Buffalo Creek Trail (IL)

Illinois

5 Reviews

The Buffalo Creek Trail makes a 5.5-mile loop around the scenic Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve in Long Grove. The crushed-gravel trail provides access to facilities throughout the park.

About the Route

Along the way, the trail passes through open prairie, over several creeks and around a large reservoir. Look for waterfowl and other wildlife that call the preserve home.

Parking and Trail Access

The Buffalo Creek Trail runs between Checker Rd & Old Hicks Rd (Long Grove), where there is parking, and W Lake Cook Rd & Arlington Heights Rd (Arlington Heights).

Parking is available at:

Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve parking lot, 18163 Checker Rd (Long Grove)

Visit the TrailLink map for all parking options and detailed directions.

So many textures!

November 2021 kimberlygordonjazz

I have been driving past the perimeters of this preserve for years! FINALLY went in and loved it…. Nice hills, bridges, small lakes, and a large prairie. I highly recommend!

new trails

September 2020 tcmohns

Nice job by LCFP I’m adding new trails. Little crowded at times but overall a great new area. Hooks into long grove’s trail so you can visit downtown long grove

Good trail and getting better

June 2018 mss0904

Good combination of open areas and some tree lined areas. Great for birding (saw a bald eagle in the spring), with lots of Heron’s, swallows, blue birds and jays, as well as other common species. The location is getting additional trails and they are cutting down many of the non-native plants, making room for more prairies space.

Cross country skiing in Buffalo Creek

February 2015 hark54

Went here today, the trail itself is beautiful. Trees, prairies, little bridges over rivers, and probably a view of the reservoir when it's not covered with snow. But the trail was not good for xc skiing, as the hikers walk everywhere and any ski tracks get demolished (the last snowfall in this area was about a week ago.) We had to cut our own tracks on top of footprints. In spite of that, we also explored the whole loop west of Schaeffer, which had only snowshoe tracks, no ski tracks. Also, the west side is mostly prairie - on a cold windy day, there would be no protection from the wind. So this might be a nice spot for a hike in the spring or fall, but not for xc skiing.