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Pilcher Park Nature Center
4.7 ★★★★★ 828 Google reviews · Running trail in Joliet, Illinois · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Pilcher Park Nature Center'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.
Nature center with displays about local wildlife, picnic grounds & extensive hiking/biking trails.
What runners say about Pilcher Park Nature Center
“Lovely, well maintained trails (many are paved) through mature forest.”
“the nature is beautiful seen a red fox some ducks while walking the trails”
This is an excellent park located in a forest. The lodge has an array of live animals (turtles, snakes, fish, etc). The trails are easy and beautiful. My only critique is the trails are well marked in some areas and not marked at all in others. This did make it hard to find the trail when coming back.
Pilcher Park is a great park to explore. Pilcher Park offers many trails of different lengths to hike down. I felt all my mental uneasiness getting absorbed by the trees on both sides of me as I walked along. Just carry a map with you because the trail markers are often hard to see.
This is such a lovely park! Lots of small trails through the woods, a really nice picnic area, and a delightful little nature center. It was a perfect place to spend a few hours with family.
Nice well kept trails. Alone trails are nice wide and paved, others are narrow not. Fast for all levels of hiking. Stroller friendly also.
Trail conditions & character
“the nature is beautiful seen a red fox some ducks while walking the trails”
“Lovely, well maintained trails (many are paved) through mature forest.”
“My only critique is the trails are well marked in some areas and not marked at all in others.”
Plan your run at Pilcher Park Nature Center
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
- 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.
- Websitejolietpark.org
- Phone(815) 741-7277
Hours
| Monday | 9 AM–3 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM–3 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM–3 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM–3 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM–3 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–3 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–3 PM |
Running trails near Joliet
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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