The best walks and hikes around Wheaton

Yes, many trails in the DuPage County Forest Preserves are dog-friendly, provided your dog is on a leash. Popular spots like Herrick Lake Forest Preserve and Blackwell Forest Preserve welcome leashed dogs. Always check the specific regulations for the preserve you plan to visit before you go.

The Wheaton area offers several family-friendly options. The Herrick Lake loop via Meadowlark Trail is a great choice, offering a short, easy walk around a lake with plenty of opportunities for bird-watching. Another excellent spot is Lincoln Marsh, which features well-maintained, flat trails through a unique urban wetland environment perfect for little legs.

Yes, for a hike featuring a waterfall, Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in nearby Darien is the best option. It's a highly regarded local favorite known for its scenic loop trail that passes by a beautiful, cascading waterfall. The preserve offers a more varied terrain than the flatter trails found directly in Wheaton.

The Illinois Prairie Path is a major multi-use trail with paved sections, making it ideal for easy walking. This former railway line runs through Wheaton and connects to various parks and towns. Many of the larger forest preserves, such as Blackwell and Herrick Lake, also feature paved or crushed limestone paths suitable for all users.

For a longer hike, consider the Timber Ridge Forest Preserve via Great Western Trail. This route offers over 7 miles (11 km) of trail. You can also create extended hikes by connecting trails between preserves, such as the Danada-Herrick Lake Regional Trail, which links two popular forest preserves.

For classic Midwestern scenery, St. James Farm Forest Preserve is a top choice, offering a mix of woodlands, prairies, and wetlands. The trails here are well-regarded for their beauty and tranquility. For a different kind of scenery, the Main Trail loop — The Morton Arboretum provides a meticulously curated landscape with diverse tree collections from around the world, offering unique views in every season.

Most DuPage County Forest Preserves, including Herrick Lake, Blackwell, and St. James Farm, do not have an entrance fee for hiking. However, some specific locations like The Morton Arboretum and Cantigny Park do require paid admission to access their grounds and trail systems.

The majority of trails in the Wheaton area are rated as easy. The terrain is generally flat, with wide, well-maintained paths, many of which are paved or use crushed gravel. While there are some moderate routes with gentle inclines, the region is very suitable for beginners and casual walkers.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community. Reviewers often praise the well-maintained and clearly marked trail systems within the forest preserves. The accessibility of nature, with serene lakes and peaceful woodlands so close to suburban areas, is another frequently mentioned highlight.

Several forest preserves are local favorites for hiking:

Blackwell Forest Preserve: A large, popular park known for its varied trails, lake, and opportunities for activities like fishing and boating.

Herrick Lake Forest Preserve: Praised for its serene atmosphere and beautiful lakeside trails, making it a great place for a peaceful walk.

St. James Farm Forest Preserve: A highly-rated destination with scenic paths through woodlands and prairies, perfect for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders.

While direct public transport to trailheads can be limited, the Illinois Prairie Path is accessible from several points within Wheaton and surrounding towns, some of which may be near Metra train stations or bus stops. However, for most of the larger forest preserves like Blackwell or Herrick Lake, driving is the most convenient option.

The forest preserves and marshes around Wheaton are rich with wildlife. It's common to see white-tailed deer, squirrels, and chipmunks. Bird-watching is particularly rewarding, with opportunities to spot herons, egrets, and various songbirds, especially around Lincoln Marsh and Herrick Lake. Keep an eye out for turtles and frogs near the water as well.