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Scenic Running Trails in Illinois
Illinois has 751 trails with scenic views in this directory, across 268 cities and towns — Chicago, Elgin, Rockford, Naperville and 264 more. Waterfronts, overlooks and river loops: the trails that get you out of the door.
The 250 most-reviewed in Illinois
Ranked by local reputation — rating weighted by review count. Use the filters to narrow them, or open a city below for the full local list.
Starved Rock State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 17,508 reviews
Hiking, fishing & boating in a historic landmark area with canyons & trails plus a lodge & cabins.
Garden of the Gods Recreation Area
4.9 ★★★★★ 5,454 reviews
Scenic hiking, camping & picnic area featuring sandstone rock formations & a trail with benches.
Busse Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 5,482 reviews
Lakeside forest retreat offering an elk habitat, a biking trail, boat rentals & large picnic groves.
Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 4,800 reviews
This 4,160-acre park with diverse scenery & wildlife offers camping, fishing, hiking & boating.
Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 4,242 reviews
Wildlife & plant preservation area with glacial potholes, multi-use trails, fishing & picnicking.
Skokie Lagoons
4.7 ★★★★★ 4,088 reviews
Forest preserve consisting of pools, channels & islands, with fishing, kayaking & hiking.
Riverwalk Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 3,981 reviews
Classic urban park offering a playground, ice rink, trails, horseshoe pit & a paddle boat pier.
Independence Grove Forest Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 3,710 reviews
Large park with a 115-acre lake, trails, visitor center with exhibits, amphitheater, marina & cafe.
Swallow Cliff Stairs
4.8 ★★★★★ 3,181 reviews
2 flights of stairs with almost 300 steps in total, forming a loop & popular for cardio workouts.
Sinnissippi Gardens
4.8 ★★★★★ 3,082 reviews
This riverside park features an exhibition hall & gardens showcasing exotic flora, art & sculpture.
Dan Ryan Woods
4.5 ★★★★★ 3,208 reviews
A 257-acre forest preserve with play fields, a popular sledding hill & a paved multi-use trail.
Blackwell Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,701 reviews
Scenic area with 9 miles of trails, picnic sites, fishing & boat rentals, camping, tubing & more.
Lilacia Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,570 reviews
Historic public garden specializing in lilacs (200+ varieties) & tulips (50+), with a picnic area.
The 606
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,198 reviews
Created on a former rail line, this elevated, 2.7 mile landscaped trail draws runners & bikers.
Kankakee River State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,184 reviews
4,000 acres along 11 miles of river for year-round outdoor sporting & recreation plus horse stables.
Pottawatomie Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,135 reviews
Riverside area with full & mini-golf, a pool, boat rentals, a native garden & riverboat cruising.
Dellwood Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,149 reviews
150-acre park with picnic shelters, playgrounds & a disc-golf course, plus athletic fields & trails.
Ferne Clyffe State Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,089 reviews
Scenic 2,430-acre park featuring striking rock formations, fishing, a waterfall & hiking trails.
Gillson Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 2,150 reviews
Expansive reserve with beach access, swimming, sailing, picnicking, fitness trails, dog area & more.
Pere Marquette State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,099 reviews
Lodge & 8,000-acre nature area for water & winter sports, birding, hunting, riding & camping.
Moraine Hills State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,071 reviews
2,200+ acres of glacier-formed park with woods, wetlands & lakes for year-round sports & recreation.
O'Fallon Family Sports Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,985 reviews
Sports park offering on-site parking, 8 ball diamonds, soccer pitches & changing facilities.
Herrick Lake Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,947 reviews
885-acre nature preserve with over 5 miles of trails, plus boat rentals & fishing opportunities.
LaBagh Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,915 reviews
This wooded area is a popular spot for nature observation & offers trails & picnic areas.
Washington Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,866 reviews
Green space featuring a playground, a bell tower, a botanical garden & 2 ponds with ducks & geese.
Horner (Henry) Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,744 reviews
Sizable park with playgrounds, multiple athletic fields, community events & cultural programming.
