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Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 257 Google reviews · Running trail in Lake Forest, Illinois · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Distance
- 4 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Middlefork Savanna 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.
This nature area features a tallgrass savanna, a 4-mile trail & wildlife such as Blanding's turtles.
What runners say about Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve
“No admission or parking fee, nice playground and bike/hike trail, clean porta potty at trail head, dogs allowed on bike trail only, not too crowded this Sunday afternoon.”
“Beautiful flat path, brought the dogs, expecting to do a loop but dogs aren't allowed on the connecting 'grass trail' because of groundnesting birds, understandably.”
“The scenic, 4-mile crushed gravel trail is very well kept and great for running.”
“I prefer the weekdays when it’s a bit more calm — the adjacent Elawa Farm and market draw a lot of folks out on weekends.”
Beautiful flat path, brought the dogs, expecting to do a loop but dogs aren't allowed on the connecting 'grass trail' because of groundnesting birds, understandably. Before we got on the gravel trail in the open space we took a trail marked 'New Trail' , through the trees. Muddy since it's Spring but we didn't care.
Good trail for walking or biking. End of trail branch out to 2 separate trails: the east and west north shore trails. Love the bridge over the train tracks. Keep an eye out for beautiful herons on the ponds.
Ok place. I’m sure I would’ve liked it more sure my dogs, but they weren’t allowed on many of the paths- which I understand because it was to protect uncommon habitats and nesting birds- consequently we were limited to a bike path. Pretty place with a really interesting variety of environments.
This is truly a fantastic place of incredible ecological value. Substantial plant and animal biodiversity. Great sceneries. However, the main trail is open to bikers who often do not respect the preserve -- they play loud music as if this were a park! This must stop. There are many parks in this area--go there.
Trail conditions & character
“Beautiful flat path, brought the dogs, expecting to do a loop but dogs aren't allowed on the connecting 'grass trail' because of groundnesting birds, understandably.”
“No admission or parking fee, nice playground and bike/hike trail, clean porta potty at trail head, dogs allowed on bike trail only, not too crowded this Sunday afternoon.”
“Middlefork connects to Lake Forest Open Lands, which some trails of the Middlefork gravel parking lot, are Open Lands trails.”
“No admission or parking fee, nice playground and bike/hike trail, clean porta potty at trail head, dogs allowed on bike trail only, not too crowded this Sunday afternoon.”
“Beautiful flat path, brought the dogs, expecting to do a loop but dogs aren't allowed on the connecting 'grass trail' because of groundnesting birds, understandably.”
Plan your run at Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
- Distance4 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
- 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
Running trails near Lake Forest
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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