Forest Preserve Holds 20th Annual Woods Walk

HOMER GLEN-LOCKPORT, IL — Several forest preserve trails in and near Homer Glen and Lockport are featured in the 20th anniversary of Woods Walk, according to the Forest Preserve District of Will County.

The program, which encourages visitors to experience 10 of Will County's best trails during their fall splendor, runs from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30. Trails range from 1.5 miles to 4 miles in length, and each trail offers its own unique experience, the preserve said.

This year's trails are as follows:

• Four Rivers Trail at McKinley Woods – Kerry Sheridan Grove in Channahon: 1.99 miles
• Hammel Woods Nature Trail at Hammel Woods – Route 59 Access in Shorewood: 2.86 miles
• Hickory Creek Bikeway at Hickory Creek Preserve – LaPorte Road Access in Mokena: 3.47 miles
• Kankakee Sands Trail at Kankakee Sands Preserve in Custer Township – Route 113 Access: 2.97 miles
• North and South Loop trails at Messenger Woods Nature Preserve in Homer Glen: 1.89 miles
• Plum Creek Greenway Trail at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve in Crete Township: 2.92 miles
• Prairie Bluff Trail at Prairie Bluff Preserve in Crest Hill: 2.26 miles
• Rock Run Greenway Trail at Theodore Marsh in Crest Hill: 2.93 miles
• Spring Creek Greenway Trail at Hadley Valley in Homer Glen: 4 miles
• Wauponsee Glacial Trail at Sugar Creek Preserve in Joliet Township: 1.48 miles

You can also take on an extra challenge with a short, 0.54-mile hike on the nature trail at Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve in Monee Township. This beautiful trail is a favorite from the first year of the Woods Walk program, the preserve said.

To participate, pick up a Woods Walk hiking guide on or after Sept. 1 online or at any of five visitor centers: Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon, Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook, Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville, Plum Creek Nature Center in Crete Township and Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet.

Complete seven of the 10 trails and receive a 2022 Woods Walk hiking medallion, the preserve said. The deadline to submit a completed travel log to receive a medallion is Dec. 31. The medallions will be available beginning Sept. 30.