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Raceway Woods Forest Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 946 Google reviews · Running trail in Carpentersville, Illinois · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Raceway Woods 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.
Wooded nature preserve offering designated areas for horseback riding, hiking & picnicking.
What runners say about Raceway Woods Forest Preserve
“A little more traffic the last few years especially with the bicyclists but always a beautiful place for a walk with your best friend 🧡”
I’ve been coming here for years during all seasons and it never gets old. The paved trail will definitely give you a workout. There are many trails within the wooded areas, my only suggestion is that you ensure you can hear bikers coming as they ride through them very fast.
Such a fantastic walk! Been a handfull of times now, and it's great each time. Beautiful, not too busy. Challenging enough with the inclines. Love it!
Scenic walk, with a huge variety of greenery. Love this place it's so relaxing. Oh and there are SO many mountain bike paths through the park, those are pretty incredible but not for the faint of heart.
Beautiful hike that’s literally shaped like a raceway from one of your favorite racing games. It’s cool to look back at the map and think Mario Cart or something like that. The first part of the walk is shaded along with some other parts throughout and there are a few hills at the beginning and middle of the trail.
Trail conditions & character
“A little more traffic the last few years especially with the bicyclists but always a beautiful place for a walk with your best friend 🧡”
“The first part of the walk is shaded along with some other parts throughout and there are a few hills at the beginning and middle of the trail.”
“All the walks are paved so it’s great to do after rain when other places might be muddy.”
“There are many trails within the wooded areas, my only suggestion is that you ensure you can hear bikers coming as they ride through them very fast.”
“The trails are a lot of fun, plenty of parking really cool spot”
“excellent singletrack Mountian bike trail system expertly maintained by The Chicago Area Mountain Bikers (Cambr)”
“5 miles loop on the former racetrack with varied terrain but you can ride without tiredness with nice landscapes”
“There is a brick house bathroom in the parking lot off rout 31.”
“I’ve been here numerous times with my dog and it is always a treat.”
“I wish I had brought the stroller with.”
Plan your run at Raceway Woods Forest Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- 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 — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitekaneforest.com
- Phone(630) 232-5980
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–7:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–7:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–7:30 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–7:30 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–7:30 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–7:30 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–7:30 PM |
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