The best walks and hikes around Bensenville

Yes, most forest preserves in DuPage and Cook Counties allow dogs on their trails, provided they are leashed. Popular choices for dog walkers include the extensive trail systems at Busse Woods and Meacham Grove Forest Preserve, which offer plenty of space for you and your canine companion to explore.

The Bensenville region is excellent for family outings, with many easy, flat trails. The Salt Creek Greenway — Cricket Creek County Forest Preserve is a great option, offering a gentle path through woodlands. Additionally, the Redmond Recreational Complex in Bensenville has a 1.1-mile walking path perfect for a short, family-friendly stroll.

The immediate Bensenville area is characterized by gentle woodlands and prairies, so you won't find natural waterfalls on the local trails. For significant waterfalls and canyons, you would need to take a day trip to Starved Rock State Park, which is a couple of hours' drive away but offers a much more rugged hiking experience.

Absolutely. Many trails in the area are paved multi-use paths. A great example is the Red Paved loop — Busse Forest Nature Preserve, which provides a long, paved surface ideal for strollers, wheelchairs, and cycling.

If you prefer a hike that starts and ends in the same place without backtracking, the area has several options. The loop trail in Mallard Lake Forest Preserve is a local favorite that circles a large lake. For a longer circuit, the main trail at Busse Woods offers a substantial loop through the forest.

The Illinois Prairie Path is a major trail system accessible from several nearby towns. A good access point is via the Eisenhower Park via Illinois Prairie Path — Bellwood route, which connects local parks to this historic rail-to-trail path for a longer excursion.

Most of the major forest preserves near Bensenville, such as Busse Woods, Herrick Lake Forest Preserve, and Catherine Chevalier Woods, have dedicated parking lots at their main trailheads. These are generally free to use. However, they can get busy on weekends, so arriving earlier in the day is recommended to secure a spot.

Yes, the Des Plaines River Trail is a significant greenway that runs through the region. You can experience a pleasant section of it on the Schiller Woods to Robinson Woods North via Des Plaines River Trail — Chicago hike, which follows the river corridor and connects two forest preserves.

The trails around Bensenville are highly regarded by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.2 stars. Hikers often praise the accessibility of the trails, the well-maintained paved and gravel paths, and the peaceful atmosphere of the woodland and lakeside scenery within the forest preserves.

You can explore over 25 different hiking routes around Bensenville. The majority of these are easy trails suitable for all fitness levels, with a handful of moderate options for those seeking a slightly longer challenge. The terrain is mostly flat, focusing on woodlands and river greenways.

The landscape is defined by classic Midwestern scenery. Expect to hike through protected woodlands, open prairies, and preserved wetlands. Many popular trails, like those in Herrick Lake Forest Preserve and Busse Woods, feature paths that wind around lakes and follow riverbanks, offering peaceful water views.