Illinois Prairie Path - Elgin Branch

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

The trail's crushed-limestone tread and beautiful surroundings make it a great option for suburban Chicagoans looking to get out on a scenic run.

This popular urban trail is one of the three original sections of the Illinois Prairie Path. It begins off the Fox River Trail near the river in Elgin, IL. Parking can be found nearby off of Raymond Street.

As the trail heads south, it passes a mix of residential, industrial, and agricultural land before crossing under Dunham Road and Stearns Road in quick succession. The next several miles of tree-lined path are truly pleasant, as most of the surroundings are wetlands and fields. Ahead, the trail briefly overlaps the Great Western Trail before separating to the right and crossing Prince Crossing Road.

The trail picks up the Illinois Prairie Path - Geneva Spur just past the Timber Ridge Forest Preserve. After this point, the remaining few miles of trail continue to pass easily through residential zones and the Lincoln Marsh Natural Area before the trail ends in Wheaton at a 3-way junction with the other two main branches: Illinois Prairie Path - Main Stem and Illinois Prairie Path - Aurora Branch.