Hike, bike, or trot the trails in the Palos Forest Preserves, Chicago’s largest natural area. 

It can be a challenge to find a truly immersive nature experience in the Chicago metropolitan area, but the Palos Forest Preserves deliver that very thing, with over 50 miles of trails traversing 15,000 acres of land. 

Located in the southwest suburbs, the preserves are also easily accessible from the city, with large parking lots located at various trailheads. Ecological restoration projects throughout the forest preserves have been underway for over 15 years, allowing a variety of natural areas such as woodlands, prairies, and sloughs to flourish in every season. 

For first-time visitors or families, the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center offers interpretive exhibits, nature-inspired play areas, and easy access to short trails. The paved garden trail is one of the few stroller-friendly trails in the system, as most are unpaved. 

Because of the size of the forest preserves, and the variety of trails, check the Palos Forest Preserves website ahead of time to select the one that best fits your experience and ability level. Here are some recommendations for child-friendly or beginner-level hikes:

Spears Woods: Wide dirt paths lead through a peaceful forest, cross a small ravine, and circle through a restored  prairie. These trails are also equestrian trails, so you may encounter riders ambling along on their horses! This is a great, comfortable walk for those with little kids or for simply getting a change of scenery on a beautiful natural setting. 

Country Lane Woods: The trail takes you into a ravine leading into the woods and a marshy slough area. The forest floor is carpeted with white flowers in the spring. The ravine can be steep in a few spots, and slippery after rain or snow. The rest of the trail is easier to navigate as it runs across flat land. 

The trails throughout the preserve are named by color and marked by posts along the trails. The trails crisscross and connect to each other at various points throughout the area, so it’s good to have a map handy to keep track of your route to avoid getting off course. You will need to turn back the way you came to return to the trailhead at any of these trails. The dirt trails can be slippery after a rainfall or uneven with rocks and tree roots, so close-toed shoes with good grip on the soles are recommended. 

The Palos Forest Preserve trails are also considered to offer the best mountain biking in the Chicago area, particularly on the Pulaski Woods trails. Mountain biking is only permitted on designated trails. If you’re hiking, it’s best to choose non-mountain biking designated trails, rather than trying to share a path with the bikers. If you enjoy mountain biking, you’ll find the trails to be challenging and fun, punctuated by ravines, narrow turns, and deeply wooded areas. 

The main trailheads located throughout the forest preserves have large free parking lots, with picnic tables and porta potties located at each. The unpaved trails could be navigable with an all-terrain stroller, but the trails are best for kids 3 and older who have the stamina and balance for managing the unpaved surfaces. 

Nearby suburbs offer multiple options to grab food before or after visiting the preserves, but make sure to pack enough water and snacks for the hike itself.