Lake County is home to some fantastic forest preserves and some great playgrounds. After a long, long winter, many of us are ready to get moving. I jog with a running stroller at least once a week at several area trails; most of the trails are crushed limestone. It’s packed good enough. I don’t have any trouble, and my oldest has biked alongside me also with no problem. However, I have a little one on a tricycle and another who wants to take her scooter. Not to mention that it seems like we are going to have a fairly wet spring. After all that snow, mud is not what I am looking forward to when I finally get out!
So we’ve searched high and low (or the Lake County Forest Preserve District Website), asked in running groups, and crowd-sourced our friends and fans and we present to you, the ultimate list of paved paths in Lake County.
Paved Trails in Lake County
Paved Lake County Forest Preserve Trails:
- Many parts of the Millennium Trail are paved. North of Singing Hills is the most consistent, although there are still areas of gravel.
- Fort Sheridan {Highland Park}
Fort Sheridan offers several trails, and only the Lakefront trail is paved. There is no playground, and the lakefront is not for swimming, so this may be best for visits with older kids or alone. - Hastings Lake {Lake Villa}
This is our new favorite LCFPD park. It has a 2-mile paved loop around the lake and the best new playground we have been to. - Independence Grove {Libertyville}
It’s well known how much we love this park. This preserve offers large paved loops as well as a playground, bathrooms, marina, and beach. - Old School {Libertyville}
Old School has a relatively large paved loop as well as a playground and bathrooms. There is also lots of open space that is perfect for kite flying. Check out the Pink Trail if you have kids that need to move, although it’s not paved.
Park District Paved Trails:
- Central Park {Grayslake}
Features include football/soccer, baseball fields, fishing pier, horseshoes, shuffleboard, bocce ball, picnic shelter, and restrooms. Two playgrounds including the West Side playground just off Lake Street which was completely redone in 2014. Central Park is also home to the very popular and FREE splash pad which is open during the summer. The 1 3/8 mile paved bike path and running loop circles Central Park and runs behind Grayslake Middle School, past the Grayslake Aquatic Center, and through a wooded greenway. - Century Park {Vernon Hills}
Century Park is a large park that has multiple paths, all paved, and 2 playgrounds. Read Maureen’s review of the playground. - Deerpath Park {Vernon Hills}
Paved loop through this gorgeous park that goes around the Arbotheater as well as multiple parks including Castle Park – a favorite of my kids! Read Maureen’s review of the Kid’s Castle playground. - Hanrahan Park {Mundelien}
Offers a paved path that goes around the park and pond as well as a playground. Read Tracy’s review of the playground. - Hawthorn Melody Park {Vernon Hills}
Has a paved path that is like a running track as well as a playground. - Hunt Club Park {Gurnee}
Hunt Club Park offers a large looped trail, playground, fields, as well as restrooms. The aquatic center is also located at this park. Read about the tot lot. - Ravinia Park {Gurnee}
Paved loop with a playground and sandbox. Read our profile. - Viking Park {Gurnee}
Viking park has a large paved loop that circles its athletic fields. There is also a playground but the paved loop is at the opposite side of the park as the playground, it does not circle it. - Wadsworth Village Park {Wadsworth}
Paved loop around the fields as well as a small playground. - Willow Stream Park {Buffalo Grove}
The really big paved path that loops the pools and fields as well as a playground
Lake Forest has several miles of paved paths, these are mostly for biking.
If playgrounds aren’t a must Mundelein has several miles of paved trails that go from Steeple Chase Golf Course all the way to Mundelein High School, onto Midlothian, and all the way through the Lake County Fair Grounds where it hooks up with the Prairie Crossing trails.
If you don’t have a paved verses gravel preference be sure to check out our list of Forest Preserve Trails with Playgrounds.
What’s your favorite trail? Tell us about it in the comments!
You are missing Millennium Trail through Wauconda. While most of the trail is crushed gravel, some parts of it are paved, like through the Liberty Lakes subdivision.
Gurnee O’plaine community park is a favorite. There is a playground for littles and another for older kids. Basketball. Paved path around the playground that is small enough to see the playground all but maybe 10 feet. Also larger trail also paved around the baseball fields. There is a small pavilion w bathrooms and water fountain.
There is also the paved trail around the central park and aquatic center in Grayslake!