Cross Country Skiing in LC
By: Jonathan Jones 01/17/2018
Time to blow the dust off those skis, winter has finally arrived and we can scoot through Lake County by cross-country skiing. It seems that January is the month where Lake County gets walloped with snow. Wouldn’t you instead have a little tom-foolery in the snow rather than driving in it? Wouldn't you rather explore the pristine white snow covering lying across Lake County? Lake County has all of the trails you need to go on your cross-country skiing expedition, while the kids can slide downhills. The snow has already made its presence known in Lake County, and now it’s time to make yours known at the numerous area preserves, parks and hills! During the holiday season, indulge yourself by going cross-country skiing in LC.
Find Your Winter Sanctuary
Lake County boasts over 130 trails for cross-country skiing. These trails vary from expert down to cross-country skiing 101. Lakewood and Raven Glen Forest Preserves pave trails for those avid cross-country skiers. Ryerson Conservation Area is also a preserve with extensive cross-skiers; however, the snow must be above four inches to protect the sanctity of the animal life. Let’s take a look at the other trails Lake County has to offer.
Buffalo Creek has four miles for cross-country skiing located near Buffalo Grove and Long Grove. While two miles of trails are in the Southwest corner of Lake County at Cuba Marsh, you will cross several creeks to see winter in all its splendor.
While children enjoy the steep hills for tubing and sledding the adults could take to the trails. Century Park is the vastest district park in Vernon Hills, so you are sure to explore all the nooks and crannies of the entire 113 acres.
On Milwaukee Avenue in Libertyville, cross-country skiing is permitted at Adler Park. If you like a more robust workout, Adler Park lets you create your own path. Adler Park also has a colossal sled hill for tubing.
Can you handle a full day of cross-country skiing and/or snowshoeing? Check out the trail spanning as long as 8,000 acres, better known as the Des Plaines River Trail. This trail runs just south of the shared Illinois and Wisconsin border. It ends at Lake Cook Road. For safety purposes, skiers are to travel under bridges and underpasses. This trail is adjacent to the Des Plaines River and stretches 31 miles running through 12 different Lake County Forest Preserves.
On the Northwest side of Lake County located between Rte. 59 and Fairfield Road, Grant Woods features six miles of trails for you to ski west into Fox Lake. This Ingleside forest preserve spans over 1,000 acres.
This 551-acre forest preserve in southwest Lake County. Grassy Lake’s trail stretches as far as 3.5 miles highlighted by its beautiful scenery. This Barrington trail is spacious and obtains a mild incline.
In Vernon Hills, there are 201 acres of land called Half Day Forest Preserve. It’s just North of Half Day Road (Rt. 22). In addition to the trails at Half Day, you have the opportunity to extend your cross-country skiing journey since Des Plaines River Trail runs through the path.
Located in Libertyville is the 1,135 acres of land called Independence Grove. This trail sports nearly seven miles of trails for cross-country skiing and other uses.
Greenbelt sits on 558 acres of land located between Waukegan and North Chicago. This forest preserve that is inserted into an urban setting is also home to the Greenbelt Cultural Center. The trails for cross-country skiing are about four miles long.
Lakewood is Lake County’s largest forest preserve sitting on 2,578 acres. In addition to cross-country skiing in this Wauconda forest preserve, This hike will prepare you for the hilly terrain that this stellar forest preserve has to offer.
Between Waukegan and Zion on Blanchard Road is Lyons Woods Forest Preserve. Lyons Woods stretches 264 acres and three miles of trails. The trail serves as a connector to North Shore Path.
In Lindenhurst, McDonald Woods sits on 304 acres of land. Take the scenic route in this Northern Lake County trail that has three large lakes and is encompassed with a slew of pine trees. The entrance and parking can be found on Grass Lake Road.
Lake Forest’s Middlefork Savanna has four miles of trails to cross-country ski. This southeastern Lake County trail is located on Waukegan Road. Middlefork Savanna stretches 576 acres.
This trail runs through Wauconda, Mundelein, Lindenhurst, Volo, Lake Bluff and other Lake County cities are expected to stretch as long as 35 miles when the construction is complete. As of now, the trail spans 26.75 miles. Millennium connects with North Shore, Des Plaines River, Lake Bluff and McClure trails.
This Libertyville area contains trails for cross-country skiing in Wilmot Woods. The Oak Spring Road Canoe launch connects to the Des Plaines River Trail.
As long as four inches of snow has fallen, you could tube or cross-country ski at Old School located in Libertyville. This three-mile trail joins up with Des Plaines River Trail, where you can discover the snow-covered woods and prairies. The trail also stretches for 1.5 miles around the lake. You can also ice skate at this location.
In the summer, Prairie Wolf Slough Forest Preserve in Highland Park spans 20 acres of wetland. When snow is on the ground, this preserve has a 1.75-mile trail for cross-country skiing. If you're looking to explore solo, you have the opportunity as one mile of the nature trail is self-guided. Prairie Wolf is located on Half Day Road.
Rollins Savanna sits on 1,225 acres in Grayslake. This centrally located Lake County Forest Preserve has a 5.5-mile cross-country skiing trail that runs over bridges and a boardwalk encircling the preserve. The entrance is located at Washington Street and Atkinson Road.
Cross-country skiing is permitted on this scenic trail when the snow is at least four inches deep. Ryerson leads through a majestic forest with 6.5 miles of trails for skiers in southeast Lake County. The Riverwoods trail attaches to the Des Plaines River Trail. The pace of the cross-country skiing will be determined by the group’s collective ski level.
Singing Hills serves as a 567-acre hub for Millennium Trail and is located in western Lake County near Volo.
Van Patten Woods stretches 991 acres. This Lake County Forest Preserve in Wadsworth contains five miles of cross-country skiing trails and has access to the Des Plaines River Trail.
Cross-country skiers will enjoy four miles of trails at Wright Woods located in Lincolnshire. Like many of these trails, Wright Woods connect to the Des Plaines River Trail. Wright Woods sits on 402 acres of land. There is also a three-mile loop that circles around a pond. For more cross-country skiing and other outdoor adventures in a Lake County winter wonderland, continue here.
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