Schiller Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,677 reviews
Fishing for bass & catfish, plus walking trails, picnic areas & roaming deer in protected woodland.
Lake Arlington
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,647 reviews
Public park offering a lake for fishing and boating, plus a playground and picnic area.
White Pines Forest State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,576 reviews
385-acre forested park with a lodge & camping plus hiking, fishing, picnicking & wildlife.
Mineral Springs Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,606 reviews
Family-friendly green space featuring a playground and an off-leash dog area, as well as fishing and paddling.
Mallard Lake Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,542 reviews
948-acre park with a large lake, forests & wetlands, popular for boating, fishing & hiking.
The Naperville Riverwalk
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,473 reviews
Family-friendly green space with scenic trails along the DuPage River, plus fountains and a playground.
Crystal Lake Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 1,517 reviews
Waterside park featuring seasonal boat rentals, a fishing pier, picnic sites & ball fields.
Perry Farm Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,417 reviews
Vast park with fields, trails & riverside caves, plus a children's museum & a historic farmhouse.
Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,344 reviews
Shoreline forest preserve with rolling terrain & trails for hiking, biking & cross-country skiing.
Fabyan Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,340 reviews
Riverside nature preserve with a museum & historical windmill offering fishing, boating & biking.
Lords Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,311 reviews
108 wooded acres with historic pavilion, museum & zoo plus playing fields, picnicking & water park
The Grove
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,254 reviews
Protected prairie grove at the former home of famed horticulturist & educator, Dr. John Kennicott.
Southwind Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,260 reviews
Accessible 80-acre park with a lake, 5 sensory gardens, a children's playground & sports facilities.
Bowen Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,238 reviews
Flower gardens, forest & an exercise trail, plus a skate park, arts center & local history museum.
Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,235 reviews
1,350 natural acres for fishing, boating, hiking & hunting plus camping, picnicking & winter sports.
Wilson Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 1,282 reviews
Large park featuring baseball diamonds and ice skating, along with a skateboard area.
Miller Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,243 reviews
Zoo, playground, lake and splash pad complex, plus a golf course.
Bloomingdale Trail Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,211 reviews
This 2.7-mile elevated former rail track is open to both cyclists & walkers.
Ty Warner Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,178 reviews
Landscaped area with ballfields, tennis & bocce ball, spray park, trails & outdoor fitness station.
Forest Park Nature Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,142 reviews
Over 500 acres of nature preserve featuring trails, a natural history museum & a bird observatory.
Lake Storey Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 1,163 reviews
Fishing is allowed with a permit at this public park located on the shores of Lake Storey.
Busse Forest Elk Pasture
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,067 reviews
Popular park offering wooded trails for hiking & biking, plus an enclosed pasture with elk.
Hidden Lake Forest Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,111 reviews
This tranquil destination features trees & ponds, plus kayaking, fishing, hiking & picnicking.
Moraine View State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,105 reviews
This 1,687-acre lakefront park has swimming & fishing plus seasonal hunting & cross-country skiing.
Catherine Chevalier Woods
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,097 reviews
This expansive tract features a variety of nature habitats, plus areas for picnicking & hiking.
Paulus Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,062 reviews
City park jutting into the lake & offering water access, a beach & a children's playground.
Nelson Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 1,092 reviews
Spacious city park with a covered pavilion & access to Scovill Zoo & the lake shore.
Baumann Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,043 reviews
Community venue bordered by the Kishwaukee River & containing a lake with fishing.
Century Park Arboretum
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,024 reviews
Little Bear Lake park with fishing, basketball & volleyball courts, a baseball field & a playground.
Gallery Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,017 reviews
A walking/biking path circles a fish-stocked lake at this 140-acre park, which also has ball fields.
St. James Farm Forest Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 983 reviews
Hikers, bikers & horseback riders can explore a protected area of woodlands, prairies & wetlands.
Belvidere Park District
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,002 reviews
Landscaped green space for walking and fishing, with picnic tables, a playground and a dam.
Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 993 reviews
Serene, lakeside park with hiking, cycling, horseback & cross-country ski trails, plus boat launch.
