This path gets crowded! I don't think I've ever seen so many people out running and jogging on a path. Granted this was a beautiful Saturday morning. We rode from Elmhurst (Wild Trace Meadows) to Wheaton, and stopped there at the Farmers Market. You pass through so many towns! I wanted to take a quick tour of each one! I think we saw 2 port-o-potties, and a couple of water fountains as well. It's a great mix of both sun and shade. Like others have mentioned, be careful when crossing the streets. Some have very little traffic, but others are fast & busy! read more

It has been one year after receiving a bill for $650.00 for what I was told was a usage of 40,000 gallons in a one week time span due to "probably filling up my swimming pool" (I did not have one) or a "leaking toilet" (my toilets are newish). Lived here since 2013 and the amount owed has always ranged in the usual 135.00 per month, which is insane for one person who is rarely home and is frugal with water usage. They later came to my home (only because I disputed the amount) to take the meter that they placed in my home within the previous year or two, to have it tested. They later informed me that the water meter was perfectly fine and that I owed them the full amount. I have therefore been unwillingly making payments for a year. Now, after paying off that bill, I have received phone calls and a notice on my door threatening that my water service will be shut off if I don't call them to have them come to replace my meter. Today I received a letter stating " your water meter is either no longer registering- is broken, aged or has over 1,000,000 gallons usage and needs to be replaced". Coincidence!?! read more

The prairie path is *huge* so I chose to review a particular part of it. I am a runner so I will preface this with the fact that this review is catered towards the active group. I am reviewing the Elgin branch from Geneva Rd. And County Farm to Smith Rd. The pluses for runners/cyclists: + long stretches-- I hate waiting to cross roads, drivers don't have the courtesy they used to. The first crossing is 1.9 miles in, the next is a residential road (not busy) and the one that follows is the same. I did a 5 mile out run and didn't have to stop. + the scenery-- the scenery is beautiful. The first 2 miles is mostly wooded ( it backs to Klien Creek Farm and a forest preserve ). The next stretch is almost all woods as well with some breaks when you cross under North Ave. The minuses: - no port-o-potties, water fountains or other amenities. Pack t/p and wear a water belt if you are going to be out long. - pretty secluded- even though there are a lot of homes around, I was nervous running by myself (even though I carry pepper spray). I would suggest it for running clubs and group runs, and only Day time running. This is my go-to route for long runs. Beautiful and no distractions. read more

Illinois Prairie Path - Nice little stretch about three miles in. - Parks Near Me - Wheaton, Illinois

I've peddled every inch of the Prairie Path a hundred times. It never gets old. Well taken care of and offering a great deal of diverse property, the path combines serene forested areas with bogs, plains pelted by sunshine, to bridges, rivers, etc. I'm in the Kane these days so my trail of choice is naturally the Fox River Trail, but from time to time I still venture onto segments of the Prairie. If you're looking for a great place to ride, walk or run..give this trail a whirl. You've got 60+ miles to wander. Cheers. read more

Oh, how I miss thee, Prairie Path! Here in Arizona we don't get anything like the Prairie Path. We get the "Greenbelt" which is a paved path that simply runs N-S, then abruptly ends. We don't get shaded spots, either. Its just blistering sun, rude hikers and bikers, and sketchy neighborhoods to ride through at times. Count your blessings! The Prairie Path (and its many side trails) can keep you occupied all day long. Pros: - Shade! Revel in it! Being able to ride or jog in the shade is amazing. - Not overly crowded. - Overall nicely groomed - Safe neighborhoods to ride/run/walk through Cons: - Some sections are getting worn down by cyclists and need refilling. - No restrooms - Power lines looming overhead in sections read more

