Explore the best rated trails in Montgomery, IL, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Skokie Valley Trail (Lake County) and Robert McClory Bike Path . With more than 118 trails covering 5394 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.
We rode the full length from the Chicago Botanic Garden to the end at Foster Ave. and back. About 40 miles round trip.
Nice paved trail with plenty of washrooms along the way. Saw 8 deer at various points, two just standing on the side of the trail as we passed and never moved at all.
There is a $12 fee to park at the Botanic Garden, which was no big deal to us. There are plenty of free parking areas at the many forest preserves along the trail. Botanic Garden is great also, if you have the time to go through it.
The trail makes a loop around the Skokie Lagoons, but I would recommend only doing the east side. It has way better scenery and is quiet. Not so on the west side.
I took a star off for the following:
1. There are a lot of big road crossings. Golf road, Dempster, Touhy, and a really nasty diagonal one at Devon & Caldwell. All the walk buttons worked fine and you need to be patient, but they are wide and rather intimidating. The diagonal bridge over Oakton and US-14 is quite impressive though.
2. This is a greenway, so lots and lots of blind curves. This would not normally be an issue, but the road bikers are going too fast around them and there are a lot of pedestrians.
3. Other people have commented about the rude road bikers and we did encounter a couple of them. Most are courteous and tell you when they are coming by, but we had three at road crossings that pushed their way through and cut people off like they were going to a fire.
Over all, a nice trail and a great getaway for people living in the suburbs, but you've got to pay attention so it's not as nice as many sleepy rail-trails.
i’ve done this trail but it’s probably been 1214 years ago. Decided to take my E mountain bike and I’m sure glad I did some of. It’s pretty rough with rocks but overall it was fun. Nice long ride.
I have been riding this trail for three years now. (2024 - 2026) No more. The gravel has, in many places, turned dusty, deep and slippery. You might enjoy the gravel on a gravel bike. I ride a skinny tire road bike. OK for the first two years. Not OK this year.
Rode the Blackwell Forest Preserve section on July 25, 2026. Despite hot temperatures, the shaded stretches kept us cool. The condition of the crushed limestone surface was smooth but dusty. The only glitch was that several times we rode around a bend only to be run off the trail by groups riding two or three abreast. First time that’s happened In 2000 miles of biking. Wouldn’t keep us from going again…outstanding trail.
Bike type: Hybrid (Specialized Sirus 2019)
Conditions: mid-70's, light breeze, dry
Segment biked: Just south of Algonquin to Barnard Mill Rd (north of McHenry) = 40 miles
I started my ride around 9:30am on a July Friday. I had biked a few miles of the trail just north of downtown Algonquin before, the rest was new to me. Perfect conditions motivated me in every way. Perfect temps, full sun, and breeze kept me going for my longest ride since 1997.
The entire path that I rode was asphalt. There are a couple of deviations through downtown areas when you're on sidewalks or streets. But everything was paved. Riding from town to town has always been a favorite, but the Prairie trail gie you even more than that. North of Crystal Lake you'll find miles on end of straight path and very little to see except nature. There's also Sterne's Woods, which really threw me for a loop. Can't say I've ever seen signs that tell bikers to dismount. Then you find out why. There are several hills back here to test your fortitude. At least three hills look to be close to a 45-degree angles. If you're riding these as I did, be careful and make sure you're only tempting them in optimal conditions (dry, no wind). Just coasting pushed me close to 40mph. These hills are as tough as they come to climb in Illinois. Algonquin, Crystal Lake and McHenry all offer pitstops if you need one. I saw two other parking lots away from the towns with benches and bathrooms. I had read from other reviewers that the path north of Barnard Mill Rd was gravel and dicey, so I didn't tempt that. My hybrid tires can hold their own, but it only takes one sharp piece of gravel to strand you far from your starting point. All in all, this path is a 10 out of 10 in my opinion. It's extremely well kept up, very diverse, ridable for any type of bike, with amenities and beauty along the way.
This bike trail is a straight shot from Lansing to calumet city Illinois.
We rode the entire northern section this spring. 10 miles one way. Best place to park if you want to start in Round Lake Beach is the Round Lake Beach Elementary School parking lot. It's about a block and a half off the trail near the west terminus.
Most of the trail is well manicured fine limestone. Very good condition throughout. Scenery is excellent.
The signage is ok. Some intersections are well marked and others not marked at all.
There are several spur loops and many neighborhood access spurs. Use a map, these can get very confusing.
It loses a star for the signage and some rather intimidating grade crossings near the west end.
Discovered this comfortable place with great accommodations for two bike travelers. They offer a pullout sofa if you do not wish to share a bed. Indoor bike storage with a comfy bed and a hot shower! Distillery right next-door and two restaurants to fuel up in the morning to get back on the trail. Close to the panhandle of West Virginia. Their name is Harmony Trail Haven on Airbnb.
This is my favorite rail to trail in the Chicago area. I ride a gravel bike. The wide open spaces and rural scenery is a relaxed vibe. I park at Sugar Creek Admin Center which has a nice parking lot and go all the way to the end just over the Kankakee River at Custer. My favorite section is the area that’s next to the Midewin Tall Grass Prairie. My tips for you if you’re going 40 miles round trip, water, a Gatorade, small snack. Folks on the trail are friendly and wave however once you get to the bridge crossing Hwy 102, things get weird. I don’t know why but the vibes are negative and you can feel it. I always want to see the river but again, bad vibes.
Highly recommend this beautiful and well kept trail. Beautiful to ride along the trees and over the 2 epic ohiopyle bridges.
My wife and I just purchased two e-Bikes and decided to use this place for our maiden voyage. This was also our first time at this state park. We really enjoyed the tails and the nature. We will be returning with cameras and fishing poles.
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