Hike Lake County Challenge Begins

The Lake County Forest Preserves has a challenge – or seven of them – for you. Grab your walking shoes and head to the trails to participate in the Hike Lake County program while enjoying fall breezes and autumn colors. Medical research shows that being outdoors in nature has many wellness benefits. Hike Lake County provides a way to get a dose of wellness while walking in a beautiful preserve.

Complete seven of 12 designated walks between before Nov. 30 and you'll earn a free commemorative shield for your walking stick or a zipper pull. Each year features different trails and a colorful new shield or zipper pull, (while supplies last). Bicycling or horseback riding do not count toward the program. At each preserve, look for Hike Lake County logo signs at the preserve entrance and trailhead to get you started on the right route.

To get started, you'll need an official travel log to record your routes. Every walker needs their own. Let your canine companion join in the fun and complete the hikes with you. Record their name on your travel log and your dog will receive a free commemorative dog tag (up to three dogs). You can even purchase an optional Hike Lake County dog collar to hang it on.

To receive your free dog tag, zipper pull or commemorative shield for your walking stick, submit your Travel Log online, or mail it with a self-addressed stamped envelope to Lake County Forest Preserves, 1899 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville, IL 60048 by Jan. 31, 2022.  You can also stop by the General Offices in Libertyville or the Ryerson Welcome Center in Riverwoods to pick up your free commemorative materials. Weekdays, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

The 2021 Hike Lake County locations include: 
Fox River, 2.1 miles*  Trail Map »
Grassy Lake, 1.8 miles  Trail Map »
Half Day, 1.1 miles  Trail Map »
Heron Creek, 1.6 miles  Trail Map »
Lyon's Woods, 1.9 miles  Trail Map »
Middlefork Savanna, 2.6 miles*  Trail Map »
Prairie Wolf, 1.7 miles  Trail Map »
Raven Glen (West), 1.8 miles  Trail Map »
Rollins Savanna (Drury Lane entrance), 1.9 miles  Trail Map »
Sedge Meadow, 2.3 miles*  Trail Map »
Sun Lake, 2.6 miles*  Trail Map »
Waukegan Savanna, 1.8 miles  Trail Map »
Wild Card–You Pick, choose any Lake County Forest Preserve trail, 2 miles*  Trail Map »
*Counts as two trails

Additional signs placed at trailheads remind preserve visitors to do their part and abide by rules put in place for public safety reasons to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Ranger Police closely monitor preserves and trails to ensure safety rules, social distancing and other public health guidelines are being followed as COVID-19 precautions continue. Check LCFPD.org/Covid for updates. Guidelines to keep in mind include:

• Bring your own alcohol-based hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol) and face coverings.
• When arriving, if you see the parking lot is full, use our interactive trail map to find another nearby preserve.
• When in the parking lot, wait until the area near your car is clear of other nearby people before exiting or entering your car.
• Follow social distancing rules at all times by staying 6 feet apart.
• When on the trails, groups of two or more must break into single file and move to the right shoulder when approaching or passing others to allow for maximum physical distance.
• Where dogs are allowed, keep them leashed and on trails at all times, and pick up after them. Do not leave pet waste on trails or in parking lots.
• We encourage you to call 847-549-5200 if you spot anything you consider to be dangerous visitor behavior not in conformation to social distancing guidelines.
• Thank you for being respectful of the health of your fellow preserve visitors.