The best gravel rides around Woodridge

Nice park, has restroom facilities.

Step back in time as you explore the historic farmsteads dating to the late 1800s at this site. A rare gabled-roofed farmhouse remains, one of the last of its style in DuPage County, along with a massive wood-planked German barn dating back to 1890, if not earlier. The worn fieldstone foundation of another vintage barn can still be spotted. In the 1920s, Chauncey and Marion McCormick acquired the property, pursuing their passion for horses by building colonial-style red brick stables with imported English iron posts. To support their award-winning herd of Guernsey cows, they constructed an innovative dairy barn with spacious stalls and various outbuildings that set the standard for Midwest farmers. Later, their son Brooks and wife Hope erected the indoor arena that hosted equestrian events and a therapeutic riding program. Today, this charming arena with idyllic river birch views can be rented out for small gatherings, letting you experience the rich agricultural history of this special place.

This is where the Wheaton Bike Route Network intersects with Illinois Prairie Path Aurora Branch. While most parts of the Illinois Prairie Path is unpaved, it is hard packed stone, so you could ride it with a road bike with thicker tires.

The West Branch DuPage River Trail is a paved path that runs along the river, shaded and lined with plenty of wildflowers and trees.

Step back in time as you explore the historic farmsteads dating to the late 1800s at this site. A rare gabled-roofed farmhouse remains, one of the last of its style in DuPage County, along with a massive wood-planked German barn dating back to 1890, if not earlier. The worn fieldstone foundation of another vintage barn can still be spotted. In the 1920s, Chauncey and Marion McCormick acquired the property, pursuing their passion for horses by building colonial-style red brick stables with imported English iron posts. To support their award-winning herd of Guernsey cows, they constructed an innovative dairy barn with spacious stalls and various outbuildings that set the standard for Midwest farmers. Later, their son Brooks and wife Hope erected the indoor arena that hosted equestrian events and a therapeutic riding program. Today, this charming arena with idyllic river birch views can be rented out for small gatherings, letting you experience the rich agricultural history of this special place.

St. James Farm Bike Trail is a wide gravel path that weaves through St. James Farm, passing natural beauties like forests, fields, and streams, as well as some interesting man-made features like the "Horse and Hound Cemetery", some naturally planted woods with trees all in a neat row, and even a railroad car on a display can be found on the north end of East Pond.

This is the northern part of the West Branch DuPage River Trail, where the dirt path ends and a paved path begins. Do you feel like riding a little longer? Head south on this trail. Craving more gravel riding? Turn back north here!

This is a small dam on the Dupage River Trail, with warning signs about flooding. This west branch of the DuPage River is 35 miles long and starts in Campanelli Park, flowing through Bartlett, Wayne, Wheaton, Warrenville, Winfield, and Naperville.