HomeIllinoisArlington Heights › Nickol Knoll Park

Nickol Knoll Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 243 Google reviews · Running trail in Arlington Heights, Illinois · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Loop distance
1 mi
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Nickol Knoll Park'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.

Paved1 miLoopScenicStroller / ADAHilly

Scenic par 3 golf course on a hill with views of the Chicago skyline.

What runners say about Nickol Knoll Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (243 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“Nice variation in hole layouts, great practice, very well maintained.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 8 mentions

“Beautiful place for walking, jogging, relaxing, walking pets, playing with kids and so many more.”

It's a nice small park. For runners needed to do Hill repeat training in NW suburbs, this is a great place for it. The outer loop is around 1 mile. The actual hill is about 0.2 mile. The down hill of the hill loop is around 0.15 mile. It makes the hill running smoothly.

★★★★☆ — Calvin , Jul 2021

The perfect location for elopement ceremonies! It's on a scenic hill and on a clear day you can see the Chicago skyline. Nickol Knoll is easily accessible with plenty of parking.

★★★★★ — Hitched , Jun 2023

Beautiful place for walking, jogging, relaxing, walking pets, playing with kids and so many more.

★★★★★ — Sat , Oct 2024

The main golf course is nice. But the walking path around the park/golf course is in need of some work, there are spots in which tree roots have pushed up the asphalt causing lumps and weeds growing up through cracks in the asphalt. There are sections of the curb alongside the path that have buckled.

★★★★☆ — William , Aug 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 243 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.

⛰️ Hills / elevation 14 mentions

“If you're looking for some hills, this is a great place to walk -- Around the perimeter of the golf course, the walking path offers extended climb/descent.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 12 mentions

“Beautiful place for walking, jogging, relaxing, walking pets, playing with kids and so many more.”

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🔁 Loop trail 2 mentions

“The outer loop is around 1 mile.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible

“Nickol Knoll is easily accessible with plenty of parking.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

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Plan your run at Nickol Knoll Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • Loop distance1 mi back to where you parked
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websiteahpd.org
  • Phone+1 847-590-6050
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 6 am–11 pm
Tuesday 6 am–11 pm
Wednesday 6 am–11 pm
Thursday 6 am–11 pm
Friday 6 am–11 pm
Saturday 6 am–11 pm
Sunday 6 am–11 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 Nickol Knoll Park

Arlington Heights, Illinois

Get directions

Running trails near Arlington Heights

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

Lake Terramere Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 114 reviews

Arlington Heights, IL

Scenic

Playground and lake park with swings, slides and picnic tables, ideal for kids.

under a mile away

Buffalo Creek Reservoir

4.7 ★★★★★ 43 reviews

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Scenic

under a mile away

Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 775 reviews

Long Grove, IL

LoopMixedShadedScenic

Scenic parkland offering wildlife viewing, a fishing reservoir & trails for hiking & biking.

under a mile away

Buffalo Grove Park District

4.4 ★★★★☆ 142 reviews

Buffalo Grove, IL

Park with a public restroom, picnic tables, playground, and gym hall, plus weekly activities.

1.2 miles away

Osage Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 119 reviews

Palatine, IL

Green space with 2 or 3 baseball fields, a playground and a gazebo with grills.

1.4 miles away

Willow Stream Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 589 reviews

Buffalo Grove, IL

Scenic

This 54-acre park includes an outdoor pool, basketball & tennis courts, picnic areas & bike paths.

1.4 miles away

All running trails in Arlington Heights, 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.