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Roland Olson Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 130 Google reviews · Running trail in Roscoe, Illinois · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Roland Olson 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.
Hiking, bird watching and prairie-restoration area featuring shaded trails.
What runners say about Roland Olson Forest Preserve
“Rode bikes to this preserve specifically to find a water fountain to refill my bottle (there was an old tap pump but it didn't have clean water coming out of it).”
“Beautiful park connected to two wonderful, long, flat trails.”
“The Stone Bridge trail is dirt/gravel through Winnebago County, but if you go west into Boone County it does become paved and is mostly shaded.”
There are an abundance of trails for hiking, walking, running, and even horse back riding. The Stone Bridge trail is dirt/gravel through Winnebago County, but if you go west into Boone County it does become paved and is mostly shaded. If you go into the actual park, those trails are all sand, dirt, or grass.
Went for a 3 mile hike today. I love being surrounded by nature and hearing the birds chirpping. Now's the best time to go because there are few pesky insects to bother you on the trail.
Rode 13 miles on the long prairie trail. One of our favorite bike trails now. Very busy on the weekends so we try to go during the week. Great mostly shaded trail like riding thru a tunnel of trees. Asphalt paved trail once you get to the long prairie trail. The little bit of the stone bridge trail is ok.
Short under 2 miles trails but close to residential area and open year around.
Trail conditions & character
“The Stone Bridge trail is dirt/gravel through Winnebago County, but if you go west into Boone County it does become paved and is mostly shaded.”
“The Stone Bridge trail is dirt/gravel through Winnebago County, but if you go west into Boone County it does become paved and is mostly shaded.”
“Beautiful park connected to two wonderful, long, flat trails.”
“Only drawback is the front parking lot is rather small and usually full by 9am.”
“Beautiful park connected to two wonderful, long, flat trails.”
“Rode bikes to this preserve specifically to find a water fountain to refill my bottle (there was an old tap pump but it didn't have clean water coming out of it).”
Plan your run at Roland Olson Forest Preserve
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.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- Phone+1 815-877-6100
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–9 pm |
Running trails near Roscoe
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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