When that cabin fever strikes, head outside for some new outdoor winter activities with the kids. Think cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or a winter hike. A dose of fresh air and a little outdoor exercise are paramount when that cooped up feeling starts to settle in over the winter months. It’s truly an instant mood boost. If you haven’t tried some of these cold weather pastimes before, get outside, try something new, and add it to your list of family fun,
We’ve researched the best options in the area (that are quite beautiful and serene, too) for making new memories in the great outdoors together. You might be surprised at how reinvigorating and peaceful a wintertime hike can be.
Don’t have the equipment? No worries. We’ve listed options for cross country ski and snowshoe rentals!
Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoe Rentals
Arrowhead Golf Club
26W151 Butterfield Road
Wheaton, IL 60189
(630) 653-5800
A public golf club offering 2-hour cross-country ski rental packages for poles, skis and boots. $25 per adult and $15 for children under 12. They also rent individual items: skis are $15, boots are $10, and poles $7. Reservations only accepted by calling (630) 653-5800. Check trail conditions here.
Bartlett Nature Center
2054 W. Stearns Road
Bartlett, IL 60103
(847) 608-3120
Snowshoes can be rented from the Bartlett Nature Center after snow has covered the ground; see details on snowshoe rentals before you head out. Be sure to call ahead to confirm availability.
Blackwell Forest Preserve
Entrance is on Butterfield Road between Batavia Road and Winfield Road
Warrenville, IL 60555
(630) 933-7200
Rent snowshoes at the base of the hill through February from 10am – 2pm for $10/day when there’s plenty of snow on the trails. Check the DuPage Forest Preserve Facebook page for updates.
Fullersburg Woods
3609 Spring Road
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(630) 850-8110
Rent snowshoes for $10/day at the Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center as long as there’s snow on the trails. Snowshoe rental is open until February 22, 2025. Hours are 10am – 4pm with rentals ending at 2pm.
Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve
27064 Dutton Road
Beecher, IL 60401
(815) 727-8700
Snowshoe rentals at Plum Creek Nature Center are $5/day for adults; kids under 12 are free. This preserve features over two miles of natural surface trail, ideal for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking. Seasonal hours are Wednesday-Sunday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Be sure to check the preserves’ Facebook page or call (708) 946-2216 to check conditions.
Hidden Oaks Nature Center
419 Trout Farm Road
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
(815) 722-4121
The preserve surrounding Hidden Oaks Nature Center offers a 0.6-mile natural surface trail for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and hiking. Call the Nature Center for updated rental info and follow their Facebook page for other updates.
Joliet Nordic Ski Club
Pilcher Park Nature Center
2501 Highland Park Drive
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 545-2884
The club offers waxless classic skis for rental at the Pilcher Park Nature Center in a limited amount of adult and children sizes. Hours are 10am – 2pm. Skis must be returned by closing time. Check the club’s Facebook page for updates.
Lincoln Marsh
1000 W Lincoln Avenue
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 871-2810
Snowshoe rental available with 24 hour advance registration; no drop-ins. Cost is $8 per hour (maximum of 3 hours) for a pair of snowshoes during the week and $20 per hour on the weekends. Limited sizes available for adults and children.
Lyman Woods Nature Center
901 31st Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 963-9388
Adult and children’s snowshoes are available for rent at the Lyman Woods Interpretive Center on a first-come, first-served basis after four inches of snow. The rental fee for three hours is $10/pair. Be sure to verify hours of the Interpretive Center in advance.
Matthiessen State Park
2500 IL-178
Oglesby, IL 61348
(815) 667-4868
There are 6 miles of cross-country ski trails; bring your own skis or snowshoes. In addition to this location, there are several other Illinois State Parks that allow cross-country skiing with your own equipment.
The Morton Arboretum
4100 Illinois Route 53
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 968-0074
Cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals are available on a first come, first served basis when there are four or more inches of snow on the ground. Cross-country skis (includes boots and poles) for 2-hour rental are $23/member and $25/guest for adults and children. Snowshoe rentals for adults are $18 for members and $20 for guests; for ages 10 and younger they are $15 for members and $17 for guests; poles rented separately. Rentals available until
March 23, 2025.
Red Oak Nature Center
930 N. River Road
North Aurora, Illinois
(630) 897-1808
Snowshoes and are available for rent weekdays (10am – 3pm) at the Red Oak Nature Center whenever the snow cover is three inches or more. You can rent a pair of snowshoes (with poles included) for $5 a pair.
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center
12545 West 111th Street
Lemont, IL 60439
(630) 257-2045
Cross-country skis are available for rent from 9am to 2pm daily. You must reserve a rental time online. Equipment must be returned by 3:45 pm. Included in the rental are skis, bindings, boots and poles in all youth and adult sizes. Updated information available on the Cook County Forest Preserve’s Facebook
Springbrook Nature Center
130 Forest Avenue
Itasca, IL 60143
(630) 773-5572
Snowshoe rental available for $5 (with ID) through Springbrook Nature Center Saturday and Sunday 11am-3:30 pm with 3″ of snow. Hours change seasonally, check Springbrook Nature Center Facebook for updates.
Spring Valley
1111 E Schaumburg Road
Schaumburg, IL 60194
(847) 985-2100
Snowshoe rentals are currently available for $5 per hour (with ID) on a first-come, first-served basis from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. All rentals must be returned by 4 p.m. First time snowshoers will receive short instruction course.
5 Gorgeous Spots for Winter Hikes
Moraine Hills State Park
1510 S River Rd.
McHenry, IL 60051
(815) 385-1624
Check out Moraine Hills for more than 10 miles of trails offering great scenic and wildlife viewing opportunities. Their Facebook page is a good place to find out conditions at the park.
The Morton Arboretum
4100 Illinois Route 53
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 968-0074
Wander through 16 miles of scenic winter beauty on pedestrian-only trails. The Arboretum also offers great children and family programming with winter activities for young explorers.
Shabbona Lake State Park
4201 Shabbona Grove Rd.
Shabbona, IL 60550
(815) 824-2106
Enjoy over eight miles of scenic hiking and cross-country skiing trails that are woven through the wooded areas of the park. Check out the trail map before you head out, or grab one onsite at the office when you arrive.
Starved Rock State Park
Oglesby, IL 61348
(815) 667-4211
Visitors come from all over to explore the bluffs, canyons and frozen waterfalls situated on over 13 miles of well-marked trails that are open all year at Starved Rock. After your winter hike, warm up with a coffee or hot cocoa at the nearby Starved Rock Lodge Cafe.
Waterfall Glen
Main Entrance on Northgate Rd.
Darien, IL
(630) 933-7200
Winter hikers can enjoy some of Waterfall Glen’s most picturesque areas over almost 11 miles of trails. Check out the trail map in advance, as there are different levels of difficulty depending on how keen of a hiker you are.
Did you know there’s some etiquette involved in navigating the trails while enjoying these wintertime adventures? Take a look at this helpful article to get the low down before you go!
For more outdoorsy winter fun, be sure to check out our complete list for the Best Forest Preserve Trails for Kids! And, our comprehensive guide to Winter Activities for Kids and Families in the Western Suburbs is full of more inspiration to keep the fun going all winter long.
