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Shaded Running Trails in Illinois
Illinois has 151 trails with shade and tree cover in this directory, across 101 cities and towns — Bloomington, Bolingbrook, Edwardsville, Rockford and 97 more. Tree cover for summer miles, when an exposed path turns into a heat trap.
Every one in Illinois
Use the filters to narrow these by surface, loop, distance, shade, lighting, restrooms, water and parking.
Starved Rock State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 17,508 reviews
Hiking, fishing & boating in a historic landmark area with canyons & trails plus a lodge & cabins.
Busse Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 5,482 reviews
Lakeside forest retreat offering an elk habitat, a biking trail, boat rentals & large picnic groves.
Pottawatomie Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,135 reviews
Riverside area with full & mini-golf, a pool, boat rentals, a native garden & riverboat cruising.
LaBagh Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,915 reviews
This wooded area is a popular spot for nature observation & offers trails & picnic areas.
Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,344 reviews
Shoreline forest preserve with rolling terrain & trails for hiking, biking & cross-country skiing.
Forest Park Nature Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,142 reviews
Over 500 acres of nature preserve featuring trails, a natural history museum & a bird observatory.
Hidden Lake Forest Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,111 reviews
This tranquil destination features trees & ponds, plus kayaking, fishing, hiking & picnicking.
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.
Moody Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 987 reviews
A wood playground designed with local children & built by volunteers, plus ballfields & picnicking.
Glacial Park Conservation Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 888 reviews
A park set on 3,400 acres of wetlands, prairie & glacial kames, with trails, canoeing & fishing.
Washington Park Botanical Garden
4.7 ★★★★★ 834 reviews
Free garden with seasonal flowers, roses, trees, tropical greenhouses & a glass-domed conservatory.
Hastings Lake Forest Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 790 reviews
Preserve with 4 mi. of trails through forest, fields & wetlands, plus picnic areas & a playground.
Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 775 reviews
Scenic parkland offering wildlife viewing, a fishing reservoir & trails for hiking & biking.
Harms Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 769 reviews
Wooded park bisected by the Chicago River, with paved & unpaved trails, picnic areas & wildlife.
Deicke Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 755 reviews
This 28-acre park features an accessible school-themed playground, a baseball field & more.
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.
Edwardsville Township Community Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 701 reviews
Community park featuring an open grassy field for recreation, plus a playscape & picnic pavilion.
The Watershed Nature Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 636 reviews
Protected forest, prairie & wetland habitat with paved walking trails & an education center.
Rock Springs Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 639 reviews
Large, clean, park with paved paths for dog walking and a playground.
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.
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.
Deerpath Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 540 reviews
Big park featuring fishing lakes, sports fields/courts, 3 playgrounds, a biking path & picnic space.
Grant Woods Forest Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 542 reviews
Natural preserve featuring native plants & wildlife, with multiuse gravel trails & a canoe launch.
McGraw Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 487 reviews
Landscaped park with a playground, splash pad & water fountain, plus soccer & baseball fields.
Anderson Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 453 reviews
Recreation venue with a pool, playground, walking trail, picnic areas, and athletic fields.
Maple Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 455 reviews
Clean park for jogging, walking and picnics, with a playground, tennis courts, baseball fields, and soccer fields, plus a dog park.
Carpenter Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 431 reviews
Basketball court-equipped park featuring a playground and a disc-golf course. Picnic tables are also available.
Kishwaukee River Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 417 reviews
Wooded preserve for picnics featuring the Kishwaukee River, plus hiking and fishing.
Benton City Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 423 reviews
Large, clean family-friendly park offering baseball fields and playgrounds, plus paved trails.
Lakefront Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 415 reviews
Park with a beach, picnic areas, playground, and boat launch on the shore of Round Lake.
Vollmer Road Grove
4.7 ★★★★★ 393 reviews
Nature preserve offering a paved loop trail that's popular for walking, jogging, and cycling.
Maxwell Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 395 reviews
Basketball court in a park known for its disc golf course.
Severson Dells Nature Center
4.7 ★★★★★ 385 reviews
Nature preserve featuring wooded trails traversing bluffs, prairie and a creek with Dells.
