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Recreation Activities

Hike Lake County

Like to hike? Experience Hike Lake County! Our annual fall walking program is a great way to enjoy time outdoors and reconnect with nature while exploring trails in preserves across the county. The trails are marked, the 2022 hiking shields and zipper pulls are stocked, and we are excited. Happy trails!

How It Works

1. Download our Travel Log to record each hike. Every hiker needs their own.

  • Your canine companion can join the fun. Keep a lookout for Paw-Print-iStock to determine which trails are dog-friendly. Record the dog's name in your Travel Log when they complete a hike with you and receive a commemorative dog tag for their collar. Up to three dogs per human hiker.

2. Walk seven of the designated "Hike Lake County" trails (or complete all 12) between August 15 and November 30. Look for the Hike Lake County logo at the trailhead of each participating preserve to get started on the right route. Please note that bicycling and horseback riding do not count toward this program. 

Join an Upcoming Guided Hike!

3. Submit your Travel Log by January 31, 2023, to earn a free commemorative medallion.


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Commemorative Medallions

Once you complete seven of this year's Hike Lake County trails, choose from one of the following commemorative medallions, while supplies last. The 2022 medallion features the rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis).

  • Hiking shield
  • Zipper pull / Dog tag

Merchandise 

Hiking sticks and Golden Guide Books are available for purchase at the Dunn Museum or Ryerson Welcome Center.


Thank you for participating in the 2022 Hike Lake County program. We love to read your notes and hear about your experiences exploring this year's trails.

Call 847-367-6640 or email forestpreserves@LCFPD.org for assistance. 

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2022 Hike Lake County Locations Mileage Trail Map Directions
Buffalo Creek, Long Grove Paw-Print-iStock 2.75* » Let's Go!
Ethel's Woods/Raven Glen, Antioch Paw-Print-iStock 1.5 » Let's Go!
Grant Woods, Lake Villa Paw-Print-iStock ♦️ 1.6 » Let's Go!
Greenbelt, Waukegan Paw-Print-iStock 1.8 » Let's Go!
Hastings Lake, Lake Villa Paw-Print-iStock 2.3* » Let's Go!
Independence Grove, Libertyville 1.4 » Let's Go!
Lakewood, Wauconda ♦️ 1.3 » Let's Go!
Marl Flat, Round Lake Paw-Print-iStock 1.8 » Let's Go!
Old School, Libertyville Paw-Print-iStock 1.1 » Let's Go!
Ryerson Conservation Area, Deerfield ♦️ 2* » Let's Go!
Spring Bluff, Winthrop Harbor Paw-Print-iStock 1.8 » Let's Go!
Van Patten Woods, Wadworth Paw-Print-iStock 2.3* » Let's Go!
Wild Card–You Pick! Paw-Print-iStock 2* » Choose!

Choose a 2-mile Lake County Forest Preserves trail for your Wild Card.

All Maps »

 

* Counts as two trails

Paw-Print-iStock Dog-friendly trails

♦️ Natural surface trails, not ADA accessible