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Quiet, Uncrowded Trails in Illinois
Illinois has 425 trails with quiet, uncrowded running in this directory, across 206 cities and towns — Chicago, Elgin, Naperville, Rockford and 202 more. Room to run intervals without weaving through walkers and bikes.
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.
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.
Lilacia Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,570 reviews
Historic public garden specializing in lilacs (200+ varieties) & tulips (50+), with a picnic area.
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.
Ferne Clyffe State Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,089 reviews
Scenic 2,430-acre park featuring striking rock formations, fishing, a waterfall & hiking trails.
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.
Herrick Lake Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,947 reviews
885-acre nature preserve with over 5 miles of trails, plus boat rentals & fishing opportunities.
Horner (Henry) Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,744 reviews
Sizable park with playgrounds, multiple athletic fields, community events & cultural programming.
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.
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.
The Grove
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,254 reviews
Protected prairie grove at the former home of famed horticulturist & educator, Dr. John Kennicott.
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.
Miller Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,243 reviews
Zoo, playground, lake and splash pad complex, plus a golf course.
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.
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.
Century Park Arboretum
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,024 reviews
Little Bear Lake park with fishing, basketball & volleyball courts, a baseball field & a playground.
St. James Farm Forest Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 983 reviews
Hikers, bikers & horseback riders can explore a protected area of woodlands, prairies & wetlands.
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.
North Park Village Nature Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 941 reviews
46-acre nature preserve with hiking trails, a birding area & a center with educational programs.
University of Illinois Arboretum
4.8 ★★★★★ 923 reviews
Lush botanical garden & wedding venue featuring cherry trees & flowering plants.
Waubonsie Lake Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 914 reviews
Serene park with a lake for fishing, plus biking trails, a playground & waterfront picnic pavilion.
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.
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.
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.
Buffalo Rock State Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 880 reviews
Riverside bluff & 290 acres of nature with trails, camping & picnic shelters (1 with fireplace).
McDowell Grove Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 813 reviews
This 465-acre wooded area has multi-use trails & recreation such as fishing, boating & picnicking.
Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 775 reviews
Scenic parkland offering wildlife viewing, a fishing reservoir & trails for hiking & biking.
Old School Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 770 reviews
A 543-acre reserve with trails & picnic shelters known for biking, cross country skiing & fishing.
Lincoln Memorial Garden and Nature Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 746 reviews
100-acre woodland & prairie garden honoring Abraham Lincoln, with trails, bridges & a pond.
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.
Randall Oaks Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 736 reviews
141-acre park with a petting zoo, picnic spaces, playgrounds & areas for horseshoes & disc golf.
Patriots Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 696 reviews
Unassuming spot with nature trails, a pond for non-motorized boats & kids' play areas.
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.
Fox River Shores Forest Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 676 reviews
Lush riverside nature preserve featuring a boat launch, bike trail & a picnic shelter.
Wampum Lake
4.5 ★★★★★ 675 reviews
Lush lakefront park & well-known fishing destination, with grassy areas for picnics & sports.
Eggers Grove
4.5 ★★★★★ 665 reviews
Vibrant nature park featuring hiking paths, marshes, waterfowl, picnic spots & open spaces.
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.
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.
Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 608 reviews
Narrow 2-mile expanse of landscaped walkways & bike trails displaying 60+ sculptures of all types.
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.
Loud Thunder Forest Preserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 607 reviews
Park with hiking trails and camping that’s also a popular fishing spot.
Centralia Foundation Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 577 reviews
Calm, clean and natural park with woodland trails, picnic tables and barbecues, plus disc golf.
Settlers' Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 570 reviews
Scenic park featuring open lawns, a playground, an amphitheater and a paved path around a pond.
Grant Woods Forest Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 542 reviews
Natural preserve featuring native plants & wildlife, with multiuse gravel trails & a canoe launch.
Swallow Cliff Woods-North
4.8 ★★★★★ 518 reviews
Public park providing a restroom and picnic tables, plus trails for hiking, walking, and biking.
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.
Emily Oaks Nature Center
4.7 ★★★★★ 518 reviews
Indoor nature center featuring interactive exhibits, classrooms, a playground, a garden & more.
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.
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.
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.
