Find the top rated fishing trails in Merrillville, whether you're looking for an easy short fishing trail or a long fishing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a fishing 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.
It is July 2026, and the 294 closure on the trail is not open to use. Please update in the review section.
Drove down from South Bend. Started at CR700 and rode to North Judson and back. Class 2 e-bikes. Nice, quiet trail. Maybe saw 10 people total. Decent shape for the most part. A few rough spots and low hanging vegetation. Plenty of shade. Didn’t venture into town this trip. Will definitely be back.
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.
Ride day: Sunday July 12, 2026 We started at the Panhandle Trail Head at Country Road 50 N. Only real downed was the parking at the trail head. Only 3 spaces available and 2 were taken. Was a touch tricky, but we got it. We rode North through the town of Royal Center and on wards. After an hour give or take we turned to head back. The trail is perfect. Fairly straight trail with all kinds of wildlife and beautiful scenery all around. Only a few minor root bumps on the trail - but they were all marked. Even some rest rooms along the way! Will ride again without question - great trail.
This bike trail is a straight shot from Lansing to calumet city Illinois.
Trail was ok. Accessed by Beverly shores train station and headed toward Chesterton first. First section was Ricky but not bad. Beyond that there were many areas of pooling water that nearly spanned the trail in many places. Just be aware of that. From BS train station toward Mich city it was again initially rocky terrain but rideable. Beyond that it connected to the next trail. I don’t recall the name of that one. That one was paved and great. The rocky areas also have tall grass. (Think two track). All in all we enjoyed the ride but just be aware it can be a bit mushy in spots. have fairly tw grasshave.
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.
We just completed the trail. What a Gem!!! Extremely smooth!!!!
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