Greene Valley
4.7 ★★★★★ 986 reviews
Massive park with trails for hiking & cross-country skiing, plus picnic areas & camping facilities.
Raceway Woods Forest Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 946 reviews
Wooded nature preserve offering designated areas for horseback riding, hiking & picnicking.
Meadowbrook Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 943 reviews
Extensive area includes a farm, play structure, acres of restored prairie, several gardens & trails.
North Park Village Nature Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 941 reviews
46-acre nature preserve with hiking trails, a birding area & a center with educational programs.
Veteran Acres Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 957 reviews
Nature center, trails, sports fields, playground & pond featured in a spacious preserve & prairie.
Springbrook Prairie
4.7 ★★★★★ 955 reviews
Expansive natural area including meadow & prairie habitat for birds plus running & biking trails.
University of Illinois Arboretum
4.8 ★★★★★ 923 reviews
Lush botanical garden & wedding venue featuring cherry trees & flowering plants.
Lippold Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 978 reviews
Public park with ball fields, a disc golf course & a skateboard park, plus ponds & hiking trails.
Waubonsie Lake Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 914 reviews
Serene park with a lake for fishing, plus biking trails, a playground & waterfront picnic pavilion.
Glacial Park Conservation Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 888 reviews
A park set on 3,400 acres of wetlands, prairie & glacial kames, with trails, canoeing & fishing.
Schwiebert Riverfront Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 919 reviews
Polished community gathering place with water views, a playground, splash pad & outdoor music area.
Arrington Lagoon at Dawes Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 875 reviews
This park pond features fountains & ducks & turns into an ice-skating rink in the winter.
Schaumburg Sculpture Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 895 reviews
Paved and unpaved trails for woodland walks and picnicking, plus sculptures and fountains.
Arthur L. Janura Preserve
4.4 ★★★★☆ 931 reviews
Serene forest preserve offering paved & unpaved trails for walks, hikes, biking & wildlife viewing.
West Ridge Nature Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 858 reviews
Walking, bird-watching & fishing are popular in this lush, outdoor area with a large pond.
Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 876 reviews
Open green space with a tiered river overlook & panoramic views, plus a geyser fountain.
Prairie Lakes Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 856 reviews
Park with a basketball court, baseball field, batting cages, mini-golf, playground, and space for picnicking.
Fairview Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 873 reviews
Vibrant park with a pond & bike trail, plus an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts & a skate park.
Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area
4.5 ★★★★★ 892 reviews
Converted farmland now a 3,300-acre park with camping, hiking & a lake for fishing & water sports.
Mount Saint Mary Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 836 reviews
Multi-use public space with an arboretum, picnic areas, fishing, a skate park & play equipment.
Washington Park Botanical Garden
4.7 ★★★★★ 834 reviews
Free garden with seasonal flowers, roses, trees, tropical greenhouses & a glass-domed conservatory.
Detweiller Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 828 reviews
This 760-acre park features a nature reserve, hiking trails, picnic shelters, sports fields & more.
Pilcher Park Nature Center
4.7 ★★★★★ 828 reviews
Nature center with displays about local wildlife, picnic grounds & extensive hiking/biking trails.
Lombard Park District - Madison Meadow
4.6 ★★★★★ 844 reviews
Scenic recreational area with a small lake offering a disc-golf course, playground & softball field.
Buffalo Rock State Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 880 reviews
Riverside bluff & 290 acres of nature with trails, camping & picnic shelters (1 with fireplace).
Knoch Knolls Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 800 reviews
Park boasting a nature center and disc golf, along with paved and dirt trails.
McDowell Grove Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 813 reviews
This 465-acre wooded area has multi-use trails & recreation such as fishing, boating & picnicking.
Hastings Lake Forest Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 790 reviews
Preserve with 4 mi. of trails through forest, fields & wetlands, plus picnic areas & a playground.
Ben Butterworth Parkway West
4.6 ★★★★★ 813 reviews
50-acre park offering a fishing pier, boat launch & playground, plus picnic shelters & paved trails.
Deer Grove East
4.7 ★★★★★ 790 reviews
1,500-acre preserve offering miles of trails for runners, cyclists & cross-country skiiing.
