As you settle back into school, don’t forget about scheduling some family time, or maybe just some “me time.” Fall is a perfect time to get outside and explore the natural wonders of Lake County. The Lake County Forest Preserve District will help motivate and encourage you with the annual Hike Lake County Challenge.
How does it work? Start by downloading the Lake County Forest Preserve mobile app to track your hikes or print the Travel Log from LCFPD’s website. Each hiker, parents and children alike, will need their own log. Have a pup that likes to walk with you? Add their name to the log too!
At each preserve, you visit, seek out the Hike Lake County logo at the trailhead to set off on the correct path. You’ll have until November 30th, to complete seven of the 12 designated hikes (make sure to check the website for participating trails). Once the hikes are completed, you’ll earn a shield for your hiking stick or a commemorative zipper pull, pups that join you will earn a dog tag. Submit your travel log online or in person at any of the Hike Lake County Centers. Bicycling or horseback riding do not count toward the program.
According to LCFPD the following trails are part of the 2019 Hike Lake County Challenge.
2019 Hike Lake County Locations |
Mileage |
Map |
| Des Plaines River Trail–Route 60 Canoe Launch | 1.9 miles | Trail Map » |
| Fourth Lake–Operations Facility | 2.3 miles* | Trail Map » |
| Grant Woods–Grand Avenue | 1.7 miles | Trail Map » |
| Grassy Lake | 1.8 miles | Trail Map » |
| Independence Grove | 2.6 miles* # | Trail Map » |
| Lakewood–Winter Sports Area | 1.7 miles | Trail Map » |
| Nippersink | 1.2 miles | Trail Map » |
| Pine Dunes | 2.2 miles* | Trail Map » |
| Ryerson Woods | 1.6 miles# ^ | Trail Map » |
| Singing Hills | 3.2 miles* | Trail Map » |
| Spring Bluff | 1.8 miles | Trail Map » |
| Van Patten Woods | 1.7 miles | Trail Map » |
|
Wild Card–You Pick! |
2 miles* | Trail Map » |
* Counts as two trails # No dogs allowed ^ Not ADA accessible
Independence Grove, Lakewood, and Van Patten Woods all have playgrounds. Nippersink is one of our favorite little hikes and both it and Ryerson Woods have trail tales making them fun for kids.
If you’re using the LCFPD mobile app, you can check-in (Facebook log-in required) and share pictures. View other hikers’ photos and comment there, too. Bring in your mobile device to show your check-ins to a Hike Lake County Center by January 31, 2020, to complete the challenge.
If you’re looking for trails to hike with little ones, check out Jenna’s post, Best Hikes For Little Hikers In Lake County.
Have you completed a Hike Lake County Challenge in the past? Tell us about it. What’s your favorite trail to hike in Lake County?
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