HomeIllinoisOak Forest › Midlothian Reservoir

Midlothian Reservoir

4.6 ★★★★★ 40 Google reviews · Running trail in Oak Forest, Illinois · Dawn to dusk

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Dawn to dusk

Confirmed from Midlothian Reservoir'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.

PavedScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADARestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

What runners say about Midlothian Reservoir

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (40 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“In a sea of private restrooms, this is a beautiful port-a-potty oasis”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 9 mentions

“A very peaceful and picturesque preserve.”

Love to fish here! Until it rains on you and the middle walkway is a river..wish they would come and make the middle path a little nicer to walk with a stone path or something. Still fun to fish.😁

★★★★★ — Sara , Aug 2023

Love this place for fishing , especially for kids . Good place to relax , enjoy the view , and take a nature hike.

★★★★★ — Charles , Jun 2020

Beautiful scenery! Nice long trail for walking and biking. Very nice to see ppl riding horses along the trail.

★★★★★ — Darquita , Jun 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 40 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 9 mentions

“A very peaceful and picturesque preserve.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 6 mentions

“In a sea of private restrooms, this is a beautiful port-a-potty oasis”

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🚻 Restrooms

“In a sea of private restrooms, this is a beautiful port-a-potty oasis”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

“With the reservoir visible from the large L-shaped parking lot, this forest preserve provides tranquility, even when full.”

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🛣️ Paved surface

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🐕 Dog-friendly

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Stroller / ADA accessible

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Plan your run at Midlothian Reservoir

The practical stuff

  • AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • 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.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Trail mapOfficial trail map
  • Websitefpdcc.com
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 9 am–11 pm
Tuesday 9 am–11 pm
Wednesday 9 am–11 pm
Thursday 9 am–11 pm
Friday 9 am–11 pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

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 Midlothian Reservoir

167th St, Oak Forest, IL 60452

Get directions

Running trails near Oak Forest

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

Oak Forest Heritage Preserve-West

4.7 ★★★★★ 43 reviews

Oak Forest, IL

LoopPavedScenicDog-friendly

under a mile away

St. Mihiel Woods-East

4.5 ★★★★★ 255 reviews

Tinley Park, IL

1 miPavedShadedScenic

Recreation spot with hiking/cycling trails, fishing & picnicking areas in a picturesque setting.

under a mile away

Yankee Woods

4.7 ★★★★★ 132 reviews

Tinley Park, IL

3 miLoopPavedShaded

Relaxed, 3-mile trail for walking, jogging and biking, plus wooded surroundings, picnic tables and a dog park.

under a mile away

Oak Forest Heritage Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ 147 reviews

Oak Forest, IL

1.7 miLoopMixedShaded

A 176.3-acre woodland conservation area steeped in Native American heritage with a 1.7-mile trail.

1.1 miles away

6101 Oak Forest Ave Forest Preserve

3.6 ★★★★☆ 7 reviews

Tinley Park, IL

Dog-friendly

1.3 miles away

Oak Forest Heritage Preserve Trail

5 ★★★★★ 4 reviews

Markham, IL

1.3 miles away

All running trails in Oak Forest, 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.