Midlothian Meadows
4.5 ★★★★★ 498 reviews
Sprawling woodland preserve offers various hiking & biking trails & paved paths, plus picnic areas.
Rosewood Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 491 reviews
Bustling beach area with sheltered swimming coves, a playground & a boardwalk promenade.
Castle Rock State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 475 reviews
2,000 acres of river sports, trails & camping amid a nature preserve, bluffs, ravines & noted butte.
Jackson Falls
4.6 ★★★★★ 468 reviews
Popular 2-mile trail featuring a scenic waterfall and steep canyon walls for climbing and hiking.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Danada Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 414 reviews
Nature preserve offering a lake with fishing, an equestrian center & trails through varied habitats.
Barrie Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 423 reviews
Recreational areas featuring swings, slides and ballfields for baseball and soccer.
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.
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.
Spencer Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 382 reviews
Scenic park with a fish-stocked pond, ball fields & picnic shelters, plus trails with wooded areas.
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.
North Dunes Nature Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 372 reviews
Large waterfront preserve featuring beaches, trails through diverse landscapes & an array of birds.
Washington County State Recreation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 359 reviews
Peaceful, clean park featuring a lake that permits non-motorized boating plus cabins and campsites.
Dam No. 1 Woods East
4.6 ★★★★★ 366 reviews
Natural area featuring wooded walking trails, open spaces & local wildlife.
Spring Creek Reservoir
4.5 ★★★★★ 366 reviews
Scenic 90-acre nature preserve featuring a paved trail, picnic tables & a reservoir for fishing.
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.
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.
Cermak Woods
4.4 ★★★★☆ 368 reviews
Tree-filled hub offering an aquatic center, hiking, fishing, biking & other recreational activities.
Centennial Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 348 reviews
Lake and ponds with walking trails surrounding them. There’s also fishing, picnic areas and playgrounds.
Palos Park Woods-North
4.7 ★★★★★ 340 reviews
Large forested area offering many multiuse trails, picnic space, boating, fishing & wildlife views.
Pleasant Ridge Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 343 reviews
Spacious 95-acre park featuring a log cabin built in 1850, plus a playground & picnic facilities.
Ellsworth Park
4.1 ★★★★☆ 380 reviews
Park with fishing on the Vermilion River, sports fields & courts, picnic areas & a playground.
Cene's Four Seasons Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 338 reviews
Community park with a playground, plus basketball and tennis courts.
John M Olin Nature Preserve (Nature Institute)
4.7 ★★★★★ 329 reviews
Steep limestone bluffs, sinkholes, and other karst formations are highlights of this preserve with varied hiking trails.
Riverview Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 334 reviews
Park featuring a gazebo and sweeping riverfront views, plus a serene atmosphere.
Prairie Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 327 reviews
City park in a scenic riverside setting offering bike & hike trails, disc golf & fishing access.
Franklin Creek State Natural Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 307 reviews
Clean park featuring a grist mill, winding trails and playgrounds, plus picnic tables.
Isle a la Cache Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 305 reviews
101-acre park featuring a river, wildlife & forested hiking & cross-country skiing trails.
Miami Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 303 reviews
113 acres of restored woodlands & prairies, featuring a 1.5-mile paved path for biking & walking.
Cricket Creek County Forest Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 309 reviews
Woodlands, prairies & wetlands with facilities for camping, golfing, fishing, snowshoeing & tubing.
Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 321 reviews
Towpath along a century-old commercial waterway, popular for hiking, cycling & horseback riding.
South Boulevard Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 299 reviews
Park featuring a beach and a public restroom, popular for sunrise views.
Burnham Shores Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 298 reviews
Family-friendly park featuring playgrounds, swings, slides and other play pieces.
Crabtree Nature Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 291 reviews
Nature preserve on 112 acres of woodlands & wetlands offering year-round outdoor recreation.
Walton Island Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 305 reviews
Landscaped fishing spot featuring a gazebo and a flag sculpture, plus two pedestrian bridge access points.
Lindberg Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 297 reviews
Park with a gated playground, picnic areas, tennis courts, and baseball and soccer fields.
Aldeen Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 301 reviews
Peaceful, clean, family-friendly park featuring trails for hiking, dog-walking and sledding.
Knolls Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 274 reviews
Lakeside recreation area featuring exercise equipment, a playground and walking paths.
