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.
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Dogs can join the fun! The 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.
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Submit Online
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Submit In-Person
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Mail To: Lake County Forest Preserves, 1899 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville, IL 60048
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.
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.
2024 Hike Lake County Locations |
Mileage |
Trail Map |
Directions |
Captain Daniel Wright Woods, Mettawa |
1.2 |
» |
Let's Go! |
Cuba Marsh, Deer Park |
1.5 |
» |
Let's Go! |
Fourth Lake, Lake Villa |
1.9 |
» |
Let's Go! |
Fox River, Port Barrington |
2.2* |
» |
Let's Go! |
Half Day, Vernon Hills ♦️ |
1.1 |
» |
Let's Go! |
Heron Creek, Lake Zurich |
1.9 |
» |
Let's Go! |
Lake Carina, Gurnee ♦️ |
1 |
» |
Let's Go! |
Lyons Woods, Waukegan |
2* |
» |
Let's Go! |
Raven Glen, Antioch |
1.4 |
» |
Let's Go! |
Ryerson Conservation Area, Riverwoods ♦️ |
2.1* |
» |
Let's Go! |
Sedge Meadow, Wadsworth |
1.4 |
» |
Let's Go! |
Sun Lake, Lake Villa |
2.6* |
» |
Let's Go! |
Wild Card |
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
Dog-friendly trails
♦️ Includes some sections of trail not ADA-accessible
Photos © Justine Neslund, R. Scott McNeill