Spring Rock Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 381 reviews
40+ acres with a playground, athletic fields, lighted tennis courts, BBQ areas & flower gardens.
Tipton Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 385 reviews
Recreation area with baseball fields & a walking trail, plus a playground & splash park for kids.
McDonald Woods Forest Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 364 reviews
Forest preserve with rolling green hills plus trails for cross-country skiing, biking & hiking.
Orland Grassland
4.6 ★★★★★ 379 reviews
Prairie conservation area with a bike trail & walking paths, plus birdwatching opportunities.
Ewing Park I
4.5 ★★★★★ 361 reviews
Large public area featuring playgrounds, a playground for small children, trails, baseball diamonds and picnic spots.
Searls Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 353 reviews
Large city park with wooded paths & baseball diamonds, popular with dog walkers & joggers.
James Pate Philip State Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 355 reviews
Home to a diverse array of wildlife, this open area offers a visitor center, picnic spots & trails.
Butterfield Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 330 reviews
Various ball fields & courts plus playground, picnic area & recreation center with fitness programs.
Pleasant Ridge Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 343 reviews
Spacious 95-acre park featuring a log cabin built in 1850, plus a playground & picnic facilities.
Reed-Keppler Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 337 reviews
A little of everything, this 89-acre park offers sports fields, playgrounds & a nature sanctuary.
Gordon Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 324 reviews
This community resource with multiple sport courts & fields also features a kids' play area.
Crabtree Nature Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 291 reviews
Nature preserve on 112 acres of woodlands & wetlands offering year-round outdoor recreation.
Little Bear Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 285 reviews
Park with a playground, picnic tables, restrooms, and splash pad, plus a maze and sandbox.
Chain O'Lakes State Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 300 reviews
State park offering a campground, trails, lakes, a playground, and picnicking.
Laderman Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 291 reviews
Tranquil park featuring a playground, swings and sculptures, plus trees, a trail and a soccer field.
Dick Young Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 270 reviews
Peaceful, lakefront area offering wetland, woodland & prairie trails, plus varied plants & animals.
Thaddeus S. "Ted" Lechowicz Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 266 reviews
Wooded riverside park featuring walking/jogging trails & a picnic shelter in a clearing.
Carle Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 271 reviews
This 11-acre park offers walking paths, a playground, a pavilion, a Lincoln statue & more.
DuPage River Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 258 reviews
Wooded, riverfront park offering paved trails, a picnic area & a pond, plus restrooms.
St. Mihiel Woods-East
4.5 ★★★★★ 255 reviews
Recreation spot with hiking/cycling trails, fishing & picnicking areas in a picturesque setting.
Fairfield Park - Round Lake Area Park District
4.8 ★★★★★ 237 reviews
Seasonal outdoor swimming pool with splash pad, interactive nature trail & indoor wildlife exhibits.
Bliss Woods Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 241 reviews
Trails and paths crisscross this wooded park with a pavilion and picnic tables.
Plummer Family Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 237 reviews
Sprawling sports complex with grassy playing fields (including multiple for baseball), plus pickleball courts and concessions.
Pioneer Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 242 reviews
Park featuring baseball and soccer fields, a splash pad and a playground.
Hidden Creek Nature Sanctuary
4.6 ★★★★★ 229 reviews
5.5 wooded acres offer paved trails, resting benches & native wildlife including a butterfly garden.
West Main Community and Bark Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 226 reviews
Spacious, dog-friendly park featuring a baseball field, a disc golf course, swimming holes and agility facilities.
Southern View Community Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 209 reviews
Park and green space featuring playgrounds, baseball fields, and a pond.
Kishwaukee Gorge North Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 199 reviews
Riverside hike in a gorge and forest that features a waterfall and a cave, plus scenic views.
Weigand Riverfront Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 195 reviews
Quaint green space featuring picnic tables & benches, plus hiking trails & a seasonal sledding hill.
Central Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 186 reviews
Large playground-centered park with a splash pad, plus disc golf.
Evergreen Hollow Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 191 reviews
Recreational park featuring a playground, picnic tables, tennis court, baseball field, and mini-golf.
Pine Dunes Forest Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 183 reviews
Tranquil, 2.2-mile nature trail for hiking, dog walking, bird-watching, running and biking, with ponds and wetland views.
