Find the top rated horseback riding trails in Illinois, whether you're looking for an easy short horseback riding trail or a long horseback riding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a horseback riding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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My husband, son and myself rode this trail May 24, 2017. We started at the Lake Avenue, Wilmette trailhead. We quickly ran out of both path and trail signs when we got to Cumnor Road at the end of a section traversing Townley Field in Winnetka. We used Google Maps on our phone to find the trail again by turning left on Cumnor, right on Melrose, left on Abbotsford, left on Ivy Lane, and looked for the trail on our right. North of there we had no troubles following the trail.
We passed several playgrounds and parks, some rustic areas and others which had been re-planted with native flora, as well as easy access to several North Shore downtown areas.
When we reached the crossing at Lake-Cook Rd we turned left (west) and rode past the Turnbull Woods and McDonald Woods Forest Preserves to reach the Chicago Botanic Gardens. Entrance is free and the Gardens are extensive. There is a charming cafe at which we refreshed and relaxed before returning to our starting point in Wilmette.
This is a trail to which you can return again and again, and take many fun side trips.
I've only ridden this trail once, near Channahon (which has great parking at the State Park), and it was very good and interesting. Not paved, but still easy to bike or walk. In the area in which I rode, you have the I and M Canal on one side and the Des Plaines River on the other. As you ride, you go past historical sites of the canal which are a great bonus. Also, you can fish in the DuPage River at Channahon.
We rode our tandem 15 miles out from the trailhead in Alton. A little rough in two sections because of recent flooding, but I am really glad we rode this trail. The Channel of Rocks Canal and bridge were the highlights of this for us. Tug boats, barges- everywhere! I only wish we had another day to explore this and other river trails in the area. Was it a perfectly smooth surface? No, but if two seniors, 68yrs and 71 yrs old can ride 30+ miles on a tandem and have fun, then so can you. (Pa. Tandem Team)
It was pretty clear that they will be expanding this trail beyond it's current run from Stuart Park to Centennial Park. Due to time constraints I rode from Stuart to Iles Ave. and back. There's a very slight uphill run over that length, but it's not at all noticeable because the trail is very smooth. There were a constant flow of trail users, but it didn't feel crowded at all. There seemed to be an above average number of dog walkers on the trail, but I chalked that up to the dog run located in Stuart Park.
I had spent the day in workshops and at the State Capitol, so this was a perfect way to burn off some energy before a long drive home. I was very glad I made the stop and will likely do this again when I'm in Springfield.
I read up on this path the evening before I was going to be in Rochelle and thought it would be nice to do the loop, with the streets connecting the endpoints. I ended up getting 2 chances to ride it during my morning in Rochelle. I started at Rochelle Township High School and went clockwise the first time. There were some large gaps (1"+) in the path at regular intervals on the northern most end of the path (near the high school). I also ended up riding with a young squirrel who didn't seem to realize that it could run off of the path until I pulled up alongside it. The path along the river was excellent and very peaceful. When I got to the eastern endpoint there were youth soccer and baseball games going on, so the quiet side streets were packed with cars coming and going for the Saturday morning games. There were a lot of signs for Bike Routes on the streets between the endpoints, but they didn't actually give directions between the endpoints. They also didn't have bike route signs very often, so if I followed the "straight ahead" arrow I found myself wondering if I was still on a bike route. My confusion resulted in a short circle through the local cemetery before figuring out where I should go to get back on the path. Once I figured that out I was back on track quickly. There were some more gaps in the path on the west end as well. Since this section ran along a subdivision there were a few walkers out.
When I rode the path the second time I went counter-clockwise and it wasn't nearly as confusing to connect the endpoints. Even though there had been a lot of rain earlier in the week, and the river (creek?) was pretty high, the underpasses weren't a problem. I think I rode through an inch or so of water for about 5'. The underpasses really help make this path nice because you don't have to cross major roads (except at the entrance to the high school, which has a traffic signal).
I probably wouldn't go out of my way to take a ride on this path, but if you're in Rochelle for whatever reason, it's a very nice ride. It took me about 30 minutes averaging 12 - 12.5 mph including my little detours between the endpoints. If you are not from Rochelle then I strongly recommend that you ride it counter clockwise and know exactly which streets you want to take between the endpoints. I made it harder than it should have been because I didn't pay close enough attention to the connecting streets before riding.
