Best trails in Libertyville, Illinois

Complete and detailed guide of the Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway from the Old School Preserve to Lake-Cook Road. The Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway traverses Lake County, Illinois, North to South, over 31 miles as it winds it's way along the Des Plaines River connecting preserves, local parks, and communities. Unlike typicall arrow straight rails-to-trails projects, this improved trail offers quiet and fun riding as it meanders lazily to and fro following the Des Plaines River over a virtually flat trail. Multiple access points over it's length make it accessible via auto, bike, or pedestrian traffic and provide limitless options for riders of all levels of skill and experience. This complete and detailed guide covers the Des Plaines River Trail and all it's access points, trailheads, parking, connecting trails, communities, parks, preserves, and facilities (including restrooms and water) between the Old School Forest Preserve and Lake-Cook Road. This guide provides over 40 points of interest and even more beautiful photos on the Des Plaines River Trail, viewable via your browser at home, or on the fly trailside via your mobile phone.Show more

Centered around a 115-acre lake, this preserve offers a variety of opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature education. Surrounding prairie and woodlands provide a picturesque backdrop for hiking, biking, picnicking and other fun activities. Roughly 6.25 miles of trails circle the lake and run through scenic natural areas here. The map on this page shows the 2.3 mile Lakeside Trail, which is a gravel loop that goes along the shores of the lake. Visitors here may also choose the 2.5 mile Overlook Trail. This paved trail is slightly outside the other loop, and also circumvents the lake. This trail can also be found on AllTrails. While part of the larger preserve, the Independence Grove Dog Park has its own separate entrance on Milwaukee Avenue, just north of Route 137.Show more

Note: A good portion of this trail is currently closed to dogs due to overly aggressive coyotes. Accessibility: This packed gravel trail is estimated to typically be at least 9 feet wide. The slope is estimated to range from 0-7% grade. While most of the trail is gentle in slope, there may be a short section that is moderately steep at the 2.3 mile mark.Show more

Centered around a 115-acre lake, this preserve offers a variety of opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature education. Surrounding prairie and woodlands provide a picturesque backdrop for hiking, biking, picnicking and other fun activities. Roughly 6.25 miles of trails circle the lake and run through scenic natural areas here. The map on this page shows the 2.5 mile Overlook Trail, which is a paved loop that goes around the outer edge of the preserve. Visitors here may also choose the 2.3 mile Lakeside Trail. This gravel trail is slightly inside the outer loop, and also circumvents the lake. This trail can also be found on AllTrails. While part of the larger preserve, the Independence Grove Dog Park has its own separate entrance on Milwaukee Avenue, just north of Route 137.Show more

Note: There are no official trails in Almond Marsh Forest Preserve. This area is mostly a path for birdwatchers. The pull off to this trail is from a fast moving highway, use extreme caution when parking. Show more

Named "Best Dog Park" by North Shore magazine. These 30-acres are just for dogs. An annual or daily permit and a dog are required for entry. Permits allow access to all four Dog Parks. Daily permits can be purchased in advance online or at a self-pay station located in the parking lot of each park. You must have a dog and a permit to enter this park. This 30-acre are just for dogs features fields and wooded areas, and a large pond for swimming and retrieving games. It is fenced on two sides with access on the west side to the Des Plaines River Trail. Annual permit allows access to all four Dog Parks. Annual permits are valid for the calendar year only, and are not prorated. Daily permit allows one day's access to all four Dog Parks. Purchase online now, or at self-pay stations (Fee: $5) located in the parking lot of each site for spur-of-the-moment visits. Clean up after your dog. Bags provided. Deposit bags and all other litter in proper receptacles. Failure to pick up after your dog could result in a $85 fineShow more