Home › Illinois › Lake Villa › McDonald Woods Forest Preserve
McDonald Woods Forest Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 364 Google reviews · Running trail in Lake Villa, Illinois · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from McDonald Woods 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.
Forest preserve with rolling green hills plus trails for cross-country skiing, biking & hiking.
What runners say about McDonald Woods Forest Preserve
“There are well maintained paved trails, gravel trails, and my favourite, mulch and dirt trails.”
“I like to search for beautiful places for my running trainings and so far Lake County keeps giving me nothing but amazing landscapes.”
“Plus there are a few different areas to enter the trail system for when you have older dogs and can't walk the entire length around from the main parking lot.”
We love walking the wood chip trail. Just wish there were more like it in the LCFP.
Beautiful!! I'm an avid trail trekker and the trails at McDonald Woods check off all the boxes with a heck of a view. There are well maintained paved trails, gravel trails, and my favourite, mulch and dirt trails. Of note: some of the paths are deceptively hilly so, if you need a super flat walking surface, be aware!
This is such a lovely place to unwind. Beautiful, well-kept trail system, with many options to vary the length of hikes. Gorgeous scenery, and alot of birds and wildlife.
My wife and I went for a beautiful fall walk to recharge or batteries. The scenery was beautiful. We walked the loop of 3 miles. The trail was smooth with no pot holes so it easy walk. We saw quite a few dog walkers. They provide supplies to clean up after pets which is always nice.
Trail conditions & character
“I like to search for beautiful places for my running trainings and so far Lake County keeps giving me nothing but amazing landscapes.”
“There are well maintained paved trails, gravel trails, and my favourite, mulch and dirt trails.”
“There are well maintained paved trails, gravel trails, and my favourite, mulch and dirt trails.”
“Of note: some of the paths are deceptively hilly so, if you need a super flat walking surface, be aware!”
“Yesterday I was going to run the 6k loop so I started fast but the ups and downs of the course made me go for the 5k after all.”
“It’s a heavily wooded area although there isn’t much shade along the path.”
“Wide maintained trails, and a forest path with wood chips (no biking on it please).”
“Of note: some of the paths are deceptively hilly so, if you need a super flat walking surface, be aware!”
Plan your run at McDonald Woods Forest Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- 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.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitelcfpd.org
- Phone+1 847-367-6640
Running trails near Lake Villa
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Forest View Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 60 reviews
Hastings Lake Forest Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 790 reviews
Preserve with 4 mi. of trails through forest, fields & wetlands, plus picnic areas & a playground.
Millennium Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 172 reviews
Park featuring an open space, a playground and a baseball field. Also on-site are picnic tables, sand volleyball courts, basketball hoops and a farm museum.
