Watching the leaves change color is one of the best reasons to get outside in the fall. Add a nearby playground, and a walk through the trees can become a full family outing.
We’ve found paved fall trails near inclusive playgrounds throughout Chicago’s suburbs, including places where families can enjoy both activities without moving the car. These pairings combine colorful scenery, accessible play opportunities, and helpful accessibility information to make planning an outing a little easier.
For more autumn adventures, explore our favorite places to see fall colors in Chicagoland.
All trails featured in this guide have paved walking options, but paved doesn’t always mean flat or easy to navigate. Some routes include hills, uneven surfaces, road crossings, or sections with different trail materials. We’ve highlighted specific accessibility features and terrain details where available to help families choose an outing that works for them.
Fall Trails and Inclusive Playgrounds in the West Suburbs
Some of these outings can be enjoyed within the same park, while others require a short drive between destinations. All distances are approximate and may vary depending on the trail entrance or parking area.
Aurora: Fox River Trail + Hope D. Wall School Playground
The Fox River Trail through Geneva and Batavia offers paved paths with scenic river views, wooded areas, and colorful fall foliage. Much of the route has gentle terrain, with some inclines along the way.
Approximately six miles away, Hope D. Wall School Playground features double-wide ramps, two wheelchair-accessible swings, a ground-level merry-go-round with space for two wheelchairs, and a bilingual English-Spanish communication board. The fully fenced playground also offers musical instruments, slides, shaded seating, and rubberized play surfacing. The playground has community access outside of Hope D. Wall school hours.
Bensenville: Wood Dale/Itasca Reservoir Salk Creek Trail or Springbrook Nature Center + Breiter-Palm Park
Families have two paved walking options near Breiter-Palm Park in Bensenville.
The Wood Dale/Itasca Reservoir Salt Creek Trail in Wood Dale has a 1.36-mile loop connecting to the Salt Creek Greenway. A longer, approximately 3.2-mile route follows additional connecting paths around the reservoir. The area is approximately 3.5 miles from the playground, with benches, accessible parking, and generally gentle terrain. Much of the route is open rather than wooded, offering waterfront views with less tree coverage.
Another option is Springbrook Nature Center in Itasca, approximately 4.5 miles away. Its trail network includes concrete pathways and accessible boardwalks through woodland, prairie, and marsh habitats. Families can explore a 700-foot marsh boardwalk, scenic overlooks, and wildlife exhibits. Boardwalks can become slippery after precipitation. The Nature Center building has seasonal hours with accessible restroom stalls. There is an accessible parking spot.
At Breiter-Palm Park, children will find poured-in-place rubber surfacing, ramped play structure, a Sway Fun Glider, We-Saw, spinner, Cozy Dome, and musical instruments. The park also offers raised garden beds, a shaded picnic shelter, and accessible parking.
Brookfield: Salt Creek Trail System + Ehlert Park
The Salt Creek Trail System connects several forest preserves around Brookfield, La Grange Park, and Western Springs.
The Brookfield Woods to Possum Hollow Woods section offers a wide paved route with generally gentle terrain, although some portions may share roadways with vehicles. Another option is the paved Bemis Woods section, approximately three miles from Ehlert Park. This six-mile out-and-back route has accessible parking off Ogden Avenue and restroom facilities.
At Ehlert Park, the inclusive playground features a ramped play structure, an in-ground merry-go-round, an inclusive swing, a Nova Rocker, a communication board, activity panels, and poured-in-place rubber surfacing. Accessible pathways connect the playground to other park amenities.
Downers Grove: Patriots Park + Owen’s Playground for Kids of All Abilities
Patriots Park offers a 0.45-mile paved loop around Barth Pond, surrounded by trees and waterfront scenery. The smooth path has generally gentle terrain and includes accessible parking, benches, and a 10-foot-wide pedestrian bridge.
Approximately 2.5 miles away, Owen’s Playground for Kids of All Abilities features double-wide ramps, adaptive swings, an accessible glider, Gaga pits, and rubberized surfacing. A relaxation area provides a quieter space away from active play. This playground is located behind Hillcrest Elementary School and is open for community use after school hours and on non-school days.
Elmhurst: York Woods Forest Preserve + Playground for Everyone at Butterfield Park
York Woods Forest Preserve in Oak Brook features a 1.2-mile paved loop through wooded areas, with a connection to the Salt Creek Greenway. The trail is nearly flat, with accessible parking off Harger Road, accessible portable toilets, and benches along the route.
Approximately 1.5 miles away, Playground for Everyone at Butterfield Park in Elmhurst features double-wide ramps, a ground-level merry-go-round, an adaptive zipline, activity panels, adaptive swings, accessible glider, and wheelchair-accessible picnic tables. Poured-in-place rubber surfacing and shaded play areas support different ways to participate. The playground is fenced with one open entrance. Nearby restrooms have wheelchair-accessible stalls.
Lisle: Lisle Community Park + Discovery Playground
Lisle Community Park features a 2.1-mile loop along paved paths surrounding ponds and open green spaces. The route is generally gentle, although some steeper sections may require assistance. It also crosses Short Street twice, with accessible parking nearby.
Discovery Playground features a ramped play structure, wheelchair-accessible spinner, musical instruments, zip lines with adaptive seating, and rubberized surfacing. The playground is mostly enclosed, with parking nearby, and shaded picnic tables, making it possible to enjoy both activities without moving the car.
