Forest Preserves aren’t the only natural spaces for running in Chicagoland. These other parks have great trail systems for escaping the city to run on dirt or sand.
Palos Trail System: Though technically a mountain bike link, runners also love this extensive trail system southwest of Chicago, near Palisades. The network has a trail for everyone from seasoned veterans to new trail runners. Loops range anywhere from 1.3 to 9.2 miles, with opportunities to tack on mileage on the Cal-Sag, I&M, and Centennial multi-use paths. MAP
Indiana Dunes State Park: Don’t be fooled by this route’s location in Indiana — public transportation makes it accessible from Chicago in less than an hour. The trip is well worth it for stunning views of Lake Michigan. Running along the loose sand of the dunes is tough, but sand conditions are great for running along the beach and there are miles of paths through the forest behind the dunes. Trail 10 (5.5 miles) is the best of both worlds. MAP
Indiana Dunes National Park. Adjacent to Indiana Dunes State Park. We’ve developed a separate guide to Indiana
Knoch Knolls Nature Preserve/DuPage River Trail: This popular park in Naperville has about 5.5 miles of trails on its scenic grounds, which also include a disc golf course, picnic area, playing fields, and boat launch. The main paths are either dirt or mowed grass, and follow the DuPage River Trail east to DuPage River Park (good parking off Royce Rd.) & Whalon Lake . TRAIL MAP
Forest Preserves aren’t the only natural spaces for running in Chicagoland. These other parks have great trail systems for escaping the city to run on dirt or sand.
Palos Trail System: Though technically a mountain bike link, runners also love this extensive trail system southwest of Chicago, near Palisades. The network has a trail for everyone from seasoned veterans to new trail runners. Loops range anywhere from 1.3 to 9.2 miles, with opportunities to tack on mileage on the Cal-Sag, I&M, and Centennial multi-use paths. MAP
Indiana Dunes State Park: Don’t be fooled by this route’s location in Indiana — public transportation makes it accessible from Chicago in less than an hour. The trip is well worth it for stunning views of Lake Michigan. Running along the loose sand of the dunes is tough, but sand conditions are great for running along the beach and there are miles of paths through the forest behind the dunes. Trail 10 (5.5 miles) is the best of both worlds. MAP
Indiana Dunes National Park. Adjacent to Indiana Dunes State Park. We’ve developed a separate guide to Indiana
Knoch Knolls Nature Preserve/DuPage River Trail: This popular park in Naperville has about 5.5 miles of trails on its scenic grounds, which also include a disc golf course, picnic area, playing fields, and boat launch. The main paths are either dirt or mowed grass, and follow the DuPage River Trail east to DuPage River Park (good parking off Royce Rd.) & Whalon Lake . TRAIL MAP
Chicagoland almost has too many neighborhoods to count, but this guide to some of the top residential and corporate areas of the suburbs can help you find a place to run near your home, office, or hotel.
The Forest Preserves in the Chicago suburbs are a unique feature of the Chicago running scene. Here are our favorites of these beautiful green spaces, with route recommendations and trail maps.
Illinois has preserved the legacy of its railroads with an extensive network of multi-use paths. We’ve picked out the top paths for running, with maps and suggestions of best sections. See our overview map for the path closest to you!
Some gorgeous residential neighborhoods for running, including Oak Park, Fort Sheridian, Clarendon Hills, Buffalo Grove, and the Olmsted-designed Riverside.
Located in Cook County, this Olmsted-designed neighborhood -- one of the first planned communities in the United States -- is a gem for running, with leafy streets and historic homes.
Wonderful running in this upscale suburb on Chicago's north shore. Explore the NWU Campus, including 2 miles of lakeshore path. Also beautiful residential streets, and inland the Channel Trail along the North Branch of the Chicago River.
This run features the wonderful for running streets of Chicago’s North Shore neighborhoods, including a tour of Highland Park following the North Shore Classic Half Marathon course. Glencoe and Winnetka are also great for running.
Some scenic running in Zion at the north end of Chicagoland: nature trails and multi-use trails through dunes & wetlands at Illinois Beach State Park; 2.2 mile Zion Trail; and trails in North Dunes Nature Preserve and around North Point Marina. Can be combined!
Wonderful running around Wolf Lake and along Lake Michigan in the Chicago East Side/Calumet area on the Illinois/Indiana border. Lake views, savanna, marshland, dunes. We've mapped several terrific loops, which can be combined.
Adjacent parks feature some wonderful running options through a variety of terrain, including spectacular dunescapes, marshlands, forests, and many miles of beachfront along Lake Michigan. Only an hour from Chicago!
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Indiana Dunes State Park: Don’t be fooled by this route’s location in Indiana — public transportation makes it accessible from Chicago in less than an hour. The trip is well worth it for stunning views of Lake Michigan. Running along the loose sand of the dunes is tough, but sand conditions are great for running along the beach and there are miles of paths through the forest behind the dunes. Trail 10 (5.5 miles) is the best of both worlds. MAP
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Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!