We are very fortunate to have so many trails to explore with the kids in the Chicago suburbs. There are countless forest preserves, state parks and paved trails in the Chicago suburbs where we can take a kid-friendly hike. I absolutely love that we don’t have to drive very far to explore nature! We have compiled a list (we are continuously adding to!) of some great hiking trails where we take the kids to explore.
Hiking really is a great way to get lost in nature, and enjoy the quiet and tranquility these preserves have to offer. Get a little fresh air, spend your time together in the great outdoors, and enjoy the hike.
My kids love our “nature” walks. It gives us all the opportunity to step away from our electronic devices and busy lives. There is just something about the great outdoors that leaves you feeling recharged!
We love heading out, taking our time and getting a little dirty along the way. Pack your picnic basket, hiking shoes and hit the trails! I would also recommended making sure you don’t pick the hottest time of the day to head out, an earlier morning hike or later afternoon hike may keep you from getting sweaty in the middle of the woods! Don’t judge your hike by how far you go, just enjoy the time together.
Below are descriptions of local trails for you to pick the right length and path for your family. Refer back to this list often for the best family-friendly hiking trails to explore locally. Don’t forget to pack lots of snacks, sunscreen and bug spray for your adventure.
Chicagoland Forest Preserve Hiking Trails
Waterfall Glen in Darien
Cass And Northgate Roads
Darien, IL 60561
A popular biking destination, as well as for hiking trails. Plenty of smaller loops and tranquil rest spots that make it well worth the visit for families with kids of all ages. Check out our full guide on Waterfall Glen, including where to park and how to get to the waterfall!
Kidlist recommended trail:
Rocky Glen Waterfall: Park at Bluff Road, Waterfall is 1 mile from the parking lot
There are also over 10 miles of trails for biking, walking and hiking.
Hidden Lake Forest Preserve in Downers Grove
Route 53, South of Butterfield Road
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Two lakes (one is hidden) and a river with fishing and boating make Hidden Lake a nice place to hike. There’s also a new picnic pavillion, too!
Kidlist recommended trail:
Both Round Meadow Lake Trail (the trail surrounding the lake right as you pull in) and the Eagle Lake Trail (the ‘Hidden Lake’) are about 1 mile long. My family loves this preserve, it’s a nice easy stroll on a non-windy day!
Lyman Woods in Downers Grove
901 31st Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515
A 2.5-mile trail as well as a nature center including native landscaping, a butterfly garden, rain gardens and native prairie plants growing on the roof!
Kidlist recommended trail:
All the trails leading from the parking lot and nature center are either paved or crushed limestone. They are all around 1 mile if you stay on the same trail, but loop a few trails together to increase your mileage.
Maple Grove in Downers Grove
Lee Avenue and Gilbert Avenue
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Connected to the peaceful Gilbert Park, which is geared towards younger children. Maple Grove is a nice way to combine a trip to the park and a nature walk.
Kidlist Tips:
-You’ll find great parking right off Gilbert Avenue and the trail off the parking lot (Maple Trail) crosses a creek and leads you on about a half mile hike before arriving at the park across the field.
-There is also parking directly off Maple Avenue, if you want to take a shorter hiking route and end up parked closer to the playground.
Fabyan Forest Preserve in Geneva
1925 Batavia Avenue
Geneva, IL 60134
A picture-perfect spot offering colorful gardens, biking and hiking trails, and a river to kayak in! You’ll also find plenty of photo opportunity spots throughout in all seasons.
Kidlist Tips:
–Click here to read more about the fabulous Fabyan Forest Preserve!
-If you are set on visiting the Japanese Gardens, park off Route 31 and follow the signs for parking.
Churchill Woods in Glen Ellyn
271 St Charles Road
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Find over 23 acres of woodland, wetland, prairie, trails, and boardwalks at Churchill Woods — and fishing and picnicking spots, too!
Kidlist Tips:
-If you are interested in hiking on an actual trail, find the East Branch Dupage River Trail on the North side of St. Charles Road. This trail is about 1 mile and popular with bikers, hikers, and joggers.
