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Pine Dunes Forest Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 183 Google reviews · Running trail in Antioch, Illinois · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Boardwalk
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Pine Dunes Forest Preserve'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.
Tranquil, 2.2-mile nature trail for hiking, dog walking, bird-watching, running and biking, with ponds and wetland views.
What runners say about Pine Dunes Forest Preserve
“Is a simple two-mile trail but oa very well maintained and has a great diversity of plants and waterfowl.”
“Rolling prairie with oak popping up and then the wisconsin forest in the background… the views go well beyond the preserve itself and it’s just stunning.”
“Put in this address to take you to the correct location 42909 Hunt Club Rd, Antioch, IL 60002 Quiet early springtime walk.”
“There is plenty of birth on the trail for bikes, dog walkers, runners, and amblers like myself.”
Goggle Maps has wrong directions. Go Edward’s Road after gas stations and turn right on Cty W15 Road. This is one of my favorite preserves. Is a simple two-mile trail but oa very well maintained and has a great diversity of plants and waterfowl. I saw 5 sandhill cranes, two on the ground and three flying.
Pine Dunes is a beautiful trail walk, especially in winter time. There is plenty of birth on the trail for bikes, dog walkers, runners, and amblers like myself. There is excellent terrain diversity and plenty of flora, fauna, and wildlife to draw the attention. We observed lots of conservation efforts as well.
One of my favorite trails. 2.36 miles, beautiful surroundings. Wide path with only a small incline. Lots of parking. Can be mushy after snow or rain, just wait a couple of days for it to dry out.
Pine Dunes forest preserve is ethereal, ephemeral and eternal. A polarity between land and sky where the energy screams of a time long before ours. Your attention is constantly drawn to the horizon where the rolling hills meet the mountain less sky of the prairie.
Trail conditions & character
“Rolling prairie with oak popping up and then the wisconsin forest in the background… the views go well beyond the preserve itself and it’s just stunning.”
“There is plenty of birth on the trail for bikes, dog walkers, runners, and amblers like myself.”
“Your attention is constantly drawn to the horizon where the rolling hills meet the mountain less sky of the prairie.”
“Beautiful place, parking, bathroom, gravel and boardwalk paths, mostly flat.”
“When I get a run to the north Chicago area, I come to the Love's and I definitely use the forest preserve loop for jogging.”
“Overall Relatively flat, some minor hills near the wooded area.”
“Beautiful place, parking, bathroom, gravel and boardwalk paths, mostly flat.”
“Put in this address to take you to the correct location 42909 Hunt Club Rd, Antioch, IL 60002 Quiet early springtime walk.”
“Beautiful place, parking, bathroom, gravel and boardwalk paths, mostly flat.”
“Beautiful place, parking, bathroom, gravel and boardwalk paths, mostly flat.”
“There is a clean bathroom and water fountain with foot shower underneath.”
Plan your run at Pine Dunes Forest Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
- 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.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitelcfpd.org
- Phone+1 847-367-6640
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