HomeIllinoisMorton Grove › St. Paul Woods

St. Paul Woods

4.7 ★★★★★ 147 Google reviews · Running trail in Morton Grove, Illinois · Dawn to dusk

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Dawn to dusk

Confirmed from St. Paul Woods' 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.

ScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADARestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

Verdant space ideal for picnics and drives features plenty of picnic benches, plus deer sightings.

What runners say about St. Paul Woods

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (147 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“Paul Woods is a calm, scenic spot ideal for relaxing walks, picnics, and spending time in nature.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 7 mentions

“Paul Woods is a calm, scenic spot ideal for relaxing walks, picnics, and spending time in nature.”

Great place for walking and jogging. If you are lucky enough, you may spot deers in this forest.

★★★★★ — Xinjiang , Jun 2023

SUCH a beautiful place, a wonderful woods, presently with attractive autumn leaves. ... I made a U turn, finding an entrance to this amazing place, exploring it by driving from Dempster entrance to Oakton entrance ... There were quite a few people walking, including a several couples hand in hand, very touching.

★★★★★ — Luke , Nov 2021

St. Paul Woods is a calm, scenic spot ideal for relaxing walks, picnics, and spending time in nature. It's clean, quiet, and great for families or small gatherings. Best of all, barbecuing is allowed, making it a perfect place to grill and unwind in a peaceful setting.

★★★★★ — Alia , Jul 2025

One of the nicest preserves for peaceful walks. A variety of biomes with the open land and ravines. The abundance of deer and birds adds to the value of time well spent here.

★★★★★ — Martin , Jan 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 147 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 7 mentions

“Paul Woods is a calm, scenic spot ideal for relaxing walks, picnics, and spending time in nature.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 6 mentions

“If you're quiet and take the time to look, you'll see deer and other wildlife running about”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 2 mentions

“There is plenty of parking and it’s well maintained.”

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🚻 Restrooms

“Just need more restroom options.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly

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Stroller / ADA accessible

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Plan your run at St. Paul Woods

The practical stuff

  • AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
  • 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, 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
  • Websitefpdcc.com
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Where to find St. Paul Woods

River Dr &, Oakton Street, Morton Grove, IL 60053

Get directions

Running trails near Morton Grove

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

Miami Woods

4.7 ★★★★★ 303 reviews

Morton Grove, IL

PavedScenicDog-friendly

113 acres of restored woodlands & prairies, featuring a 1.5-mile paved path for biking & walking.

under a mile away

Forest Preserves of Cook County

4.7 ★★★★★ 56 reviews

Niles, IL

Scenic

under a mile away

Linne Woods

4.7 ★★★★★ 521 reviews

Morton Grove, IL

MixedScenicDog-friendly

Scenic nature preserve offering wooded jogging, biking & equestrian trails, plus picnic areas.

under a mile away

Bunker Hill Forest Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,135 reviews

Niles, IL

Mixed

Forest preserve with prairie & groves offering hiking & biking paths plus scattered picnic tables.

1.6 miles away

Brooks (Oscar) Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 119 reviews

Chicago, IL

PavedDog-friendly

This site features a rec center with fitness programs, horseshoe pits, tennis courts & ball fields.

1.6 miles away

Laramie Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 318 reviews

Skokie, IL

LitDog-friendly

Park with tennis & volleyball courts, lit sports fields, shelters & a playground.

2.0 miles away

All running trails in Morton 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.