Willow Springs Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 278 reviews
Forest preserve popular for its multi-use trails offers year-round outdoor recreation.
Afton Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 278 reviews
Scenic hiking area full of restored prairies and paths for nature walks, picnics and dog walks.
Delnor Woods Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 277 reviews
Dog-friendly memorial garden featuring a dog statue, a playground and a waterfall.
Arie Crown Forest
4.4 ★★★★☆ 292 reviews
Nature preserve with kid-friendly hiking trails, lake views, and picnic areas.
Warrenville Grove
4.7 ★★★★★ 271 reviews
Woodland park featuring areas for picnicking & fishing, plus a trail network for hiking & biking.
Dick Young Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 270 reviews
Peaceful, lakefront area offering wetland, woodland & prairie trails, plus varied plants & animals.
Voyageur Landing Forest Preserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 281 reviews
Protected area by the river with picnic tables, known as a boating & fishing destination.
Busey Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 269 reviews
59-acres of native woodland with a raised boardwalk to view the birdlife & wildflowers.
Willowhaven Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 269 reviews
Nature destination featuring trails, a dog park, a nature center and a playground.
Carpenter Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 267 reviews
This 434-acre park is a popular spot for hikes through woodlands, quiet picnics & animal viewing.
DuPage River Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 258 reviews
Wooded, riverfront park offering paved trails, a picnic area & a pond, plus restrooms.
Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 257 reviews
This nature area features a tallgrass savanna, a 4-mile trail & wildlife such as Blanding's turtles.
Austin Gardens
4.7 ★★★★★ 254 reviews
City park featuring seasonal Shakespeare plays and paths winding past wildflowers.
Tyler Creek Forest Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 254 reviews
City oasis on a creek with forested slopes, hiking & biking trails & a large picnic shelter.
St. Mihiel Woods-East
4.5 ★★★★★ 255 reviews
Recreation spot with hiking/cycling trails, fishing & picnicking areas in a picturesque setting.
Diane Main Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 255 reviews
Park with softball/baseball fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, fishing ponds & restrooms.
Hickory Creek Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 237 reviews
Sizable space featuring diverse wildlife & plant species, with trails & paved paths open year-round.
Lake Avenue Woods-East
4.7 ★★★★★ 242 reviews
Picturesque park offering wooded paths, a stream, picnic tables & a modest nature center.
Silver Lake Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 236 reviews
Spacious park featuring disc golf facilities, trails, and boat launches for various activities.
Bliss Woods Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 241 reviews
Trails and paths crisscross this wooded park with a pavilion and picnic tables.
Lakeland Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 240 reviews
Tranquil park featuring playground equipment, picnic areas, walking trails, and bike paths.
York Woods Forest Preserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 249 reviews
County's oldest forest preserve, with 71-acre oak woodlands housing picnic shelters, trails & birds.
Jelke Creek Bird Sanctuary
4.7 ★★★★★ 234 reviews
Nature preserve offering picnic areas, hiking trails, and opportunities for bird watching and geocaching.
Blackhawk County Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 230 reviews
Beautiful reserve for walking and biking trails, plus a waterfall (Blackhawk Falls).
Lyman Woods & William F. Sherman, Jr. Interpretive Center
4.6 ★★★★★ 231 reviews
Tranquil mid-city nature retreat featuring oak forest, marshlands & walking paths on 150 acres.
Raven Glen Forest Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 231 reviews
Nature preserve offering hiking, biking & horseback riding trails, plus a lake with 2 fishing piers.
Hidden Creek Nature Sanctuary
4.6 ★★★★★ 229 reviews
5.5 wooded acres offer paved trails, resting benches & native wildlife including a butterfly garden.
Shiloh Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 233 reviews
Park with a playground, picnic areas, sports fields and courts, and a pond, plus trails.
Erfert Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 234 reviews
Park with a playground, picnic tables, and walking and fishing spots, plus a restroom.
Funks Grove Nature Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 211 reviews
Popular park with public restrooms and picnic tables, plus kid-friendly hiking trails.
Spears Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 213 reviews
This scenic park has trails for hikers, bikers & horses through wetlands & woods, plus picnic spots.
McNaughton Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 220 reviews
Undeveloped park consisting of trails winding through woodland & meadow habitat for native species.
