Take a Hike by Patricia Hayden
Welcome to “Take A Hike,” a monthly blog where I’ll be exploring forest preserves, trails, and wilderness areas throughout DuPage County. Each month, I’ll share information about a different site along with highlights from my visit — all to encourage you to get outside and Take a Hike!
To make it even more fun, we’re launching the Take-A-Hike Challenge!
The challenge is open to everyone. From May through October 2025, simply take the month’s featured hike whenever your schedule allows. Capture a photo of one of the points of interest mentioned in that month’s column, then either:
Post your photo on the Greater DuPage Wild Ones Facebook page, or
Email it to [email protected].
Each hike you complete will be recorded in our challenge log. All participants will be recognized at our Seed Exchange in November!
We hope this inspires you to lace up your shoes, hit the trails, and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us.
- Take a Hike July 2025: Return to Pioneer Park Forest Preserve
This month I revisited Pioneer Park Forest Preserve in Naperville. This is the site I visited last month and declared “I will plan to return to the site in the future and head left on the trail to see those sites” and that is what I did! - Take a Hike June 2025: Pioneer Park Forest Preserve
This month I visited the Pioneer Park Forest Preserve in Naperville. This site is an 18-acre floodplain forest along the West Branch of the DuPage River. - Take a Hike May 2025: Goodrich Woods Forest Preserve
This month I visited the Goodrich Woods Forest Preserve in Naperville. In pre-settlement times, the preserve contained open woodlands with meadows along today’s Hobson Road. There is one main trail at this location. - Take a Hike: Meacham Grove Forest Preserve
This month I visited the Meacham Grove Forest Preserve in Bloomingdale. There are several trails and fishing is available at the site. - Take a Hike: East Branch Forest Preserve
This month I visited the East Branch Forest Preserve in Glendale Heights. There are several trails, lakes, and an off-leash dog park. - Take a Hike: West DuPage Woods Forest Preserve
This month I visited the West DuPage Woods Forest Preserve in Winfield. At this site, there are multiple trails to explore and some good Fall color to see. - Take a Hike: York Woods Forest Preserve
This month I visited the York Woods Forest Preserve in Oak Brook. At this site, there are several trails and picnic areas. - Take a Hike: Burlington Park Forest Preserve
This month I visited the Burlington Park Forest Preserve in Naperville. At this site, there is a short trail along with a picnic area. - Take a Hike: Maple Grove Forest Preserve
This month I visited the Maple Grove Forest Preserve in Downers Grove. At this site, there are two main trails (with parks at both ends) to explore and a variety of secondary trails. - Take a Hike: Morton Arboretum
This month I visited the Morton Arboretum in Lisle. While there is so much to do and see, for this trip, I visited three different locations on the east side, all conveniently close to one another. - Take a Hike: Wood Dale Grove Forest Preserve
This month I visited the Wood Dale Grove Forest Preserve in Addison. At this site there are two looped trails to explore. The site also offers fishing and picnicking. - Take a Hike: Oldfield Oaks Forest Preserve
This month I visited Oldfield Oaks Forest Preserve in Darien. At this site there are two looped trails to explore as well as an off-leash dog park. - Take a Hike: Spring Creek Reservoir
This month I visited Spring Creek Reservoir in Bloomingdale which offers a looped trail around the reservoir as well as an up-close look at the spillway controlling the flow of water into the reservoir. This site also offers the opportunity to fish and picnic. - Take a Hike: Hidden Lake Forest Preserve
My visit this month was to Hidden Lake Forest Preserve in Downers Grove which offers two main trails: Eagle Lake Trail and Round Meadow Lake Trail (each approx. 1 mile in length). The trails wind past several bodies of water and the multiple bridges offer good views of wetland plant life. In addition to the walking trails, the preserve also offers the opportunity to picnic, boat, and fish. - Take a Hike: PrairieWalk Pond
My winter visit to PrairieWalk Pond in Lisle was very enjoyable. The location is near the busy intersection of Rt. 53 and Ogden Avenue and although I heard some traffic noise, when you are walking the path, it is very tranquil. The road leading to the parking lot is just north of the intersection of Burlington and Garfield and there are signs for both free and handicapped parking.