Des Plaines River Trail
The Des Plaines River Trail is a recreational multiuse trail that follows the course of the Des Plaines River through most of Lake and part of Cook County in northeast Illinois in the United States. This trail connects with the North Branch Trail and Green Bay Trail.
Trail uses include hiking/walking, bicycling, equestrian, and even winter cross-country skiing and snowmobiling (conditions permitting). Since much of the trail lies in the flood plain along the Des Plaines River, sections of the trail are occasionally closed due to flooding during periods of heavy rain. Though not all sections of the trail connect directly, there is a section more than 31 miles (50km) long running through Lake County starting at Russell Road along the Wisconsin/Illinois state line and running south into Cook County. There are additional disconnected sections south of the town of Des Plaines.
Much of the Des Plaines River Trail runs through a protected corridor made up of a series of public lands that are part of the Lake County Forest Preserve District and the Cook County Forest Preserve District. The numerous forest preserves provide additional recreational opportunities along the trail. Underpasses and bridges are used to facilitate many (not all) of the major road crossings (The underpasses are highly prone to flooding during the spring).
Cook County Forest Preserve rangers give lectures at various times during the year. There is a nature house where forest animals reside for the public to view. The trails are very calm and beautiful, especially in the fall when the leaves change colors. A peak time to walk the trails is the second or third week in October. You can picnic right next to the Des Plaines River.
The unpaved Des Plaines River Trail follows its namesake river through more than a dozen forest preserves, allowing visitors to enjoy casual strolls, full-day adventures, and anything in between.
The Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway protects land along more than 76 percent of the river in Lake County, providing wildlife habitat, natural flood protection, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
The gravel trail spans nearly the entire length of Lake County for 31.4 miles as it winds through 12 forest preserves. It is open for hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, and snowmobiling (between Russell Road and Wadsworth Road only). Please keep dogs leashed and on trails at all times, and pick up after them. Learn about our off-leash Dog Parks (permit required).
The trail follows the river’s edge from Russell Road in Wadsworth south to Lake Cook Road where it connects to the Cook County Forest Preserve trail system. Bridges and underpasses from Wadsworth Road south make it possible to travel without crossing any major roads.
Located in the heart of Illinois’ largest concentration of natural lakes, Chain O’ Lakes State Park is a water-oriented recreation area with outstanding opportunities for boaters, anglers and skiers.
The park borders three natural lakes – Grass, Marie and Nippersink – and the Fox River that connects the other seven lakes (Bluff, Fox, Pistakee, Channel, Petite, Catherine, and Redhead) that make up the Chain. In addition, the park contains a 44-acre lake within its boundaries, Turner Lake. With nearly 6,500 acres of water and 488 miles of shoreline, Chain O’ Lakes State Park is the heart of a water wonderland.
Chain O’ Lakes State Park
Chain O’ Lakes State Park, located in northeast Illinois in both McHenry and Lake counties, became a state park in 1945 when the State of Illinois made an initial purchase of 840 acres. In the 1930s, a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp became the Chain O’ Lakes Conservation Area and was incorporated into the state park in 1957.
The park features seven picnic areas and four trail systems. The Nature’s Way hiking trail starts at Oak Grove Picnic Area and is 2 1/4 miles in length. The Pike Marsh North Picnic Area has an accessible trail that a quarter-mile long. The park also contains 8 miles of equestrian trail and a 6-mile biking/hiking trail. Camping is popular at Chain O’ Lakes, with more than 230 campsites and a youth group camp.
Fishing is popular in the Chain O ‘Lakes, featuring bluegill, largemouth bass, walleye, crappie, muskie, northern pike, bullhead, catfish, and yellow and white bass - as are seasonal hunting programs for dove, waterfowl, archery deer, and permit pheasant hunting.
Dove, waterfowl, archery deer, and permit pheasant hunting are available at the park. Hunting fact sheets, containing all hunting regulations, are available at the park office. All hunting is by registration only.