Background Image

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 2024 hiking shields and zipper pulls are stocked, and we are excited. Happy trails!

How It Works

1. Download our Travel Log (en español) to record each hike. For groups larger than five, please submit additional Travel Logs.

  • Dogs can join the fun! The Paw-Print-iStock icon indicates dog-friendly trails. Record your dog's name on your Travel Log (en español) when they complete a hike with you and receive a commemorative dog tag for their collar. Up to three dogs per participant.

2. Walk seven of the designated 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. Bicycling and horseback riding do not count toward this program. 

Join an Upcoming Guided Hike!

3. Submit your Travel Log by January 31, 2025 to earn a free commemorative medallion.


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 2024 medallion features a periodical cicada

2024 Hike Lake County Shield    2024 Hike Lake County Zipper Pull

        Hiking shield              Zipper pull / Dog tag


Merchandise 

Hiking sticks and Golden Guide Books are available for purchase at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville.


Thank you for participating in the 2024 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. 

HLC_Header

2024 Hike Lake County Locations Mileage Trail Map Directions
Captain Daniel Wright Woods, Mettawa Paw-Print-iStock 1.2 » Let's Go!
Cuba Marsh, Deer Park Paw-Print-iStock 1.5 » Let's Go!
Fourth Lake, Lake Villa Paw-Print-iStock 1.9 » Let's Go!
Fox River, Port Barrington Paw-Print-iStock 2.2* » Let's Go!
Half Day, Vernon Hills Paw-Print-iStock ♦️ 1.1 » Let's Go!
Heron Creek, Lake Zurich Paw-Print-iStock 1.9 » Let's Go!
Lake Carina, Gurnee Paw-Print-iStock ♦️ 1 » Let's Go!
Lyons Woods, Waukegan Paw-Print-iStock 2* » Let's Go!
Raven Glen, Antioch Paw-Print-iStock 1.4 » Let's Go!
Ryerson Conservation Area, Riverwoods ♦️ 2.1* » Let's Go!
Sedge Meadow, Wadsworth Paw-Print-iStock 1.4 » Let's Go!
Sun Lake, Lake Villa Paw-Print-iStock 2.6* » Let's Go!
Wild Card Paw-Print-iStock 2* » Choose!

All Trail Maps: English    All Trail Maps: Spanish

You pick! Choose a 2-mile walk at any Lake County Forest Preserves trail.*

* Counts as two trails

Paw-Print-iStock Dog-friendly trails

♦️ Includes some sections of trail not ADA-accessible

HLC-Footer

Photos © Justine Neslund, R. Scott McNeill