Looking for the best trails around Lake Forest?

Explore the best rated trails in Lake Forest, IL, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail and Spring Creek Greenway Trail . With more than 116 trails covering 4933 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

Recent Trail Reviews

Tinley Creek Trail (North)

BEAUTIFUL

November, 2023 by scottlarry7722_tl

OMG AMAZING PLACE TO WALK

Busse Woods Trail

Busse Forest Nature Preserve

November, 2023 by thejake91739

Busse Forest Nature Preserve is a slice of tranquility completely surrounded by the chaos of highways and the hectic, hurry up conditions of suburbia. It's like a mini Central Park, but in the burbs of Chicago. If I was fortunate to have something like this near my home in my metropolis of southern California I'd be hiking, biking, or fishing it every day!

Since I as staying at the Hampton Inn in Schaumberg, I simply rode my bike down the Schaumberg Bikeway alongside Woodfield Road for about a half mile to access the park.

It was shortly after sunrise on a chilly weekday morning in early October as I entered the serenity of the preserve and its forests, lakes, and large grassy areas. I was joined by dog walkers, joggers, fishermen, bicyclists, a rollerblader, and hundreds of geese.

The treelined paths were carpeted with golden leaves, and many large flocks of geese called many of the grassy areas home. I was fortunate enough to see and hear a massive bull elk making its wailing, bugle-like call in an attempt to entice two cows he was near to get cozy with him.

All in all, Busse Woods Trail is a delightful system of curvy trails, dense woods, large swaths of lawn, and beautiful lakes. What a precious gem for the communities of the burbs and this lucky visitor from SoCal!

Oak Leaf Trail (Route of the Badger)

South Shore Line

November, 2023 by thejake91739

On a perfect weekday morning in early October I experienced by bicycle the South Shore portion of the Oak Leaf Trail.
I parked in the Grant Park Beach parking lot in South Milwaukee and headed north to Cupertino Park and then back, a distance of about twelve miles. Even though it was such a short ride it took me over two hours since I had to frequently stop for the awesome photo ops. The views of the lake and the Milwaukee skyline are sensational!
The trail is obviously beloved by the community. Not only were there plenty of other bicyclists, but there were a tremendous amount of friendly pedestrians walking their dogs or getting their steps in, especially in Bay View Park.
The South Shore portion of the trail has so much to offer: woods, tree lined streets with charming homes, wildflowers, squirrels, geese, shoreline, lots of curves, five parks, yachts, and plenty of benches to take in the marvelous views of Lake Michigan and the downtown skyline. Besides the lake views, I especially enjoyed the curvy trail covered in golden leaves through the woods of Grant Park.

TWO WORDS OF WARNING:
1) There are hills.
2) There are cracked and uplifted portions of trail through the woods of Grant Park due to tree roots. They will effectively work like speed bumps and slow you down a bit.

However, all in all, this is an enjoyable ride and certainly worthy of your time and five stars!

Accordion

Duck Lake Nature Area Trail

Easy walk on a grassy former railroad bed

October, 2023 by markwboettcher

This trail was actually a former C&NW railway that served Lake Geneva and terminated in Williams Bay. Service to Williams Bay started in 1888 and ended in 1965. Service to Lake Geneva ended in 1975. Thanks to Maxine Thoorsell for starting the conversion of turning this former railway into a nature trail. It is an easy grass covered walk and the trail is 1.7 miles in length. You can also access the trail at the boat launch to the west...behind the barn. A separate trail that is part of this former railway extends from Williams Bay Northeast up to Hwy 50 in the Kishwaukeetoe Conservancy

DeKalb-Sycamore Trail

No parking. Crosses busy streets.

October, 2023 by rdfranklyn

I live close enough to bike to this ‘trail’ but to get to it I have to cross a fairly busy street as there is no parking available. This ‘trail’ is more of an extra wide asphalt sidewalk more than anything else. I do enjoy the short ride once I’m on it.

Great Western Trail (IL)

it’s fun

September, 2023 by charliebearisgoat

It is a great trail and super fun to bike on

Deer Grove Trail

not a fan

September, 2023 by 97ca5crqis

Once a great hiking preserve no not so much. It is evident that funding just isn’t there for a quality site like other county trails. They still have a chain link fence blocking off an area damaged years ago which looks like an excuse to no maintain and save money. As it’s been under repair for a good 10 years. Deer grove was my backyard growing up and it was an amazing preserve it’s sad to say that it is no more

Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail

Janet

September, 2023 by janet koch

Don't bother. Trail is still closed and the canal has been drained. The wildlife is gone and the trail not maintained. This is why I gave it a one star rating. There isn't a zero rating which it deserves.

Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail

its okay

September, 2023 by joannamaciej

I basically drove from romeoville to morris halfway from morris i started to feel like this trail was not safe when you get out from the woods park west and the bridge is gone in morris so just avoid the trail going to seneca

Oak Leaf Trail (Route of the Badger)

Great trail for walk surface and natural sites.

September, 2023 by lisa.radomski4

Great trail for walk surface and natural sites.

North Central DuPage Regional Trail

Beware- Not 100% Asphalt

September, 2023 by desibianca

Misleading description- was anticipating an entire asphalt ride - instead found sections to be gravel. ¿

John Husar I&M Canal Trail

Enjoyed the newly paved loop on this trail. Lots of shade along the path. Bonus, when you are done riding a great micro brew location quenches your thirst.

September, 2023 by ricking

Enjoyed the newly paved loop on this trail. Lots of shade along the path. Bonus, when you are done riding a great micro brew location quenches your thirst.

Find Nearby City trails

Accordion

Register for free!

Register for free with TrailLink today!

We're a non-profit all about helping you enjoy the outdoors
  • View over 40,000 miles of trail maps
  • Share your trail photos
  • Save your own favorite trails
  • Learn about new trails near you
  • Leave reviews for trails
  • Add new and edit existing trails

Get the Free TrailLink App

The trail is always better with TrailLink

Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone

Explore by City

Explore by City

Explore by Activity

Explore by Activity

Log in to your account to:

  • View trail paths on the map
  • Save trails to your account
  • Add trails, edit descriptions
  • Share photos
  • Add reviews

Log in with Google

Log in with Apple

OR

Register for free!

Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 40,000 miles of trail maps and more!

Register with Google

Register with Apple

OR

Your account has been deleted.