Franklin Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 195 reviews
Sandy playground and picnic-table-lined park featuring quiet benches, mature trees and shady spots for relaxing.
Robert C. Porter Family Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 190 reviews
Walking trails, ponds & a kids' playground in a natural setting with a restored prairie area.
Fitchie Creek Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 182 reviews
This wildland habitat with a meandering creek offers multi-use trails & a horseback riding area.
Centennial Trail - Schneider's Passage
4.7 ★★★★★ 177 reviews
Peaceful, paved trail along the Des Plaines River suitable for hiking, biking, and viewing an eagle's nest.
Meadow Valley Park & Dog Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 182 reviews
Park with swings, slides, picnic areas, water pumps and a playground, including a 'tall' one.
Great Western Trail - St. Charles Trail Head
4.8 ★★★★★ 164 reviews
Large nature area with miles-long paths for hiking, biking and running.
Eagle Creek State Park Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 168 reviews
Wooded, lakefront recreation area offering hunting, fishing & camping, plus a golf course & resort.
Ray M. Schon Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 155 reviews
Kids' space with a playground, a pond for fishing and geese, as well as walking trails.
Kiwanis Park
4.1 ★★★★☆ 181 reviews
Recreational area with an 18-hole disc golf course, a lighted softball field, and a playground, plus a skateboard half-pipe.
Ewing Park ll
4.5 ★★★★★ 164 reviews
Kid-friendly park with a playground and baseball fields as well as a wooded area for bird-watching.
Happy Tails Dog Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 160 reviews
Clean park for dogs to run off-leash, with light posts, chairs, fountains, shade and water bowls.
Erickson Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 156 reviews
894-acre nature preserve with boat access & fishing, plus picnic areas, birds & dog-friendly trails.
Salt Creek Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 162 reviews
Park featuring a playground, picnic tables, barbecue grills, and a baseball field.
Deer Run Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 153 reviews
Rambling riverside prairie & forest preserve spanning 594.8 acres with hiking & horse-riding trails.
Mokena Main Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 152 reviews
Clean park featuring baseball fields, playgrounds, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts.
Whitlock Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 157 reviews
In addition to a playground, this park features a jogging trail, athletic fields & a picnic shelter.
Volunteer Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 150 reviews
Popular park offering swings, slides and picnic tables, along with baseball fields.
Brickyards Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 150 reviews
Family-friendly park featuring slides, swings and soccer fields.
Harry Lahood Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 155 reviews
Spacey park featuring playground equipment, a splash pad, and a basketball court.
Elburn Forest Preserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 153 reviews
Wooded nature preserve with winding trails and a grassy landscape, plus shelters for picnics.
Oak Forest Heritage Preserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 147 reviews
A 176.3-acre woodland conservation area steeped in Native American heritage with a 1.7-mile trail.
Alta Rd. Trailhead Rock Island Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 137 reviews
Hiking area with picnic tables and a public restroom, where visitors can also run or bike.
Bierman Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 137 reviews
Public park with picnic tables and a playground, plus a walking path around a scenic lake.
Oldfield Oaks
4.7 ★★★★★ 134 reviews
Wooded spot featuring hiking trails, a dog park and deer sightings.
Metter Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 134 reviews
Park featuring a playground, tennis and pickleball courts, and a library, plus a farmers market.
Busse Woods Grove 27
4.6 ★★★★★ 135 reviews
Large park for hiking, biking and fishing, plus a picnicking area.
Yankee Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 132 reviews
Relaxed, 3-mile trail for walking, jogging and biking, plus wooded surroundings, picnic tables and a dog park.
Roland Olson Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 130 reviews
Hiking, bird watching and prairie-restoration area featuring shaded trails.
Beulah Park Nature Area
4.4 ★★★★☆ 136 reviews
Scenic park featuring a playground, a creek and an open-air trail network for walking and biking.
Illinois River Bluff Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 120 reviews
Rough, hilly hiking trail stretching 7 mi. along the Illinois River bluff from Camp Wokanda to Detweiller Park, with a tunnel under Illinois Route 6.
Happy Tails Dog Park - Buffalo Grove
4.2 ★★★★☆ 136 reviews
Spacious area for dogs to socialize and run, often with divided space for smaller dogs.
