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Paulus Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,062 Google reviews · Running trail in Lake Zurich, Illinois · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Paulus 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.

ScenicRestroomsTrailhead parking

City park jutting into the lake & offering water access, a beach & a children's playground.

What runners say about Paulus Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (1,062 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 10 mentions

“Its just beautiful and very clean, my kids didn’t wanna leave.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 8 mentions

“There are plenty of tables and benches, beautiful trees, and a great view of the water.”

👟 good for all levels 2 mentions

“Family Friendly, kids area, clean beach and water park.”

Family Friendly, kids area, clean beach and water park. Very clean and enough parking. Only beach is not free l, you have to pay for that. Other than every thing is free. It’s a really big and good for walking as well. Well managed. Little crowed but it’s really good place to visit in summer.

★★★★★ — Manish , Aug 2023

We went to The Jack-O’-Lantern with a group of friends, and it was such a fun experience! There are tons of pumpkins and creative displays — really impressive work. You can tell people spent countless hours carving them. The ticket price is very reasonable, and you can grab some drinks while walking around.

★★★★★ — Nazarii , Oct 2025

Had my mom's surprise birthday party at Paulus Park in one of the shelters and it could not have been. More beautiful day! There were newer picnic tables, plenty of space to run around, the beautiful playground, and updated bathrooms!

★★★★★ — Natalie , May 2023

What a great park! Beach, splash pad, walking paths, lovely views, tons of places to picnic. Wish the bathrooms were open before May. Easy parking and turn lane to enter from both directions off of 12. Playground has sections for both younger and older kids. Heard a great end-of-year picnic with DJ there today.

★★★★★ — Kristina , May 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 1,062 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.

🏞️ Scenic views 11 mentions

“There are plenty of tables and benches, beautiful trees, and a great view of the water.”

More trails like this →

🚻 Restrooms 4 mentions

“There were newer picnic tables, plenty of space to run around, the beautiful playground, and updated bathrooms!”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“Easy parking and turn lane to enter from both directions off of 12.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Paulus Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • 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
  • Websitelakezurich.org
  • Phone(847) 438-5146
  • Social Instagram

Hours

Monday 7 AM–8 PM
Tuesday 7 AM–8 PM
Wednesday 7 AM–8 PM
Thursday 7 AM–8 PM
Friday 7 AM–8 PM
Saturday 7 AM–8 PM
Sunday 7 AM–8 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 Paulus Park

200 S Rand Rd, Lake Zurich, IL 60047

Get directions

Running trails near Lake Zurich

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

Oak Ridge Marsh

4.2 ★★★★☆ 11 reviews

Lake Zurich, IL

under a mile away

Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 580 reviews

Deer Park, IL

MixedScenicDog-friendly

Dog-friendly 781-acre nature preserve with hiking/biking trails, picnic tables & wildlife watching.

1.4 miles away

Citizens Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 168 reviews

Barrington, IL

Family park with a large playground, plus basketball and tennis courts and the option to rent a treehouse.

2.4 miles away

Heritage Oaks Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 115 reviews

Hawthorn Woods, IL

Large park featuring tennis and basketball courts, pond, and a baseball field, along with playgrounds.

3.2 miles away

Grassy Lake Forest Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 133 reviews

Lake Barrington, IL

Crushed gravelScenic

This 689-acre nature preserve features a river, scenic overlooks, hiking trails & toilets.

3.8 miles away

Baker's Lake Nature Preserve

4.4 ★★★★☆ 127 reviews

Barrington, IL

ScenicDog-friendly

This 330-acre wildlife refuge features prime birdwatching, a heron rookery & trails.

3.9 miles away

All running trails in Lake Zurich, 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.