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Sterne's Woods & Fen
4.8 ★★★★★ 328 Google reviews · Running trail in Crystal Lake, Illinois · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Sterne's Woods & Fen'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.
Preserved forested area with a creek, ponds & walking, biking & cross-country skiing trails.
What runners say about Sterne's Woods & Fen
“It's a beautiful area less traveled than other parks nearby.”
Absolutely love this place. It's deceptive - looks a little boring as you're walking in from the parking lot, but keep going.... Go off the gravel path now and again - you won't regret it. (But please stay on the paths that are already made. Don't make new ones)
This place is great. Trail hopping is fun. Get outside and enjoy this place for yourself. You will thank yourself. Blessings
Always a nice place to lose yourself in the woods. Fabulous back trails that will entice your curiosity!
Nice place. Used to hunt in here back in the 70s for deer, back before the surrounding fen was purchased by the city. I actually grew up adjunct to the property. Rode my horse through the area. Sterns Woods/Fen meets the bike trail and also merges with Veterans Acres park via multiple trails and designed bike trail.
Trail conditions & character
“It's a beautiful area less traveled than other parks nearby.”
“Great place to run or bike if you are into hill training”
“Go off the gravel path now and again - you won't regret it.”
“Paths are mostly dirt and rock there are a few signs and bathrooms but they don't interfere.”
“Paths get muddy and slippery after rain or when snow starts to melt so wear the right shoes.”
“It's deceptive - looks a little boring as you're walking in from the parking lot, but keep going.”
Plan your run at Sterne's Woods & Fen
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- 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
- Websitecrystallakeparks.org
- Phone+1 815-459-0680
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 5:15 am–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 5:15 am–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 5:15 am–8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 5:15 am–8:30 pm |
| Friday | 5:15 am–8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 5:15 am–8:30 pm |
| Sunday | 5:15 am–8:30 pm |
Running trails near Crystal Lake
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Crystal Lake Park District Nature Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 146 reviews
Park-based education center with year-round programs & events including a summer butterfly house.
Veteran Acres Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 957 reviews
Nature center, trails, sports fields, playground & pond featured in a spacious preserve & prairie.
Lippold Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 978 reviews
Public park with ball fields, a disc golf course & a skateboard park, plus ponds & hiking trails.
The Hollows Conservation Area
4.6 ★★★★★ 210 reviews
Recreation & wildlife on 478 acres of varied ecosystems, from prairies to woods to basin marshes.
