Home › Illinois › Warrenville › St. James Farm Forest Preserve
St. James Farm Forest Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 983 Google reviews · Running trail in Warrenville, Illinois · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from St. James Farm 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.
Hikers, bikers & horseback riders can explore a protected area of woodlands, prairies & wetlands.
What runners say about St. James Farm Forest Preserve
“There are indoor restrooms on site which are clean and maintained.”
“The peaceful atmosphere and scenic surroundings made it worth the visit.”
“The peaceful atmosphere and scenic surroundings made it worth the visit.”
I like it here. I come here often at least every other day. Usually Sat mornings before 9am. The photo of the lot however was taken on a Sun afternoon. Much busier. It has a path that goes around about 1.6 miles. Half the path is a straight then it curves before it crosses the road and the path continues.
Really a hidden treasure! I came to check out the horse and hound cemetery but decided to check out the preserve trails too! It was really a great place to walk- next time I'll bring my bike!
I love this preserve! They have special events that are fun. The grounds are so nice with a lot of equestrian history. I enjoy visiting the horse and dog cemetery. There is a lot to see and trails to walk. In the past, I attended a lightning bug hike and most recently, a Halloween hike.
Fantastic and beautiful forest preserve. I took my bike there and rode the trails. They are crushed stone and beautifully maintained. The trails are fairly busy by bikers joggers, and dog walkers. There are indoor restrooms on site which are clean and maintained. Dont forget to explore and see the old horse carriages.
Trail conditions & character
“You can run, jog, ride a bicycle, or just walk thru the various paths and enjoy the view.”
“There are indoor restrooms on site which are clean and maintained.”
“There is plenty of free parking and signage to let you know where you are.”
“The trails are fairly busy by bikers joggers, and dog walkers.”
“The peaceful atmosphere and scenic surroundings made it worth the visit.”
“They are crushed stone and beautifully maintained.”
Plan your run at St. James Farm 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
- 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.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- 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.
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitedupageforest.org
- Phone(630) 933-7248
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Warrenville
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Warrenville Grove
4.7 ★★★★★ 271 reviews
Woodland park featuring areas for picnicking & fishing, plus a trail network for hiking & biking.
Herrick Lake Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,947 reviews
885-acre nature preserve with over 5 miles of trails, plus boat rentals & fishing opportunities.
Blackwell Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,701 reviews
Scenic area with 9 miles of trails, picnic sites, fishing & boat rentals, camping, tubing & more.