Spring Lake Forest Preserve is a sprawling outdoor destination located in the semi-rural, rolling hills of the northwest corner of Cook County, Illinois. Encompassing nearly 4,000 acres, this preserve features a diverse landscape of meadows, deep woods, and significant elevation changes, alongside serene lakes and ponds. The varied terrain makes it suitable for several sports like hiking, mountain biking, touring cycling, road cycling, and more.
Spring Lake Forest Preserve offers a range…
70
Routes
4.4
(45)
Average rating
907
People visited

4
hikers
11.3km
02:55
70m
60m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
hikers
3.27km
00:52
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
2.75km
00:43
20m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
2.47km
00:38
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
8
riders
4.13km
00:20
40m
30m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
2
riders
19.3km
01:01
90m
90m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

10.9km
00:35
30m
30m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

1.52km
00:08
10m
10m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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109km
04:32
390m
390m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

3.0
(1)
89
riders
49.3km
02:23
270m
270m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

54
riders
41.6km
02:00
170m
170m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

3.0
(1)
78
riders
41.9km
01:59
260m
260m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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1
runners
8.82km
00:55
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

30
runners
25.1km
02:37
180m
180m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

12
runners
24.0km
02:29
160m
160m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
runners
5.46km
00:36
60m
60m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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33.0km
01:59
130m
130m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(8)
55
riders
34.9km
02:03
80m
80m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

33
riders
6.96km
00:39
70m
70m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

33
riders
6.95km
00:34
70m
70m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Spring Lake Forest Preserve offers a wide range of activities including hiking, mountain biking, touring cycling, road cycling, and jogging. Visitors can also enjoy horseback riding on unpaved trails and fishing at Penny Road Pond and Beverly Lake. The preserve features nearly 4,000 acres of wilderness with an extensive trail network.
Yes, the preserve features over 45 miles of unpaved trails that wind through meadows and woods. These trails offer varied elevation changes, providing opportunities for diverse hiking experiences. More information can be found in the Hiking in Spring Lake Forest Preserve guide.
Spring Lake Forest Preserve is a recognized location for mountain biking, offering 13 trails suitable for both mountain and e-bikes. The diverse terrain provides varied experiences for riders. Explore specific routes in the MTB Trails in Spring Lake Forest Preserve guide.
Yes, the preserve supports various cycling styles, including touring and road cycling, on its extensive network of trails. Some routes feature mostly paved surfaces, while others are unpaved. Guides like Cycling in Spring Lake Forest Preserve and Road Cycling Routes in Spring Lake Forest Preserve provide more details.
The southern section of Spring Lake Forest Preserve is well-suited for families, offering picnic tables and restrooms. There are also specific guides for easier routes, such as Family-friendly hikes in Spring Lake Forest Preserve. These options make it accessible for visitors of all ages.
The preserve is characterized by its semi-rural, rolling hills, extensive meadows, and deep wooded areas. Key features include small lakes and ponds like Penny Road Pond and Beverly Lake, and diverse ecosystems within the 560-acre Spring Lake Nature Preserve. This area contains woodlands, prairie, marsh, fen, and the pristine Spring Creek.
Information regarding specific dog leash rules or off-leash areas for Spring Lake Forest Preserve should be verified with the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Generally, dogs are permitted on trails but must be kept on a leash. Visitors should check the official website for current regulations.
Spring Lake Forest Preserve is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 3,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The routes available have an average rating of 4.32 out of 5 stars from over 200 ratings. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users.
Komoot offers several guides for Spring Lake Forest Preserve, covering various activities and difficulty levels. Examples include Easy hikes, Family-friendly hikes, and guides for Running Trails. There are also guides for different cycling types, such as Traffic-free bike rides.
Spring Lake Forest Preserve is part of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The official website for information is fpdcc.com. For direct inquiries, the phone number for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County is +1-708-771-1330.
Yes, Spring Lake Forest Preserve offers trails suitable for various fitness levels, including easier options. Visitors looking for less strenuous routes can consult guides such as Easy hikes in Spring Lake Forest Preserve. These trails typically feature gentler terrain and shorter distances.
The terrain in Spring Lake Forest Preserve is diverse, featuring semi-rural rolling hills, large open meadows, and deep wooded areas. Trails include both flat expanses and significant elevation changes, which can feel challenging. This variety provides a dynamic experience for both hikers and cyclists.
Yes, the extensive network of unpaved trails in Spring Lake Forest Preserve is suitable for trail running. The varied terrain, including hills and meadows, offers a good workout for runners. A dedicated guide for Running Trails in Spring Lake Forest Preserve is available.

