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The Naperville Riverwalk
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,473 Google reviews · Running trail in Naperville, Illinois · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from The Naperville Riverwalk'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.
Family-friendly green space with scenic trails along the DuPage River, plus fountains and a playground.
What runners say about The Naperville Riverwalk
“We enjoyed a peaceful stroll along the Naperville Riverwalk, with its charming bridges, brick paths, and beautiful landscaping.”
“We enjoyed a peaceful stroll along the Naperville Riverwalk, with its charming bridges, brick paths, and beautiful landscaping.”
“The covered bridges add a lot of ambiance to the area, the walk along the river is paved for easy walking and the water is clear.”
We enjoyed a peaceful stroll along the Naperville Riverwalk, with its charming bridges, brick paths, and beautiful landscaping. The kids loved watching the ducks and tossing pebbles into the DuPage River. It’s a perfect mix of nature and small-town charm—definitely worth a stop.
Great place for long walks. Very ambient atmosphere, many restaurants around. Naperville downtown area is right there. Entire area is just beautiful. There is a forest preserve for runners, dog walkers. There is something special about this place.
I recently visited Naperville Riverwalk park that offered a truly serene and picturesque experience. The park's natural beauty was complemented by well-maintained paths, lush greenery, and tranquil water features. It was an ideal setting for a relaxing day out with friends.
Highly recommend downtown Naperville for anyone that just wants to go to kind of like a crystal fine or take the kids to the park or take the dog outside. You can kayak in the river or paddleboat in the quarry. Or you can learn more about everything in the library, there’s tons of parks in Naperville.
Trail conditions & character
“We enjoyed a peaceful stroll along the Naperville Riverwalk, with its charming bridges, brick paths, and beautiful landscaping.”
“We enjoyed a peaceful stroll along the Naperville Riverwalk, with its charming bridges, brick paths, and beautiful landscaping.”
“Highly recommend downtown Naperville for anyone that just wants to go to kind of like a crystal fine or take the kids to the park or take the dog outside.”
Plan your run at The Naperville Riverwalk
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both 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.
- At the trailheadparking — 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.
- Websitenapervilleparks.org
- Phone+1 630-848-5000
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Naperville
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Riverwalk Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 3,981 reviews
Classic urban park offering a playground, ice rink, trails, horseshoe pit & a paddle boat pier.
Pioneer Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 121 reviews
This riverfront area popular for its wooded & prairie trails also has a picnic shelter & restrooms.
Nike Greenway
5 ★★★★★ 1 reviews
Wildflower Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 77 reviews
Recreational area with picnic tables, a playground, and a lake.
Goodrich Woods
4.6 ★★★★★ 48 reviews
Public space with 13+ acres of dense forestland, marked hiking trails & a parking lot.