Comlara Park Bike Trails
4.7 ★★★★★ 113 reviews
Park for hiking and mountain biking, with a public restroom and a skills area.
Stemler Cave Woods Nature Preserve
4.4 ★★★★☆ 119 reviews
Nature preserve featuring hiking trails, sinkholes, and caves, plus opportunities to spot wildlife.
Tawny Oaks Visitor Center
4.7 ★★★★★ 109 reviews
Scenic woodland featuring hiking trails, picnic tables and a visitors center.
Oak Ridge Forest Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 111 reviews
Nature preserve with walking and equestrian trails, picnic tables, and a restroom.
Whitmore Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 108 reviews
Quiet, wooded place featuring trails, picnic tables and a pavilion, plus BBQs and a playground.
Sycamore Trails Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 115 reviews
Recreational park known for its playground featuring a pirate ship and a swing.
Fridh Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 110 reviews
Large park featuring a playground, plus sand-volleyball and basketball courts.
Jacksonville Community Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 105 reviews
Lush park featuring play areas, athletic courts and open green space for picnics.
Bent Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 103 reviews
Shaded park with an open playground, a soccer field and tennis courts.
Merritt Prairie Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 100 reviews
Beautiful hiking area, where dogs are permitted to roam free.
Blue Heron Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 99 reviews
Popular neighborhood park featuring playgrounds, slides and a fenced-in splash pad.
Echo Point Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 98 reviews
Relaxed park featuring a playground with swings, slides and climbing areas, plus picnic tables.
Kinnikinnick Creek Nature Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 90 reviews
Nature preserve with picnic shelter and trails for horses and hikers, some with water crossings.
Green Lake Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 87 reviews
Public park with a fishing lake, a playground, basketball and tennis courts, and picnic areas.
Old Plank Road Trail - Washington Street Access
4.6 ★★★★★ 84 reviews
Tree-lined hiking area with paved trails for walking, biking, and running.
Hoopers Hollow Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 83 reviews
Paved circuit and dog-friendly hill for dog walks and biking, featuring a playground for slides and swings.
Jay Woods Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 76 reviews
Wooded prairie preserve offering trails for strolls.
Lakeshore Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 79 reviews
Park with a playground for kids, plus a pond for fishing.
Tate Woods Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 79 reviews
Park with basketball, baseball, and tennis courts, and a playground, plus a paved trail.
Greene Valley Forest Preserve West entrance
4.8 ★★★★★ 66 reviews
Effingham TREC Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 62 reviews
Park with paved trails that wind through meadows and woods, over bridges, and alongside rivers.
Wock Family Lake & Walking Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 63 reviews
Popular lake and park known for fishing and for its trail.
Rotary Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 67 reviews
Kid-friendly hiking area with picnic facilities, as well as a launch for kayaking.
Lost Bridge Trail
4.4 ★★★★☆ 66 reviews
Paved walking and biking trail for jogging and hikes in a flat, shady setting.
Marl Flat Forest Preserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 60 reviews
Nature preserve with trails, a pond, and a disc golf course.
Lyon Forest Preserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 51 reviews
Sprawling park featuring boardwalks and a hill offering walking paths and trails through a wooded landscape, plus geocaches.
Goodrich Woods
4.6 ★★★★★ 48 reviews
Public space with 13+ acres of dense forestland, marked hiking trails & a parking lot.
Maple Grove Forest Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 44 reviews
Short trail through a wooded preserve, where red leaves and dappled sunlight create a magical feel.
Lions City Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 45 reviews
Compact park with a playground, plus picnic tables and a pavilion.
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Every running trail in the town, not just the ones with shade and tree cover.
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- Illinois City
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- Joliet
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- Lisle
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- Long Grove
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- Minooka
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- Morris
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- Northbrook
- O'Fallon
- Oak Forest
- Oak Lawn
- Oak Park
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- Southern View
- Spring Grove
- Sugar Grove
- Urbana
- Vernon Hills
- Western Springs
- Willow Springs
- Winnetka
- Woodridge
- Yorkville
- Zion
See shaded running trails across the whole country, or every running trail in Illinois. You can also browse the other features or start from surface.