Gordon F. Moore Community Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 804 reviews
Sprawling park with golf, tennis & baseball facilities & landscaped gardens over 704 acres.
Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 775 reviews
Scenic parkland offering wildlife viewing, a fishing reservoir & trails for hiking & biking.
Katherine Legge Memorial Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 773 reviews
Featuring a 1927 English-style structure, this park also offers a playground & areas for sports.
Half Day Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 770 reviews
Scenic preserve featuring picnic shelters, pond fishing & areas for viewing migratory songbirds.
Old School Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 770 reviews
A 543-acre reserve with trails & picnic shelters known for biking, cross country skiing & fishing.
Harms Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 769 reviews
Wooded park bisected by the Chicago River, with paved & unpaved trails, picnic areas & wildlife.
Lincoln Memorial Garden and Nature Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 746 reviews
100-acre woodland & prairie garden honoring Abraham Lincoln, with trails, bridges & a pond.
Cicero Community Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 778 reviews
Relaxed park with walking paths, a skating rink & events like concerts, carnivals & movie nights.
Deicke Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 755 reviews
This 28-acre park features an accessible school-themed playground, a baseball field & more.
Thatcher Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 753 reviews
245 acres of floodplain woodlands with a natural history museum & an unmarked trail system.
Forest Preserves of Cook County
4.5 ★★★★★ 781 reviews
Wooded locale for hiking, picnics and kite flying, also home to deer and hawks.
Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 738 reviews
Wildlife-filled prairie preserve on 1,200 acres with trails, seed library & snowmobiling in winter.
West Side Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 754 reviews
Grassy outdoor activity area with a pavilion & picnic tables, plus walking paths & a water fountain.
Randall Oaks Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 736 reviews
141-acre park with a petting zoo, picnic spaces, playgrounds & areas for horseshoes & disc golf.
Emricson Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 726 reviews
Spacious park featuring a pool, playgrounds, ponds, trails, volleyball and baseball fields.
Peck Farm Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 709 reviews
Expansive park with biking trails, picnic areas, a nature center, sports fields & an amphitheater.
Channahon State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 722 reviews
Historic canal views, a restored locktender's house & tours, plus trails, fishing & canoeing.
Oakhurst Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 702 reviews
This large marsh with lake offers wildlife viewing, fishing, picnic areas, a boat launch & trails.
Patriots Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 696 reviews
Unassuming spot with nature trails, a pond for non-motorized boats & kids' play areas.
Forest Glen Woods
4.6 ★★★★★ 707 reviews
Nature & recreation area featuring paths amid woods & wildlife, plus a picnic pavilion.
Bicentennial Riverfront Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 705 reviews
Park alongside the River Fox, featuring rapids, a playground and picnic tables.
Wilder Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 676 reviews
Popular public space comprised of museums, formal gardens, play & picnic areas, sport courts & more.
Nippersink Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 667 reviews
Scenic preserve with lakes, woodlands & marshes, popular for hiking, picnics & wildlife viewing.
Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 653 reviews
Nature education center featuring a woolly mammoth skeleton, microscopes, and spotting scopes.
Greenbelt Forest Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 680 reviews
Urban oasis featuring fishing, a summer farmers' market & miles of hiking & biking trails.
Wolfe Wildlife Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 679 reviews
Wetlands wildlife habitat with walking/biking trails, a viewing deck & year-round nature programs.
Fox River Shores Forest Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 676 reviews
Lush riverside nature preserve featuring a boat launch, bike trail & a picnic shelter.
Red Oak Nature Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 640 reviews
This rustic park offers hiking trails & a cave, plus nature programs & events.
The Watershed Nature Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 636 reviews
Protected forest, prairie & wetland habitat with paved walking trails & an education center.
Wampum Lake
4.5 ★★★★★ 675 reviews
Lush lakefront park & well-known fishing destination, with grassy areas for picnics & sports.
Rock Springs Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 639 reviews
Large, clean, park with paved paths for dog walking and a playground.
West Branch Forest Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 644 reviews
Meadow, wetlands, forest & prairie preserve offers trails, fishing, wildlife viewing & picnic areas.