-Otherwise, explore the Dupage River and surroundings on the South side of the St. Charles Road.
-Regardless, parking is on the South side of St. Charles Road.
East Branch Forest Preserve in Glendale Heights
2N698 Swift Rd
Glendale Heights, IL 60139
Home to an off leash dog park, this preserve has an off leash dog beach and training pond as well as a nice limestone loop for walking. The loop totals .8. miles, but there are little finger trails to make it longer off mowed paths.
Kidlist Tip:
Park off Swift Road by the dog park for direct access to the path. Also, know the trailing pond has a beach which can be muddy depending on the weather.
Pilcher Park Nature Center in Joliet
2501 Highland Park Drive
Joliet, IL 60432
Kids of all ages will enjoy the wide range of trails varying in length and degree of difficulty. Playground areas abound for the littler kids including a storybook trail. Mostly free programming at the nature center includes bird-watching classes and wildlife walks!
Kidlist Tip:
The trail map is especially helpful. The Sensory Trail and a Walk in the Woods are the two trails that are nice and short for little legs.
Salt Creek Trail in La Grange Park
26th Street Woods
Kemman Avenue and 26th Street
La Grange Park, IL 60526
The Twenty-Sixth Street Woods is a beautiful place to enjoy Salt Creek Trail-a 7.6 mile trail in total.
Kidlist Tips:
From Twenty Sixth Street Woods, Salt Creek Trail leads to Brookfield Woods, which is across the street from the Brookfield Zoo. This would be a great ride for older kids.
Heritage Quarries Recreation Area in Lemont
1001 Main Street
Lemont, IL 60439
This spot includes a family-friendly trail that loops around a group of freshwater lakes that were once limestone quarries and are now home to various species of fish, birds and plants. Wide and well-groomed trails are perfect for the littles or if you have a stroller!
Kidlist Tip: The trail actually begins and ends in downtown Lemont, so you can grab a bite to eat or maybe a sweet treat to start off or end your little adventure!
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center in Lemont
12545 West 111th Street
Lemont, IL 60439
A great place for families to learn about and connect with nature with plenty of trails that are perfect for a family bike ride or casual nature walk.
Sagawau offers free special events from time to time. These include wildflowers hikes, guided bird walks, and canyon tours.
Kidlist Tip:
Sag Trail and Prairie Loop are the two shorter trails, great for little legs. These two trails are under 1 mile.
Lisle Community Park in Lisle
1825 Short Street
Lisle, IL 60532
Community Park is the center of all outdoor activity in Lisle. Beyond the baseball fields and soccer fields, the Dupage River runs through it with a launch for kayaking and canoeing. There are also lakes for fishing, and paved trails all around the park great for scooters and strollers.
Kidlist Tip:
Make this a combo trip with a stop at the Discovery Playground and a great hike around part of the park, or the whole thing-totaling about 3 miles (the North side of the park is more nature, while the south is more sports).
Sensory Garden Playground Trails in Lisle
2751 Navistar Drive
Lisle, IL 60532
A little trail leading from the parking lot up to the fun playground feels like an adventure in itself. Sensory-integrated playground equipment and amenities along with gardening areas make this spot extra neat. Check out the new additions we found at the Sensory Garden Playground!
McDowell Grove in Naperville
4S500 Raymond Drive
Naperville, IL 60563
Enjoy seven miles of trails that loop around McDowell Grove amidst paved, grass and limestone paths. Boating, fishing and picnic areas, too. We love bringing lunch to this preserve and checking out the wildlife.
Kidlist Tip: Bring lunch and enjoy it at one of the many picnic tables. There are also paved trails right off the parking lot, great for a nice, slow scooter ride.
Springbrook Prairie in Naperville
83rd Street
Naperville, IL 60564
This is a large preserve with a small model aircraft area, dog park, hiking trails and picnicing areas. It stretches from 75th Street to 83rd Street.
