The Des Plaines Trail Passes Through A Dozen Nature Preserves In Illinois
By Melissa Mahoney|Published November 01, 2021
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
If you love discovering new trails, there’s one in Lake County worth exploring. Along the length of the Des Plaines River is an incredible trail that cuts through 12 nature preserves. The Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway covers over 30 miles, winding its way through a variety of landscapes with river views almost the entire way. If you haven’t yet been on this trail for a hike or bike ride, you should make plans to go.
The Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway begins at Van Patten Woods in Wadsworth. If you want to start the trail at mile marker zero, there's a parking lot on Russell Road by the preserve.
Totaling 31.4 miles, the trail passes through 12 forest preserves found throughout the entire length of Lake County. Almost all of these preserves have parking lots close to the trail, so you can begin your journey at any point.
Throughout the length of the trail you'll encounter underpasses and bridges that go under or over roads. This prevents hikers and cyclists from having to cross any busy roads.
Protecting most of the land along the Des Plaines River, you'll see a variety of landscapes and wildlife as you pass through each preserve. From prairies to valleys, woodlands to savannas, it's a trail nature lovers will enjoy.
A variety of recreational activities are possible along the Des Plaines River Trail throughout the year. Hiking and biking are the most popular, but horseback riding is also allowed. Come wintertime when there's snow on the ground, snowmobiling in a designated section of the trail is possible as well as cross-country skiing.
This magnificent trail eventually ends at Lake Cook Road where it links to the trails through Cook County's preserves. If you wish, you can continue your journey!
By trail or by river, the Des Plaines River Valley is a gorgeous area of nature preserves and wildlife that's worth seeing and exploring!
Have you explored any of the Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway? Let us know in the comments. For more information and to see a trail map, visit the Lake County Forest Preserves website.
If you enjoy long hikes or bike rides, try the Grand Illinois Trail. At 535 miles, it’s the longest bike trail in the state!
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