Volkening Lake
4.6 ★★★★★ 640 reviews
Public recreation area with boat rentals, fishing & picnic spots, along with a concession stand.
Captain Daniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 605 reviews
Wooded reserve sprawling 750 acres, with a lake for fishing & trails for hiking, biking & riding.
Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 602 reviews
Quiet nature preserve offering picnic tables and campsites, plus trails for hiking, sledding and horseback riding.
Wood Oaks Green Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 611 reviews
Public park with picnic areas, a playground, tennis courts, a pond, and walking paths.
Drost Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 610 reviews
Kid-friendly park featuring a lake and gardens with hiking and biking trails. Picnic tables and pavilions are sprinkled throughout, and a playground, fishing access and a dog park are also available.
Brownell Woods
4.3 ★★★★☆ 665 reviews
Nature area popular for its woodsy trails, mountain biking tracks & BBQ spots, plus creek fishing.
Fox Ridge State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 606 reviews
Scenic 2,064-acre park with hiking trails through wooded ridges & valleys, plus camping & fishing.
Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 606 reviews
Large preserve offers hiking & snowshoeing nature trails with diverse wildlife & a small farm area.
Knoch Knolls Nature Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 583 reviews
Nature center with kid-oriented exhibits, including an aquarium, live animals & a playground.
Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 608 reviews
Narrow 2-mile expanse of landscaped walkways & bike trails displaying 60+ sculptures of all types.
James Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 602 reviews
Urban recreation area offering a playground, athletic fields, basketball & tennis courts & gardens.
Johnson Sauk Trail State Recreation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 586 reviews
Recreational spot featuring many campsites along with a lake for fishing and hiking.
Yukich Field
4.6 ★★★★★ 598 reviews
Relaxed park featuring ponds and a 0.8-mile jogging route (with 2 other paths) that wraps around soccer and baseball fields.
Wood Dale Grove Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 585 reviews
Family-friendly nature reserve featuring an easy trail around a pond and forest.
Loud Thunder Forest Preserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 607 reviews
Park with hiking trails and camping that’s also a popular fishing spot.
Potawatomi Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 581 reviews
This grassy & wooded area provides trails, a picnic area & water access for fishing.
Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 580 reviews
Dog-friendly 781-acre nature preserve with hiking/biking trails, picnic tables & wildlife watching.
Centralia Foundation Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 577 reviews
Calm, clean and natural park with woodland trails, picnic tables and barbecues, plus disc golf.
Willow Stream Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 589 reviews
This 54-acre park includes an outdoor pool, basketball & tennis courts, picnic areas & bike paths.
Settlers' Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 570 reviews
Scenic park featuring open lawns, a playground, an amphitheater and a paved path around a pond.
Morrison Rockwood State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 581 reviews
Nearly 1,200 acres of green space with hiking & camping, plus boating & fishing on Lake Carlton.
Big Marsh Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 565 reviews
280.13-acre open space with an off-road bike park, nature areas for bird watching & hiking trails.
Illiniwek Forest Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 577 reviews
Riverside park with trails for hiking and biking, a lookout, and a campground.
Prospect Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 572 reviews
Recreation spot with a kids' playground, walking trails & a fishing pond, plus disc golf & baseball.
Blackhawk Springs Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 558 reviews
Sprawling natural area with hiking trails, picnic tables, ball fields & a playground.
Bode Lake
4.6 ★★★★★ 566 reviews
Lake park featuring a loop trail, fishing, hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing & other activities.
Volkening Heritage Farm at Spring Valley
4.8 ★★★★★ 541 reviews
Open-air museum on an 1880s German farm with a farmhouse and livestock, plus educational programs.
Deerpath Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 540 reviews
Big park featuring fishing lakes, sports fields/courts, 3 playgrounds, a biking path & picnic space.
Taylor Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 538 reviews
Nature preserve with a playground and tennis courts, as well as opportunities for sledding.
Grant Woods Forest Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 542 reviews
Natural preserve featuring native plants & wildlife, with multiuse gravel trails & a canoe launch.