Robinson Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 210 reviews
A nature preserve makes up much of this dense 675-acre park, which also has picnic areas & trails.
Peter J. Exner Marsh Conservation Area
4.3 ★★★★☆ 226 reviews
116-acre conservation area featuring wetlands vegetation, a diverse bird community & several trails.
The Hollows Conservation Area
4.6 ★★★★★ 210 reviews
Recreation & wildlife on 478 acres of varied ecosystems, from prairies to woods to basin marshes.
Arrowhead Lake
4.6 ★★★★★ 210 reviews
Park with a serene lake and bike and walking trails, plus a picnic pavilion.
Fabyan Windmill
4.8 ★★★★★ 201 reviews
Relaxed attraction with a restored windmill and a Japanese garden, plus river and forest views.
Dahlquist Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 219 reviews
City park with picnic areas, basketball and tennis courts, and a playground.
Bemis Woods South
4.6 ★★★★★ 209 reviews
Shaded trails, picnic spots, and bridges dot this scenic forest preserve.
Lakefront Trail - Grant Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 200 reviews
Popular waterfront recreational strip with 18 miles of side-by-side walking & biking trails.
Blue Star Memorial Woods
4.6 ★★★★★ 206 reviews
Wooded park featuring rental bikes & paved trails, plus picnic areas & large open spaces.
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.
Salt Creek Woods Nature Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 195 reviews
This iconic 245-acre forested nature preserve features hiking trails & birdwatching.
Mather Woods
4.6 ★★★★★ 197 reviews
A 67-acre forest park with 2 miles of trails, picnic shelters & river access.
Hesse Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 201 reviews
Easygoing locale featuring trails for walking & biking, sports fields, playgrounds & picnic spots.
Chicago Portage National Historic Site
4.5 ★★★★★ 199 reviews
This forested area features monuments to historic explorers & many wildlife viewing opportunities.
Millennium Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 208 reviews
New and clean playground, as well as swings at this cozy park with picnic tables and slides.
Altman Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 188 reviews
Relaxing park and nature center offering shaded picnic areas, lakeside trails and kayaking.
Sun Lake Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 188 reviews
A 629-acre prairie & wetlands refuge with no lake access featuring wildlife views & hiking trails.
Prospect Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 188 reviews
Charming venue with ponds, a dog-friendly trail and a playground.
Openlands Lakeshore Preserve at Fort Sheridan: Main Entrance
4.6 ★★★★★ 191 reviews
Lakeside nature preserve with kid-friendly hiking, trails, and murals.
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.
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.
Salt Creek Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 186 reviews
Scenic park featuring a creek, as well as mowed green spaces and forested patches.
Gebhard Woods State Park
4.2 ★★★★☆ 198 reviews
30-acre park featuring mature trees, tent camping, multiuse trails & picnic areas with grills.
Joe Orr Woods (Cook County Forest Preserve)
4.3 ★★★★☆ 192 reviews
Nature preserve with picnic tables and a public restroom, plus walking and biking paths.
Pratt's Wayne Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 175 reviews
Spacious natural area popular for fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing & remote-control vehicles.
Sidney Yates Flatwoods
4.6 ★★★★★ 176 reviews
Peaceful, leafy nature preserve along a river, with unpaved walking trails & local wildlife.
Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 172 reviews
Informal outdoor space featuring a baseball field, trails and a lake.
Burr Oak Woods
4.6 ★★★★★ 175 reviews
Expansive, clean, scenic park with trails, picnic tables and a pavilion for parties.
Clifton Terrace Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 182 reviews
Recreational area featuring picnic areas, a playground and scenic views of the river.
Lake Carina Forest Preserve
4.3 ★★★★☆ 184 reviews
Nature preserve featuring a trail around a lake popular with fishermen.
Millennium Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 172 reviews
Park featuring an open space, a playground and a baseball field. Also on-site are picnic tables, sand volleyball courts, basketball hoops and a farm museum.
Great Western Trail - St. Charles Trail Head
4.8 ★★★★★ 164 reviews
Large nature area with miles-long paths for hiking, biking and running.
Trout Park River's Edge
4.5 ★★★★★ 172 reviews
Familiar riverside park featuring a bike trail and river vista with gazebo and benches.
