Find the top rated birding trails in Machesney Park, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
_211455_st.jpg)
_220449_st.jpg)
_135428_st.jpg)
_132690_st.jpg)
Rode part of the Prairie Part starting in Warrenville a couple of days after substantial rain in June 2025. The trail had some very minor puddles but was in great shape. When in Warrenville don’t miss the great bike shop where I got some excellent advice about which way to go on the trail. Highly recommend this route. Thanks to the bike shop guys!
Section between poplar grove and route 76 is getting worse by the day, the chipmunks are taking over and the sharp granite railroad balast is cutting into our tires. No money in illinois budget to repair bicycle trails, the only people enjoying the trail are on those motorized fat tire bikes.
When Tommy Tompson was the governor of Wisconsin the state trails were well taken care of, I like to pull a two wheel trailer to carry my tools , food, drinks and extra clothes, the trail surface needs to be mowed in many places, should be graded over with fresh limestone. sandy and washed out spots, this and most Wisconsin trails are no place for thin tire road bikes. They want you to pay to use the trails but do bare minimum and half assed maintenance. there are pit toilets at Albany and Monticello. Do not count on water spigots pack plenty to drink.
the 14.2 mile rail trail was a great trail 20 plus years ago, over the years a lack of state oversight allowed the trail to fall into a state of disrepair, the trail can no longer be roller bladed or skate boarded, about a decade ago they dug up the east section and most of it is crushed lime stone that the grass and weeds are now growing through, in places they ground up the asphalt and used it in place of limestone( horrible to ride on ). the section from route 76 to poplar grove was ground up last year and graded out and is now a section that will tear up road bike tires, there is sharp granite stones from the original rail bed mixed in with the ground up asphalt, the condition of this trail is only going to get worse due to the county not having two Nichols to rub together. If you put a child in a trailer behind you they will wind up with brain damage on the sections that still have pavement. I will say to politicians that it is asinine to allocate funds for new bike trail projects when they cannot provide funds for their future maintenance.
Started in McHenry and went south. Did 33 miles round trip. McHenry to Crystal Lake lots of ruts and bumpy. Just north of Crystal Lake becomes a new, very smooth trail, but is extremely hilly with lots of turns. After going through a small section of downtown Crystal Lake becomes not as hilly to Algonquin.
Can confirm that many lazy and inconsiderate dog owners leave their dog's poops right on the trail, so keep an eye out for landmnes. Also beware that many people do not have their dogs on leashes, so have protection on you and stay vigilant. Beautiful farmland scenery starting from the Vandenboom trailhead heading west. Very flat, and occasional holes in trail possibly from critters. Nice that each road you reach from the trailhead is just about 1 mile so it's easy to gauge the distance you've walked.
Late April Sunday in clear weather. Started at southern end as marked on Traillink map. There is no dedicated parking but on-street parking in surrounding residential neighborhood was without issues. Rode north to McHenry, 16 miles. Surface is newly or recently repaved and excellent, until you reach Pleasant Hill Road, then only fair, with expansion cracks every 50 60 feet, bumpy ride into McHenry but very doable. Generally pleasant, only partially shaded ride, but not the most picturesque.
2 issues around Crystal Lake, first, signage for on-road traverse of the town is inadequate in both directions. Going north, 2 blocks after crossing the railroad tracks, you have to jog East from Main Street 3 blocks to Glen Ave., then cross IL 176 onto Lorraine Dr. to reach the continuation of the trail into Sterne's Woods. Visa versa coming south. Second, be aware there are several short but steep climbs and descents going through Sterne's Woods. Seamless continuation onto Fox River trail at southern end.
Parked at the West end in the WalMart parking lot. Entire trail is paved and is mostly flat with some gentle inclines. The first 4.5 miles is along Northwest Hwy (rte 14). This entire section is full of litter either in the grass between the road and path or along the farm fields. SO much garbage. The path turns towards Veteran's park in Crystal Lake just past MCC. The last 2.5 miles is along the high voltage lines that you can hear buzzing. Great path if you are commuting to and from MCC but not a pleasant path for an afternoon ride.
The 10-mile stretch of the trail from st. charles to elgin is mostly asphalt with a few short lengths that are crushed stone. The trail is in good shape generally with hardly any heavings in the pavement. The scenery is mostly natural woods and very scenic. Between st. charles and the town of south elgin the river takes a big bend around a high bluff and the trail goes down a long hill as you travel north and over 2 bridges. Near the town of south elgin there is a trolley museum with tracks alongside the trail that working trolleys use on the weekends. Between south elgin and elgin there are many hilly sections. It can be a challenging but worthwhile ride.
I rode today from twining park to the town of Shultz. About 7 miles. The trail was in good shape. It was soft which made the ride a little more work. They just had a lot of rain though. I will come back and ride a different section soon. 3/25/25
I've cycled and jogged this trail since 1986. It eventually links up to the Badger/Jane Adams trails and continues onto Madison to the Capital City Trail or cut off to the Military Ridge Trail.
I've met people that use this trail for hundreds of miles. People from throughout the country. Always safe and people occasionally camp along the trail while hiking. Amazing flora until late October.
I use it as a perfect half marathon training trail. Soft on the knees and legs.
Monticello to New Glarus and back is approx. a perfect 13.1 miles. With
a couple service stations in New Glarus along the trail to refurbish your fluids. Unfortunately, the Stewart is closed and projected to open in 2027.
A short detour on the road needs a little caution on a curved hill. But safe as the road is rarely used.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
Map Search
_207962_st.jpg)
_134241_st.jpg)
_249370_st.jpg)
_206593_st.jpg)
_165855_st.jpg)
_0_st.jpg)
