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Ray Lake Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 153 Google reviews · Running trail in Mundelein, Illinois · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Loop distance
- 25 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Ray Lake 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.
Natural area with crushed gravel paths for walking, biking, and bird watching.
What runners say about Ray Lake Forest Preserve
“It has a good sized parking lot, a new outhouse style bathroom that is clean and nice.”
“25 mile circle trail around a beautiful well paved track with a few wood bridges along the route.”
“Very pretty and peaceful, but apparently regulars don't pick up after their dogs - the trail edges were loaded with dog poop.”
Trails are pretty wide, good for all you want: hiking, biking, running or simply walking. It's perfect for cooler weather, I would not go there during hot days since no shade. It's certainly very quiet and peaceful, not crowded at all. The parking is not too big but seems to have enough space for everyone.
Absolutely love this forest preserve! So gorgeous and usually uncrowded. So peaceful whether you want to hike, run, bike, etc. There is a loop here of around 2.4 miles plus connected to a lot of other trails to go really far if you wanted.
Great trails that allow you to easily do laps or cross over into other trails like Lakewood. Good sized parking lot, hasn't been overwhelmingly busy any of the saturdays i have been there. Some good elevation changes and pretty scenery.
Ray lake forest preserve is nice 3 mile path. It didn't get too busy and crowded. The trail is wide so bikes can easily ride past you. Have been here twice but will come back again
Trail conditions & character
“25 mile circle trail around a beautiful well paved track with a few wood bridges along the route.”
“Very pretty and peaceful, but apparently regulars don't pick up after their dogs - the trail edges were loaded with dog poop.”
“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Walked into this nature preserve expecting peace and trees 🌳—walked out spiritually audited by a raccoon in the parking lot 🦝.”
“Great parking, We took the Blue loop and connected with the millennium trail.”
“Wide crushed gravel paths through very pleasant rolling hills.”
“Very pretty and peaceful, but apparently regulars don't pick up after their dogs - the trail edges were loaded with dog poop.”
“It has a good sized parking lot, a new outhouse style bathroom that is clean and nice.”
“Wide crushed gravel paths through very pleasant rolling hills.”
“25 mile circle trail around a beautiful well paved track with a few wood bridges along the route.”
Plan your run at Ray Lake Forest Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
- Loop distance25 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitelcfpd.org
- Phone(847) 367-6640
Running trails near Mundelein
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Fort Hill Trail
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