William G. Stratton State Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 553 reviews
Public park with a boat launch and picnic areas, plus peaceful views of the lake.
Swallow Cliff Woods-North
4.8 ★★★★★ 518 reviews
Public park providing a restroom and picnic tables, plus trails for hiking, walking, and biking.
Lowell Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 522 reviews
Sprawling park featuring a riverfront, trails, shelters and playgrounds.
Linne Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 521 reviews
Scenic nature preserve offering wooded jogging, biking & equestrian trails, plus picnic areas.
Rubio Woods
4.6 ★★★★★ 532 reviews
Scenic open space with cycling/walking paths, a picnic grove & deer & other local wildlife.
Martin Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 552 reviews
City park with a boat ramp and a playground for kids plus picnic tables and BBQ grills.
Rock Springs Conservation Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 502 reviews
Nature center with a museum exhibit and educational displays featuring the region's flora and fauna.
Windmont Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 511 reviews
Relaxed lakefront park featuring picnic tables, swings, kid-friendly play areas and sports courts.
Schiller Woods-East
4.7 ★★★★★ 510 reviews
Nature preserve featuring forests, a public restroom, picnic tables, and kid-friendly hikes.
Funks Grove Nature Spaces
4.8 ★★★★★ 497 reviews
Relaxed preserve with a nature center and playground with a sandbox and stream.
North Aurora Island Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 518 reviews
Island recreation area featuring playgrounds and bike trails, plus river access.
Hononegah Forest Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 516 reviews
Woodlands on the Rock River with sports fields & a boat launch, plus picnic shelters & campsites.
Horseshoe Lake State Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 537 reviews
2,960 acres with picnic shelters & playgrounds for outdoor & water sports, bird-watching & camping.
East Branch Forest Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 509 reviews
This natural resource features 525 acres of wetlands, plus areas for fishing, picnicking & dogs.
Meacham Grove Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 496 reviews
Protected woodland groves, meadows & wetlands along the meandering Spring Brook Creek.
Churchill Woods
4.5 ★★★★★ 516 reviews
This restored prairie habitat features endangered bird species, plus trails for hiking & biking.
Four Seasons Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 503 reviews
Serene park featuring soccer fields, playgrounds and picnic areas, along with a pond.
Veterans Memorial Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 490 reviews
Playground and picnic site known for baseball, gazebos, a pond and a scenic water feature.
Brookfield Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 488 reviews
Nature preserve with bike trails, jogging paths, and picnic tables where wildlife can be seen.
McGraw Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 487 reviews
Landscaped park with a playground, splash pad & water fountain, plus soccer & baseball fields.
Fox River Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 486 reviews
Popular nature preserve with trails, picnic areas, a boat launch, and fishing spots.
Robert E Glazebrook Community Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 484 reviews
140-acre community park with walking trails, ponds & soccer fields, plus playgrounds & a gazebo.
Douglas-Hart Nature Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 468 reviews
Informal park with a playground, trails, a visitor center and ponds featuring turtles and birds.
Midlothian Meadows
4.5 ★★★★★ 498 reviews
Sprawling woodland preserve offers various hiking & biking trails & paved paths, plus picnic areas.
Hickory Creek Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 474 reviews
Beyond its grassy expanses, this charming preserve features scenic hikes & ski trails.
Rosewood Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 491 reviews
Bustling beach area with sheltered swimming coves, a playground & a boardwalk promenade.
Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 470 reviews
Nature preserve on the Fox River with hiking trails, a boat launch, picnic areas & historic sites.
Fairview Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 480 reviews
Park featuring a pool, a splash pad and a playground, plus BBQ grills.
Kimball Hill Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 467 reviews
Ball fields, a fishing & skating pond & picnic areas highlight this community park with bike trails.
Sylvan Island
4.6 ★★★★★ 477 reviews
Former industrial site by the water, offering crushed limestone hiking trails & dirt bike paths.
Route 66 Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 498 reviews
Theme spot saluting the famed highway & The Blues Brothers with an old-time ice cream stand & paths.