West DuPage Woods Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 163 reviews
Scenic nature preserve with woodsy trails for hiking and picnicking.
Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 161 reviews
Illinois Nature Preserve noted for its Midwestern habitat, featuring hiking trails and prairie.
McClaughry Springs Woods
4.9 ★★★★★ 150 reviews
Nature trail system featuring a ravine and small creek amid hills and woods with picnic tables and birding opportunities.
Espenscheid Memorial Forest Preserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 163 reviews
Tranquil park featuring trails, boating and river views.
Garden Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 155 reviews
City park offering a playground, picnic areas, and walking paths, plus beach access.
Deer Run Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 153 reviews
Rambling riverside prairie & forest preserve spanning 594.8 acres with hiking & horse-riding trails.
Ray Lake Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 153 reviews
Natural area with crushed gravel paths for walking, biking, and bird watching.
Riverfront Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 153 reviews
Riverfront river-view park, offering picnics, a fountain and a statue.
Kickapoo State Recreation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 153 reviews
State park featuring picnic and barbecue areas, as well as a playground, camping, and kayaking.
Fox Bluff Conservation Area
4.6 ★★★★★ 154 reviews
Natural area of woodlands, wetlands & prairies offering quiet hiking trails & access to river.
St. Paul Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 147 reviews
Verdant space ideal for picnics and drives features plenty of picnic benches, plus deer sightings.
Elburn Forest Preserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 153 reviews
Wooded nature preserve with winding trails and a grassy landscape, plus shelters for picnics.
Sylvan Island Gateway Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 148 reviews
Park featuring paved walking and biking paths, a bridge leading to hiking trails, and fishing.
Black Partridge Woods
4.4 ★★★★☆ 154 reviews
80-acre park in a ravine by a creek offering trails, a picnic area & a stone bridge.
Kieselburg Forest Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 147 reviews
Wooded preserve offering picnic areas, a soccer field, and trails for hiking and remote-controlled aircraft flying.
Westlake Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 144 reviews
Park and lake known for its swans and sledding hills.
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.
Twenty-Sixth Street Woods
4.5 ★★★★★ 146 reviews
Relaxed, tree-filled park featuring a paved trail for walking, running and biking.
Evans Field
4.6 ★★★★★ 142 reviews
Wooded preserve featuring wide trails, picnic areas and encounters with birds, deer and other wildlife.
Kickapoo Woods
4.5 ★★★★★ 144 reviews
Park popular for cycling, hiking and dog-walking, plus trail runs and strolls.
Barbara Key Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 144 reviews
Well-kept park featuring a playground, a basketball court and a pond.
Possum Hollow Woods
4.4 ★★★★☆ 147 reviews
Forested nature preserver featuring a creek, picnic areas & shelters, trails & more.
Grassy Lake Forest Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 133 reviews
This 689-acre nature preserve features a river, scenic overlooks, hiking trails & toilets.
McCormick Woods
4.5 ★★★★★ 141 reviews
Relaxed spot with deer sightings and flagstone structure for parties, plus space for picnics.
Oldfield Oaks
4.7 ★★★★★ 134 reviews
Wooded spot featuring hiking trails, a dog park and deer sightings.
Yankee Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 132 reviews
Relaxed, 3-mile trail for walking, jogging and biking, plus wooded surroundings, picnic tables and a dog park.
PrairieWalk Pond
4.5 ★★★★★ 136 reviews
Relaxed green space with a pond, play areas and a splash pad.
Timber Ridge Forest Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 133 reviews
Protected natural area with 2 miles of trails, a picnic area & an 1890s living history farm.
Hidden Springs State Forest
4.6 ★★★★★ 133 reviews
Secluded and tranquil outdoor area featuring ponds, playgrounds, camping spots and trails.
Illinois Canyon
4.8 ★★★★★ 127 reviews
Mellow, circa 1-mile hike featuring a winding creek and waterfalls, plus canyon views.
Kasey Meadow's Play Ground
4.5 ★★★★★ 135 reviews
Kid-friendly destination featuring 2 playgrounds, a splash area and a basketball court.
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Every running trail in the town, not just the ones with quiet, uncrowded running.
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See quiet, uncrowded trails across the whole country, or every running trail in Illinois. You can also browse the other features or start from surface.