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Prairie Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 327 Google reviews · Running trail in DeKalb, Illinois · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Prairie 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.
City park in a scenic riverside setting offering bike & hike trails, disc golf & fishing access.
What runners say about Prairie Park
“Clean and open with new (as of spring '17) paved trail plus the best frisbee golf course in the area.”
“This park is filled with beautiful trees walking trails benches to sit standing on the bridge taking pics 📸 of the pond below Bring your family to this park”
“Amazing place for a hike and cycling and it is so serene :)”
Clean and open with new (as of spring '17) paved trail plus the best frisbee golf course in the area. Only wish the trail was longer, but it is linked to the DeKalb Nature trail. Many fishing access points to the Kishwaukee river.
This park is just a short walk from my house. It's also the head of the trail that runs through DeKalb. I often come here to clear my head on busy stressful work days. The greenery is smoothing! All the pines give me a sense of wilderness without actually being in the woods at all.
Full disclosure, my sister made me go here. But when we did, it grew into 3 cars and 14 people, we all had a good time; must have hiked over an hour doing most of the trails. Beautiful flowers and grasses, possibly some weeds but my sister corrected me on this.
People smile and wave/nod. Disc golf, Skateboarding/Walking/Biking path has some good shade with singing birds. It is by the railroad tracks so good to glide on slow inclines. The trail skirts through Northern Illinois University and goes on to Hopkins Park then connect with the Great Western Trail.
Trail conditions & character
“This park is filled with beautiful trees walking trails benches to sit standing on the bridge taking pics 📸 of the pond below Bring your family to this park”
“Clean and open with new (as of spring '17) paved trail plus the best frisbee golf course in the area.”
“Although it's a beautiful park there is very limited parking that I found.”
“Amazing place for a hike and cycling and it is so serene :)”
“Only a small portion of the area(Near the back no less) is composed of land I would characterize as flat and grassy!”
Plan your run at Prairie 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
- 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 — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitedekalbparkdistrict.com
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–7 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–7 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–7 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–7 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–7 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–7 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–7 PM |
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