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Red Oak Nature Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 640 Google reviews · Running trail in North Aurora, Illinois · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Red Oak 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.
This rustic park offers hiking trails & a cave, plus nature programs & events.
What runners say about Red Oak Nature Center
“The trails are well kept, signs are clear and parking was easy.”
“The North Aurora River front park is close-by and it is really gorgeous as well.”
Everything about this place was impressive. We spent most of our time down by the water and at the Cave. The trails are well kept, signs are clear and parking was easy. Highly recommend.
A super cool place on the Fox River, with trails and a cave. They also have live turtles and snakes in their nature center. After the nature center, you could walk up and down the Fox River Trail. There are a lot of cool things to see with views of the river.
So many trails you can walk. There are stairs on certain ones and some of the trails can be a bit steep. The nature center is great. You have wonderful views of the fox River. It is so beautiful in the fall!
Educational nature center with so much fun stuff for the kids! Outdoor nature play area. Nature trails on the Fox River. Bike trail and a small cave to explore.
Trail conditions & character
“The North Aurora River front park is close-by and it is really gorgeous as well.”
Plan your run at Red Oak Nature Center
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- 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 trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
- Websiteredoaknaturecenter.info
- Phone(630) 897-1808
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Tuesday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–2 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
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