| Outdoor recreation fun in your forest preserves doesn't end when winter arrives. Nearly 124 miles of challenging and fun cross-country skiing trails await beginners and skilled enthusiasts.
Cross-country skiing is allowed along any forest preserve hiking trail as soon as there is snow, except at Ryerson Conservation Area, where a 4-inch snow base is required in order to protect sensitive habitat at that Dedicated Illinois Nature Preserve site. Cross-country skiing is also permitted on dedicated equestrian trails at Lakewood and Raven Glen forest preserves.
Groomed trails are available when conditions allow at the Winter Sports Area at Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda and at Old School Forest Preserve in Libertyville. Grooming is typically done two days after a large snow.
Check here for current winter sports conditions or call our hotline at 847-968-3235. |