West DuPage Woods Forest Preserve — Attraction in Illinois

I hiked to the DuPage River this weekend. Beginner friendly trail. The trail had nice curves along the trail. Hiked the Red Oak trail 1.2 miles and half of the West branch 1.4 miles. It started getting dark so we headed back to eat our lunch. I was hoping to see some Coyotes from a far but didn’t see one here. It has rare Marsh/wetland. It was muddy in certain parts due to snow melting. Bring a bag if you change shoes to put them in. Some parts of the trail had snow/ice others were just wet dirt/gravel. I sank in a bit taking a pic by the river lol. If you do hike the west branch trail you have to walk 3 blocks through a neighborhood to connect back to the West branch trail. It is labeled so you will not get lost.

Please see pic of map for trail connection questions. This was only the West part.

Trail length: Red Oak trail 1.2 miles and West branch 1.4 miles.

Parking: Yes, Small though.

Dog friendly: Yes. Keep dogs leashed for safety. It is a Coyote habitat. Pic of sign advising this.

Seating along path: Only saw one or two along the trail.

Bathrooms: Yes, only saw one at the parking area. Did not see any porta potties anywhere else.

Has designated picnic area: Yes, at parking lot area.

Strict or relaxed: relaxed.

It’s Sara & Sarah on YouTube to...

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I recently visited West DuPage Woods Forest Preserve and was thoroughly impressed with the experience. The trails are fantastic, offering ample space for exploration and immersion in nature. Whether you're an avid hiker or just looking for a peaceful stroll, these trails provide the perfect backdrop.

During my visit, I did notice that some paths were a bit muddy, and there were occasional horse droppings along the way. However, these minor aspects did not detract from the overall beauty and enjoyment of the preserve. It's a reminder that you're truly in a natural and shared space.

The vastness of the area allows for a sense of solitude and connection with nature, which is a rare find. The forest preserve is well-maintained, and the variety of flora and fauna adds to the charm of the place.

Whether you're a local or just passing through, I highly recommend a visit to West DuPage Woods Forest Preserve. It's a perfect spot for a day out in nature, offering a great balance of well-kept trails and the wild beauty of the outdoors. Don't forget to wear appropriate footwear, and enjoy your time in this wonderful...

Beautiful forest preserve that's almost completely covered by trees. There's over 6 miles of trails through the woods.

The preserves two areas are separated by the West Branch DuPage River. The main area of the preserve is west of the river, off of Route 59. This area features wide paved and crushed gravel trails and is the more popular area.

The other area is east of the river, off of Grays Mill Road. This was my favorite area because the trails are natural, dirt and grass, and the trails take you deeper in the woods than the other area. I was the only person here on a Saturday afternoon.

Each area has over 3 miles of trails, so there's plenty of space to get mileage in. The trails were in great condition. If you prefer a walk, hike, or run through the woods, you'll love...