HomeIllinoisRiver Grove › River Front Park

River Front Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 256 Google reviews · Running trail in River Grove, Illinois · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from River Front 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.

ScenicStroller / ADAWaterTrailhead parking

Park featuring a playground, picnic tables, and walking trails, as well as summer events.

What runners say about River Front Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (256 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 5 mentions

“The park is a beautiful oasis with well-maintained landscaping and an abundant mix of new and mature trees.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“The park is a beautiful oasis with well-maintained landscaping and an abundant mix of new and mature trees.”

River Front Park is the heart of River Grove. The park is a beautiful oasis with well-maintained landscaping and an abundant mix of new and mature trees. Located alongside the Des Plaines River, it has convenient access to its trail and connections to several forest preserves and other points of interest along it.

★★★★★ — Nathan , Mar 2024

This is a simple playground with lots of nearby parking and a beautiful large field to run in. The beauty is put over the top with the river running along the park. It draws in lots of deer. It's a quaint place to spend the day despite the nearby busy street.

★★★★★ — Gaven , May 2019

Nice park, they remodeled it and it now has a nice fun playground with a little water fountain and a nice path to the woods. Area looks clean, but the is no parking by the grand entrance. Overall very nice and relaxing park.

★★★★★ — Yani , Aug 2022

River was high and overflowing the banks. Enjoyed reminiscing of walking the paths and catching bullfrog.

★★★★★ — Kevin , Apr 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 256 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 8 mentions

“The park is a beautiful oasis with well-maintained landscaping and an abundant mix of new and mature trees.”

More trails like this →

🚰 Water fountains 2 mentions

“Nice park, they remodeled it and it now has a nice fun playground with a little water fountain and a nice path to the woods.”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking 2 mentions

“This is a simple playground with lots of nearby parking and a beautiful large field to run in.”

More trails like this →

Stroller / ADA accessible

More trails like this →

Plan your run at River Front Park

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 trailheadparking, water — reported by runners
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websiterivergroveil.gov
  • Phone(708) 453-8000
  • Social Facebook

Hours

Monday 6 AM–8 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–8 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–8 PM
Thursday 6 AM–8 PM
Friday 6 AM–8 PM
Saturday 6 AM–8 PM
Sunday 6 AM–8 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find River Front Park

8659 W Carey Ave, River Grove, IL 60171

Get directions

Running trails near River Grove

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Latoria Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 24 reviews

Franklin Park, IL

under a mile away

Jerome Huppert Woods

4.6 ★★★★★ 392 reviews

River Grove, IL

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Forested open space along the Des Plaines River, with hiking, wildlife sightings & a picnic shelter.

under a mile away

Evans Field

4.6 ★★★★★ 142 reviews

River Forest, IL

MixedDog-friendly

Wooded preserve featuring wide trails, picnic areas and encounters with birds, deer and other wildlife.

1.3 miles away

Sunset Bridge Meadow

4.5 ★★★★★ 108 reviews

River Grove, IL

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Relaxed area, featuring a scenic trail beside the Des Plaines River and open fields.

1.4 miles away

Schiller Woods-South

4.5 ★★★★★ 312 reviews

Chicago, IL

ScenicDog-friendly

1.6 miles away

Che Che Pin Qua Woods

4.9 ★★★★★ 11 reviews

Chicago, IL

1.7 miles away

All running trails in River Grove, IL →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.