a casual walk, nap on a bench watching the clouds go by, or taking pictures of nature.

★★★★★ — Glenn , Sep 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 14 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.

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 5 mentions

“Great quiet place to take a walk in nature with a couple of benches and trails defined by mowed grass”

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Plan your run at M.J. Rhymer Family Nature Preserve

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.
  • Websitefacebook.com

Hours

Monday 6 am–8 pm
Tuesday 6 am–8 pm
Wednesday 6 am–8 pm
Thursday 6 am–8 pm
Friday 6 am–8 pm
Saturday 6 am–8 pm
Sunday 6 am–8 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 M.J. Rhymer Family Nature Preserve

3210 W Northtown Rd, Normal, IL 61761

Get directions

Running trails near Normal

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

Maxwell Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 395 reviews

Normal, IL

PavedShadedLitDog-friendly

Basketball court in a park known for its disc golf course.

2.8 miles away

Fairview Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 480 reviews

Normal, IL

PavedLitScenic

Park featuring a pool, a splash pad and a playground, plus BBQ grills.

3.3 miles away

Rosa Parks Commons

4.5 ★★★★★ 162 reviews

Normal, IL

Natural surfaceDog-friendly

Park with a playground for kids and fields for soccer.

3.8 miles away

Hidden Creek Nature Sanctuary

4.6 ★★★★★ 229 reviews

Normal, IL

MixedShaded

5.5 wooded acres offer paved trails, resting benches & native wildlife including a butterfly garden.

4.1 miles away

West Interurban Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 5 reviews

Bloomington, IL

4.1 miles away

Fransen Nature Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 58 reviews

Normal, IL

ScenicDog-friendly

Smaller nature reserve featuring trails and a pond with fish, plus prairie-like vegetation.

4.3 miles away

All running trails in Normal, 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.