Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Illinois

Well maintained and clean. I’ve even seen Good Samaritans picking up trash! I’ve always felt safe walking my dogs by the river.

Des Plaines River Trail — very vigorous ride from Irving Park north to Algonquin and back, 15 miles. Everything is thumbs up except between Irving and Lawrence — very storm and flood ravaged so it appears to need alot more TLC and maintenance. You wouldn’t get thru this part if it had rained heavily. The trail is generally mud and turns into limestone about Touhy Ave. We enjoyed it on an 85 degee day and the canopy keeps you cool. Don’t forget the bug spray and ladies, bring tissue for the port-​o-​potties (nasty).

Get ur picnic on with Riveerforest/​Cook County parks!

This forest preserve is beautiful! There are plenty of hiking/​biking paths, a river, picnicking spots, and places to play some games or just take in the beauty. I’m so glad that we have a beautiful place where nature is (almost) untouched that we can enjoy!

This review is specifically for the excellent Des Plaines River Trail — North, which is maintained by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. A few years ago, one of reasons my family chose to purchase our home in Des Plaines (besides good community and affordable homes), was close proximity to this recreation trail.
It’s an oasis of forest and nature and positive ions in the middle of our sprawling Metropolis. You can spot deer, the river, gorgeous meadows, cool woods, and green everywhere. About 15 miles long, with plenty of on-​off spots.
Where I primarily ride my mountain bike (Kennedy Expressway to the Lake County Border) It’s mostly a pea-​graveled path, wide enough to accommodate walkers or bikers in both directions, though some parts or alternate trails may only be single-​track bike paths. Recent improvements have greatly improved trail markings as well as conditions. Fall is a great time, because it’s cooler and the paths are dry.
Most trail users are very courteous and helpful (walkers, dog walkers, fishers, joggers, bikers, lots of families). On weekends it can get pretty busy, but still nowhere near as crazy as, say, the Lincoln Park bike path.
And it’s still much more preferable than trying to manage suburban streets on a bike.
There are plenty of parks and parking all along the path, so points of entry are numerous. Also, lots of porta-​potties during park season, so emergencies of a biological nature are no problem.
Give it a walk or bike, you’ll be surprised at the quiet peacefulness, steps away from suburbia.