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North Branch Conservation Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 77 Google reviews · Running trail in Richmond, Illinois · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Distance
- 75 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from North Branch Conservation Area'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.
Open sunrise to sunset, this 521-acre natural area offers hiking, horseback riding, biking, camping, and wildlife-watching.
What runners say about North Branch Conservation Area
“Bathrooms are clean, water fountain is clean and works, their is a nice open clean area with picnic tables.”
“A fun place to take the family for a bike ride or a hike through scenic views.”
“It's a little hilly but quiet and there are bathrooms.”
I often use this as a starting point for a bike or trike ride. I love it. The parking area is kept beautifully as are the trails. It can get kind of busy on the trails but everyone has been very respectful of each other, including the dogs. Nice winding trail with hills & beautiful scenery.
Great nature site. Winding trail is gravel/crushed limestone with some hills. Trailhead has restrooms and plenty of parking, no fees that we noted. Trail connects to north McHenry Prairie Trail going south and Hebron Trail heading west.
Nice place, with plenty of wildlife to watch. The trail's part of the Grand Illinois Trail system and has an area for long distance bicyclists to pull off and set up a tent for the night.
One of my favorite trails to hike on. Flat, easy on the feet, but beautiful views and scenery along the way. I'm glad it connects for such a lengthy distance throughout the county.
Trail conditions & character
“But the view is awesome, the paths are clean, and the bridge over the river is cool.”
“Trail is gravel on hard pack soil, which is great for some, not so much for my wife.”
“Great for biking rolling hills prairie some water deeper in just close to the road so don’t like the noise otherwise great”
“Bathrooms are clean, water fountain is clean and works, their is a nice open clean area with picnic tables.”
“Trailhead has restrooms and plenty of parking, no fees that we noted.”
“It's a little hilly but quiet and there are bathrooms.”
“Flat, easy on the feet, but beautiful views and scenery along the way.”
“Bathrooms are clean, water fountain is clean and works, their is a nice open clean area with picnic tables.”
Plan your run at North Branch Conservation Area
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
- Distance75 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- Websitemccdistrict.org
- Phone(815) 338-6223
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Richmond
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Elizabeth Lake Nature Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 74 reviews
Diverse wetland area with trails open for hiking and running.
Glacial Park Conservation Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 888 reviews
A park set on 3,400 acres of wetlands, prairie & glacial kames, with trails, canoeing & fishing.
Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 403 reviews
Park with a lake offering swimming and boat launches, as well as hiking trails.