Castle Rock State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 475 reviews
2,000 acres of river sports, trails & camping amid a nature preserve, bluffs, ravines & noted butte.
Breidert Green Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 474 reviews
Popular town park with a playground, a fountain, a gazebo and swings, plus a farmers market.
Island Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 463 reviews
Scenic waterfront park offering a treehouse-themed playground & a picnic pavilion.
Lakewood Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 460 reviews
Preserve offering trails for hiking, horseback riding & winter recreation, plus a dog park & pond.
Jackson Falls
4.6 ★★★★★ 468 reviews
Popular 2-mile trail featuring a scenic waterfall and steep canyon walls for climbing and hiking.
Salt Lick Point Land and Water Reserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 442 reviews
Hiking and walking trails along bluffs, with views of the Mississippi floodplains, plus some caves.
Fairview Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 463 reviews
Park with a playground, picnic areas, and facilities for baseball, basketball, tennis, and skateboarding.
Wolf Road Woods
4.8 ★★★★★ 432 reviews
Hilly forest preserve offering biking and hiking trails for all levels, plus picnic areas.
White Oak Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 458 reviews
Modest open space with sports facilities & a playground, plus a paved track around a lake.
Chippewa Woods
4.6 ★★★★★ 448 reviews
This forest preserve offers a picnic grove with a shelter along with wildlife & a fishing lake.
Woodland Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 456 reviews
Recreational park with playgrounds, picnic shelters, a pond, disc golf, baseball fields, and hiking trails.
Lovelace Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 446 reviews
Park of flowering pear trees & open spaces, with tennis courts, sports fields & a playground.
Centennial Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 444 reviews
Tranquil nature area featuring trails for walking, picnics and biking, plus a playground.
Big Rock Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 431 reviews
Woodland, marsh & prairie make up this 840-acre preserve with camping, hiking & horseback riding.
Lake Renwick Preserve - Turtle Lake Access
4.6 ★★★★★ 440 reviews
Scenic forest preserve featuring walking trails, fishing and serene lakes.
The Lakefill
4.9 ★★★★★ 413 reviews
Park near Northwestern University on the shores of Lake Michigan offering lake views, biking and jogging trails.
Moorman Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 428 reviews
Park, also featuring a playground, for baseball, basketball and volleyball games, plus picnic spots and miniature golf.
Heron Creek Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 426 reviews
242-acre nature preserve featuring 2.3 miles of trails, a playground & over 100 species of birds.
Lincoln Marsh
4.7 ★★★★★ 423 reviews
This urban oasis with woodlands, prairies & more provides recreational & educational activities.
Carpenter Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 431 reviews
Basketball court-equipped park featuring a playground and a disc-golf course. Picnic tables are also available.
Lake Renwick Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 418 reviews
This 839-acre wetland features bird nesting areas, trails & mounted scopes for wildlife viewing.
Kishwaukee River Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 417 reviews
Wooded preserve for picnics featuring the Kishwaukee River, plus hiking and fishing.
Sinnissippi Park and Native American Mounds
4.7 ★★★★★ 417 reviews
Relaxed park for frisbee, playground & baseball activities, plus picnic shelters.
Songbird Slough
4.5 ★★★★★ 435 reviews
393-acre secluded preserve offering picnic space & a trail amid wetlands, fishing ponds & prairies.
Redmond Reservoir
4.6 ★★★★★ 424 reviews
Recreational park offering a jogging trail around a large pond, a playground, and fields.
Mt Vernon City Park Office
4.3 ★★★★☆ 453 reviews
Large outdoor area featuring play units, picnic tables and walking trails, plus several types of birds.
Danada Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 414 reviews
Nature preserve offering a lake with fishing, an equestrian center & trails through varied habitats.
Benton City Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 423 reviews
Large, clean family-friendly park offering baseball fields and playgrounds, plus paved trails.
Donovan Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 422 reviews
Tranquil parkland featuring cross-country skiing in the wintertime & the Northmoor Observatory.
Dawes Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 402 reviews
Relaxing green space with walking trails, a beach and a pond, plus views of Lake Michigan and Northwestern campus.
