Best Hiking and Biking Trails in Will County

I&M Canal Trail

Length: 61 miles total (multiple Will County sections)
Surface: Crushed limestone
Difficulty: Easy -- flat with minimal elevation change
Parking: Trailheads in Lockport, Channahon, and Morris

The Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail follows the historic canal that once connected Lake Michigan to the Illinois River. It's one of the longest continuous trails in the state, and the Will County segments running through Lockport and Channahon are among the most scenic.

The crushed limestone surface works well for both hiking and mountain biking, though road bikes with narrow tires can struggle after heavy rain when the gravel softens. You'll pass original canal locks, limestone bluffs, and wooded stretches where the tree canopy closes overhead in summer. The Lockport section deserves special attention -- the restored canal locks and historic buildings along the route provide context you won't get on most suburban trails.

Bird watchers will appreciate the riparian habitat along the canal. Great blue herons, kingfishers, and various warblers are common sightings, especially during spring and fall migration.

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

Length: 33 miles of trails across multiple loops
Surface: Mowed grass paths and packed earth
Difficulty: Easy to moderate -- flat terrain but uneven footing in spots
Parking: Main lot off Route 53 south of Joliet; additional lots at trailheads

Midewin is something genuinely special. This 20,000-acre former army ammunition plant has been slowly transformed into the largest tallgrass prairie restoration east of the Mississippi. And yes, there are bison. The herd, reintroduced in 2015, now numbers well over 100 animals roaming a dedicated section of the preserve.

The 33 miles of trails range from short interpretive loops near the welcome center to longer routes that push deep into open grassland. The Iron Bridge Trail (about 4 miles round trip) is a popular choice for a quick visit. For something more ambitious, the South Patrol Road loop covers roughly 8 miles and takes you through areas where you can spot bison from designated viewing points.

Hikers should wear sturdy shoes here. Unlike paved rail-trails, Midewin's paths are mowed grass and packed dirt that can get soggy after rain. Mountain bikes are permitted on certain trails, but road bikes aren't practical. Check the trail map before heading out -- not all trails are open year-round, and some close during bison calving season in spring.

The wildflower displays from late May through September are outstanding. Prairie blazing star, compass plant, and dozens of native species put on a show that's nothing like what you'll see in a suburban park.

Old Plank Road Trail

Length: 22.4 miles (Joliet to Park Forest)
Surface: Paved asphalt
Difficulty: Easy -- smooth and flat
Parking: Multiple trailheads including Joliet, Frankfort, Matteson

If you're a road cyclist, this is your trail. The Old Plank Road Trail runs 22.4 miles from Joliet east to Park Forest on a smooth paved surface that's ideal for biking, inline skating, and running. It follows the old Sauk Trail, which itself followed an even older Native American trading route.

The Frankfort section is especially pleasant. The trail passes through downtown Frankfort where you can pull off for coffee, lunch, or a browse through the shops along the village square. Timing a ride to coincide with the Frankfort Country Market on Sunday mornings (May through October) makes for a great outing.

Commuters also use this trail. Sections connect to Metra stations, making it feasible to bike part of your commute on pleasant days. The trail gets busy on weekend mornings in good weather, so early starts beat the crowd.

DuPage River Trail

Length: 11 miles (Plainfield to Shorewood)
Surface: Paved asphalt with some crushed limestone sections
Difficulty: Easy
Parking: Trailheads in Plainfield and at forest preserve lots along the route

The DuPage River Trail follows the east branch of the DuPage River through some of Will County's most populated communities. It connects neighborhoods in Plainfield, Bolingbrook, and Shorewood to a continuous corridor of green space.

For families, this trail works exceptionally well. Playgrounds and restroom facilities are accessible at several points along the route. The paved surface accommodates strollers, training wheels, and wheelchair users. Most sections are flat, though a few gentle grades follow the river bluffs near Shorewood.

The river itself adds visual interest. In spring and early summer, you'll often see kayakers paddling the calmer stretches. Fishing access points dot the trail, and smallmouth bass are a reasonable catch in the cleaner sections of the river.

Wauponsee Glacial Trail

Length: 22.2 miles (Joliet to Custer Park)
Surface: Crushed limestone
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Parking: Northern trailhead near Sugar Creek Administration Center; additional lots along the route

Named after the glacial features it traverses, the Wauponsee Glacial Trail runs south from Joliet into the quieter, more rural southern reaches of Will County. It follows an abandoned railroad corridor, which means the grade is consistently gentle -- perfect for long-distance cycling.

The northern sections near Joliet feel suburban, but as you head south past Manhattan and toward Custer Park, the landscape opens up dramatically. Farmland stretches to the horizon, and the trail takes on a different character entirely. It's peaceful in a way that the busier northern trails can't match.

The crushed limestone surface is well-maintained but can develop soft spots in wet weather. Hybrid or mountain bikes handle it better than road bikes. Water and restrooms are limited on the southern half, so plan accordingly if you're doing the full distance.

Spring Creek Greenway

Length: 13.5 miles
Surface: Paved asphalt
Difficulty: Easy
Parking: Lots at Plum Creek Nature Center and along Governors Highway

Spring Creek Greenway connects several forest preserves into one continuous paved trail corridor. It runs through Goodenow Grove, Plum Creek, and other preserves, passing through a mix of mature woodlands, restored prairie, and wetlands.

The Plum Creek Nature Center sits along this trail and makes a good starting point or rest stop. Inside, you'll find exhibits on local wildlife and information about the ecosystems you're riding through. The staff runs guided hikes and bird walks that use sections of the greenway as their starting points.

This trail sees less traffic than the Old Plank Road Trail or the I&M Canal Trail, which is part of its appeal. If you prefer a quieter ride without constantly calling "on your left," Spring Creek Greenway delivers.

Centennial Trail

Length: 6.5 miles
Surface: Paved asphalt
Difficulty: Easy
Parking: Trailheads at Rock Run Preserve and Hammel Woods

Centennial Trail connects Rock Run Preserve to Hammel Woods through the Shorewood and Joliet area. At 6.5 miles, it's shorter than the major rail-trails, but what it lacks in distance it makes up for in connectivity. The trail links residential areas directly to two excellent forest preserves.

Rock Run Preserve, at the eastern end, features a rookery where great blue herons nest each spring. Watching dozens of these massive birds coming and going from their treetop nests is a genuinely impressive sight. The preserve also has a popular disc golf course if you want to combine activities.

Hammel Woods, at the western end, offers riverfront access to the DuPage River, fishing spots, picnic shelters, and separate hiking loops that branch off from the main trail. It's a good destination for families who want options beyond just riding the trail itself.

Thorn Creek Trail

Length: 13 miles (shares sections with Spring Creek Greenway)
Surface: Mix of paved and natural surface
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Parking: Thorn Creek Nature Center and various preserve lots

Thorn Creek Trail runs through the southeastern portion of Will County, passing through Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve -- one of the most ecologically diverse sites in the county. The preserve protects old-growth forest fragments, something increasingly rare in northeastern Illinois.

The trail splits between paved sections suitable for biking and natural surface paths better suited to hiking. Hikers who stick to the unpaved loops through Thorn Creek Woods will find themselves in thick bottomland forest where the canopy blocks out most summer sun. It feels surprisingly remote for a place within commuting distance of Chicago.

The Thorn Creek Nature Center serves as a trailhead and educational hub. Their volunteer-led programs cover everything from tree identification to owl prowls (night hikes timed for owl calling season in late winter). If you've got kids who aren't sold on "just walking," the nature center programming can make the trip more appealing.