Lisle: Morton Arboretum + Discovery Playground or Sensory Garden Playground
The Morton Arboretum Meadow Lake Trail features a 0.55-mile paved loop surrounded by mature trees, native plants, and scenic water views. The accessible trail has nearby parking, restrooms, and benches with wheelchair space. Some sections reach an 8% slope, which may be challenging for independent mobility aid propulsion. General admission is required.
Families can extend their outing with a visit to one of two nearby inclusive playgrounds.
Discovery Playground in Lisle Community Park is approximately two miles away and offers a ramped play structure, wheelchair-accessible spinner, musical instruments, zip lines with adaptive seating, and rubberized surfacing.
Another option 3-miles away is the Sensory Garden Playground, which features accessible play structures, a wheelchair-accessible treehouse, sound and fragrance gardens, adaptive swings, ground-level merry-go-round, roller slide, and communication board. Families will also find accessible portable washrooms, ample shade structures, accessible picnic shelter, and downloadable visual supports.
Oak Brook: Central Park or York Woods Forest Preserve + The Sandlot – A Universal Playground
Families can combine a fall walk with a visit to The Sandlot – A Universal Playground, with two nearby trail options.
Central Park has a 2.5-mile paved North and South Loop through tree-lined paths and open green spaces. The route has mostly gentle terrain, with accessible parking and benches along the way. Shorter loops are also available.
The Sandlot is located within Central Park and features a double-wide ramped play structure, a dual-track zip line with adaptive seating, musical elements, interactive panels, ground-level merry-go-round, supportive seesaw, adaptive swing, and smooth rubberized surfacing. The playground is fully fenced with one entrance point that remains open.
The nearby Oak Brook Park District Family Recreation Center has a height-adjustable universal changing table in its inclusive family locker room. Changing facilities are available to all visitors whenever the building is open, including families visiting the playground.
For a more wooded walk, York Woods Forest Preserve is approximately three miles away. Its 1.2-mile paved loop has nearly flat terrain, with accessible parking and accessible portable restrooms.
South Elgin: Fox River Bike Trails + SEBA Park
The Fox River Bike Trail is a 10-mile paved loop that passes through North Aurora, Batavia, and Geneva, offering views of the water and colorful trees along the shoreline. This trail also passes through Fabyan Forest Preserve. Families can explore shorter sections of the trail before heading to the playground.
Another option is the Fox River Trail from Trout Park to Veterans Memorial Park in Elgin. This 4.2-mile out-and-back route is fully paved with asphalt, typically at least ten feet wide, and offers views of the Fox River through the trees. Estimated slopes are mostly gentle, with designated accessible parking at both ends. Benches and picnic tables provide places to rest along the route.
SEBA Park is a 10-mile drive north from Fabyan Forest Preserve and a 6-mile drive south from Trout Park. It is a nature-inspired inclusive playground with a ramped play structure, rubberized surfacing, a SwayFun Glider, accessible swings, and interactive play equipment. The park also offers restrooms, picnic areas, and a shaded shelter.
Fall Trails and Inclusive Playgrounds in the Northwest Suburbs
Bartlett: Poplar Creek Red Paved Trail + Free To Be Me Inclusive Playground at Bartlett Park
The Poplar Creek Red Paved Trail forms an 8.9-mile loop through woodland and prairie near Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg. The trail is mostly gentle, although some steeper sections may require assistance. Multiple entrances allow families to explore shorter sections rather than completing the loop.
Approximately six miles away, Free To Be Me Inclusive Playground at Bartlett Park features rubberized surfacing, wheelchair-accessible glider, a ground-level merry-go-round, swings, musical features, and equipment designed for older children. The playground also has shaded picnic seating.
Hoffman Estates: Busse Woods or Poplar Creek Red Paved Trail + Vogelei Park
Families have two paved trail options near Vogelei Park in Hoffman Estates.
The Busse Woods Red Paved Loop follows a 7.4-mile route around Busse Reservoir, with wooded areas and waterfront views. The smooth asphalt trail has generally gentle terrain, accessible parking, and multiple wheelchair-accessible restrooms at designated preserve locations. Families can explore shorter sections rather than completing the loop.
Busse Woods is approximately five miles from Vogelei Park, depending on the trailhead.
The Poplar Creek Red Paved Trail is another option, approximately four miles away. This 8.9-mile paved loop passes through woodland and prairie, with mostly gentle terrain and some steeper sections.
Vogelei Park’s inclusive playground features a ramped play structure, an in-ground merry-go-round, adaptive swings, a rocker, musical instruments, and interactive play panels. The park also has a paved path around its pond, a sensory garden, and shaded areas.
Wheeling: North Branch Trails + Mark Twain Park
The paved North Branch Trails connect several forest preserves and travels through the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe.
Within the Garden, East Road is also known as the North Branch Bike Trail. It offers a paved route with fall foliage near the Plant Conservation Science Center Woods. A separate, one-mile accessible connector travels through McDonald Woods and Turnbull Woods, linking the North Branch and Green Bay trails. Families can use the perimeter trail without Garden admission during operating hours.
Another option is Skokie Lagoons, where a 4.6-mile paved North Branch Trail route passes wooded areas and scenic waterways. The route has generally gentle terrain, with designated accessible parking at Tower Road and benches and picnic tables along the way.
Both trail destinations are approximately ten miles from Mark Twain Park, depending on the entrance.
Mark Twain Park in Wheeling features a ramped play structure with an accessible roller slide, supported seesaw, merry-go-round, and adaptive swings. The playground also has poured-in-place rubber surfacing, musical features, and a communication board. It is open for community use outside Mark Twain Elementary School hours.
Looking for more outdoor adventures? Explore our favorite parks with walking paths and inclusive playgrounds throughout Chicago’s suburbs.