Warren Township Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 402 reviews
Basketball courts and skateboard park among the amenities at this family-friendly park, featuring playgrounds and baseball fields.
Armstrong Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 436 reviews
Park featuring sports fields, playgrounds and a floor hockey rink.
Brezina Woods
4.6 ★★★★★ 406 reviews
State park features forested areas, a creek & a system of trails for hiking, biking & horse riding.
Lakefront Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 415 reviews
Park with a beach, picnic areas, playground, and boat launch on the shore of Round Lake.
Jones Island Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 405 reviews
Grays Lake park featuring a beach, a playground, volleyball courts, and picnic shelters.
Lincoln Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 411 reviews
Family-friendly park featuring picnic shelters, a swimming pool, fishing ponds and playgrounds.
Vollmer Road Grove
4.7 ★★★★★ 393 reviews
Nature preserve offering a paved loop trail that's popular for walking, jogging, and cycling.
Severson Dells Nature Center
4.7 ★★★★★ 385 reviews
Nature preserve featuring wooded trails traversing bluffs, prairie and a creek with Dells.
SEPA Station 4 Waterfall Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 393 reviews
Waterfall park for walks and taking photos.
Centennial Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 393 reviews
Park featuring a playground, athletic fields, and a skateboarding area, plus picnic tables.
Jerome Huppert Woods
4.6 ★★★★★ 392 reviews
Forested open space along the Des Plaines River, with hiking, wildlife sightings & a picnic shelter.
Spring Rock Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 381 reviews
40+ acres with a playground, athletic fields, lighted tennis courts, BBQ areas & flower gardens.
Henry A. Proesel Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 383 reviews
Park with baseball and basketball courts, a pool, picnic areas, and skating rink.
Spencer Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 382 reviews
Scenic park with a fish-stocked pond, ball fields & picnic shelters, plus trails with wooded areas.
McDonald Woods Forest Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 364 reviews
Forest preserve with rolling green hills plus trails for cross-country skiing, biking & hiking.
Fox River Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 388 reviews
Riverfront area with scenic natural views, beach, pool with splash area & disc golf course.
Orland Grassland
4.6 ★★★★★ 379 reviews
Prairie conservation area with a bike trail & walking paths, plus birdwatching opportunities.
Indian Caves
4.8 ★★★★★ 361 reviews
Cave, waterfall and river haven with walking and biking trails and a playground.
Spring Lake Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 374 reviews
Waterfront green space with baseball & soccer fields, walking trails, picnic areas & a playground.
North Dunes Nature Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 372 reviews
Large waterfront preserve featuring beaches, trails through diverse landscapes & an array of birds.
50-Acre Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 359 reviews
Free park featuring dog-friendly areas, ponds, walking paths and frisbee golf courses, plus a barn, riding ponies, horses and chickens.
Washington County State Recreation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 359 reviews
Peaceful, clean park featuring a lake that permits non-motorized boating plus cabins and campsites.
Three Springs Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 363 reviews
Children's park, with playgrounds, a golf course, basketball courts, tennis courts and a lake.
McCullough Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 374 reviews
Riverfront, spacious park featuring a playground, soccer nets, free sports programs and picnic tables.
Hadley Valley - Gougar Road Access
4.6 ★★★★★ 355 reviews
726-acre nature preserve with wildlife & a multi-use trail, plus a picnic shelter & trailer parking.
Brunner Family Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 346 reviews
Large nature preserve with trails amid woodlands & wetlands, plus a farm store with local products.
Ewing Park I
4.5 ★★★★★ 361 reviews
Large public area featuring playgrounds, a playground for small children, trails, baseball diamonds and picnic spots.
Lakefront Trail - North Trailhead - Ardmore Ave - 5800 N
4.8 ★★★★★ 338 reviews
Cycling lanes, picnic areas, and a beach highlight this park featuring a lake for swimming and kid-friendly hikes.
Commissioners Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 360 reviews
Pet-friendly space featuring a playground, volleyball courts and soccer pitches, plus picnic tables.
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See scenic running trails across the whole country, or every running trail in Illinois. You can also browse the other features or start from surface.