This is a great trail, especially for longer run training, whether a 1/2 or full marathon. The trees throughout the trail block out most of the wind and sun. As you head west on the trail, you need to run uphill/dowhill over a couple of bridges over highways. Overall, I'd rate this as one of the best Chicago area trails.
This is a pretty great trail for bikers and runners only when there aren't a lot of people on it(thats rare). Winters make the trail empty. during summer if u want to get a workout you should come early morning or late evening to not have to dodge everyone. nonetheless I love it, having a trail so close allows me to bike more.
We rode the entire trail over a two day period, camping by a lake in the Shawnee National Forest. This is about the only place along the trail camping is allowed and we had a tough time finding a site. There is a wonderful campground in the Village of Karnak that the town runs. It has both tent and RV sites, restrooms, picnic tables, fire rings and wood and water but no showers. The town folk were very friendly and went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable. We used it as a base camp before and after the ride. The trail was well maintained and the trailside facilities were nice although due to Illinois' budget deficit, some state facilities including the Depot Museum at Vienna were not open.
biked the trail Sat 4/8/17. as previously stated, asphalt was in excellent shape, no root bumps or gopher holes. also as stated, trees blocked most of the 15+ mph winds, only a few exposed meadows. should be shaded most of the way during the summer. several parking areas, all w clean port-o-sans. tons of buttercups already up, will ride again this weekend as lots of wildflower habitat that should fill with trilliums and such in the coming weeks. almost no traffic, much better than slogging through the crowds on the lakefront. Glenwood Oaks was a great stop for lunch, and Calumet Bakery for post-ride refuel - grab a nut roll for breakfast. we came from downtown, was a half hour drive to Lansing Woods parking lot at 186th & Torrence. started down the Old Plank Trail but turned back as it was strewn w broken bottles. Thorn Creek is a great trail.
I have ridden dozens of rail trails, but this is my home trail and also one of my favorites. The trail rises slightly uphill from the start at Washington Street on the east side of Joliet, and I recommend that as the start. The trail head in Joliet--although not in the best of neighborhoods--has been safe to park in during the day and is maintained by the Will County Forest Preserve as well as policed by them. You will ride under the graffiti riddled Briggs Street overpass and then into wooded areas that take you through Joliet, Cherry Hill and New Lenox. One of the longest sections without crossings is between Schoolhouse Road and 116th in New Lenox--and at the halfway point in this section there is a spur over to Hickory Creek where you can ride lots of hills and fast passes. Frankfort is a great stop and was the halfway point before the trail was extended on the east end. Frankfort is a good place to stop and use the bathroom or drinking fountain or have a snack & water up. After Frankfort you ride through a forested area with a decline and incline. Richton Park takes you over a causeway through a nature preserve and soon thereafter you pass under Interstate 57. There is a gazebo near Cicero Avenue that is a good place to take a break, and the crossing at Cicero winds around in front of a Menards where there is a traffic signal. Next you ride through Park Forest and cross under the Metra (the old Illinois Central) on you way to the previous end point at Western Avenue. There are some cool old train displays in Park Forest. The new section of the trail past Western Avenue takes you about another mile and a half and links up with the Thorn Creek Trail. I am told if you go north you can eventually link up with the Burnham Greenway which takes you to the Lake Front Path, but I have only gone south toward Sauk Woods where there are some great trails to ride through the preserve. On the east end of the trail you can navigate the city streets of Joliet a little more than a mile to the Wauponsee Glacial Trail which takes you all the way south to the Kankakee River. The OPT is a great long ride that has many options on each end.
Yesterday was my first ride on the Stone Bridge Trail. It had rained for 2 days prior, so I didn't really know what to expect. The trail was in excellent condition. I started at the Rockton Road trailhead and rode to Poplar Grove (via the Long Prairie Trail). There were a few spots early on where some small animals have burrowed in the trail creating some small holes in the trail. Apart from that, it was smooth sailing. There weren't any washout spots even after all the rain. I wasn't really sure where the trail ended and the Long Prairie Path began, but it became obvious once I found myself riding on pavement.
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