Kidlist Tip:
To check out the planes flying (with permits), park in the lot off of Plainfield/Naperville Road on the West side of the street. To check out Sunflower Trail (1.3 miles) park in the lot on the East side of Plainfield/Naperville Road both between 75th Street and 83rd Street.
Fullersburg Woods in Oak Brook
3609 Spring Road
Oak Brook, IL 60523
Check out this historic park with a nature center all in one. There are two parking lots for these trails – one is right on York Road a little north of Ogden Avenue. Find ducks and geese in the grassy area and water right off that parking lot. When you park off York Road, walk under the bridge and see the giant waterwheel on the Graue Mill Museum before starting your adventure on the paved trails.
The Graue Mill Museum opens for the season mid April in 2025. The hours are Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00am – 4:00pm. Admission is free.
Kidlist tip:
The Wildflower Walk is a nice stroll for even the smallest of explorers.
Spring Valley in Schaumburg
1111 E. Schaumburg Road
Schaumburg, IL
Over three miles of paths wind through prairie and wooded scenery, with regular “Play Pockets” set up with natural materials like stumps and logs set up in ways that encourage kids to stop and play. Spring Valley is a great choice if your kids like to have a destination for their walks, like trying to spot the log cabin or walking from the parking lot near the farm to the nature center. The trail map is very helpful.
Kidlist Tips:
Bison’s Bluff Nature Playground is also at this location, but plan ahead if you want to stop by, as you have to reserve a time during certain seasons. This is a great place to end your hike, especially on a warmer day. They do charge admission.
You can also stop by the Spring Valley Nature Center (one of our Kidlist top ten nature centers!) and Volkening Heritage Farm.
Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville
Butterfield Road
Warrenville, IL 60555
A relaxing destination that features gorgeous scenery and rolling hills. Other perks include fishing, camping, archery, picnic shelters and an off-leash dog area.
Herrick Lake in Wheaton
Herrick and Butterfield Road
Wheaton, IL
This trail has a short loop around the lake or you can easily make it longer with many different trail options. Boating, fishing and picnic spots can also be found at Herrick Lake.
Kidlist Tip:
Bring a picnic lunch and watch the ducks in the lake, or the people fishing. There is always something going on.
Little Red Schoolhouse in Willow Springs
Willow Springs Road South of Archer Avenue
Willow Springs, IL
The Little Red Schoolhouse features a great nature center with many displays, hands-on activities and trails to walk around outside. Find live animals and interesting new exhibits as well.
Kidlist Tip:
Both the trails off the Nature Center are under 1 mile, so either is a good choice with little legs. Farm Pond Trail is under a half mile, and leads you around the lake.
Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens in Palos Heights
7402 W. Lake Katherine Drive
Palos Heights, IL 60463
Take a casual stroll with the little ones through the gardens and find plenty of grasses, flowers and shrubs to explore along the way. The older kids will enjoy the mile-long trail that loops around the lake. Be sure to check out the waterfall, butterfly garden and children’s forest with a pond that is home to various amphibians/invertebrates.
Kidlist Tip: Learn more about the lovely Lake Katherine here!
Trails Under Construction
Hidden Oaks Preserve
419 Trout Farm Rd
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
The visitor center is currently closed while a new center is under construction. We cannot wait to explore the new visitor center in May 2025 when it opens again!
Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn
525 S Park Boulevard
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
The visitor center and access to the trails from Park Blvd are currently closed while a new center is under construction. The animal admittance area remains open. Check for updates as the project continues. We can’t wait for it to reopen!
We also have a great write-up featuring local parks with paved paths! If we missed your family’s favorite trail, please let us know in the comments below, we would love to check it out!
Need more inspiration for family fun in the the great outdoors? Check out our outdoor activities for kids list.
3 Comments. Leave new
Love Your Website! I wanted to know where is the best place to host a large family reunion?
We don’t have upcoming content about family reunions at this time, but I would be more than happy to ask readers for their suggestions on the Kidlist Facebook Page!
Thank you for this! Very helpful:)