Most folks here review Elmhurst to Wheaton , lets review Maywood to Elmhurst so you can get a better idea of a segment of the Prairie Path least traveled and some of the precautions you may want to take. Accessible as far east as Forest Park from the CTA Blue Line use Van Buren St. thru the west Parking lot you will pass Concordia Cemetery then travel over a small foot bridge over the Des Plaines river onto Maybrook drive, several blocks west at 1st ave you will see a Illinois Prairie Path archway where the trail officially begins. Maywood, the first thing you notice is that this is the paved segment of the trail in Cook County , the trail is interrupted by crossings at intervals of one block for about 9 streets from 1st ave to 11th ave before traveling longer distances without interruption, this is an urban area with an industrial park feel mixed with neighborhoods that have been in decay for many generations. The Bad : though motor vehicles are prohibitted from entering the IPP , that didn't stop one idiot from entering at 8th ave. with his Cadillac at late hours of the night and scaring the bejesus out of us, they should keep the metal barriers up to stop traffic from entering. Bellwood-Hillside ,mostly industrial park scenery in between neighborhoods ,you will notice Two 911 emergency phones on the this segment of the Prairie Path, also some of the prairie grasses or brush do meet the trail , use precaution with small wildlife , scared rabbits, Opossum and unfortunately Skunk , my friend was sprayed by a skunk that jetted into his path ,although he ran over the critter the skunk seemed to escape with little harm. The Bad : several trail street crossings are not flush with the street so you may ride off a curb while crossing on the path and find another curb across a busy street , not smart for cyclist crossing. Hillside-Berkely ,from Mannheim Rd. West the neighborhood improves but the trail ends forcing cyclist to ride 8 very short blocks on Warren Ave. (follow bike path signs) until reaching Forest ave. where you can pick up the trail again at Butterfield Rd. , continue west until Taft Rd, becareful with the curb where Berkely starts. The Good : Village of Berkely is pretty small and is just a short distance from Elmhurst once you pass under 290 & 294 you will see the trail change from paved to crushed limestone. The Bike trail by night is fairly well lit by street lamps until reaching Elmhurst (wooded forest canopy) , a little spooky at times , just stay alert of your surroundings and keep a little bit of energy stored in case you have to haul *ss ........ LOL read more

If you live in the Western Suburbs of Chicago, and enjoy walking, running, biking, or equestrian activities, the Illinois Prairie Path is a resource not to be missed. It is the heart of an overall system of trails that covers a good portion of northeast Illinois. First, some history: Today's Prairie Path was once the right-of-way for an electric train (Chicago, Aurora & Elgin Railway), established in 1902. Towns like Berkeley and Villa Park grew up on the railway line, which explains why the town centers are where they are. By the late 40's, the line was in grave financial trouble, and in the early 50's, the right-of-way in Chicago was taken over by the 'new' Congress (Eisenhower) Expressway (and CTA), which effectively crippled operations - passenger service ceased in 1957, and freight ceased in 1959. The resulting holding company wanted to liquidate the remaining right-of-way assets as one parcel. A local activist and naturalist, May Theilgaard Watts, led the fight to establish the Prairie Path, and after many years of accumulating support the path was established in 1966, the first rail-to-trail conversion in the US. Today's path effectively starts in the east at 1st Ave., 4 blocks north of the Eisenhower in Maywood (there is access from the CTA Blue Line, Forest Park, from a recent bridge built over the DesPlaines River) , runs west to Wheaton (the main line (stem)), then branches north to Elgin, and south to Aurora, with spurs to Geneva (from the Elgin branch) and Batavia (from the Aurora branch). For those without a map handy, Elgin, Aurora, Geneva, and Batavia are all located on the Fox River. A former associated freight line, also part of the overall path system, The Fox River Trail, basically follows the Fox River from Aurora, north to Elgin (and well beyond these two points). The use of this trail allows triangular travel (on the 2 branches and spurs), so you never have to return the way you came, and allows greater distance to be covered; ideal for bicyclists. The basic path has a crushed limestone surface, which is as easy to walk or ride on as asphalt (and fine for road bikes). It also sheds water quickly, so rain does not greatly affect its use. There are water fountains along the path, and limited facilities in a few spots. The mile markers on the system all start in Wheaton, where the rail yard was located (now the Wheaton Center complex). Here are the approximate mile breakdowns: Wheaton to 1st Ave: 15 mi Wheaton to Elgin: 15 mi Wheaton to Aurora: 13 mi Wheaton to Geneva: 11 mi Wheaton to Batavia: 13 mi It is also worth noting that it is possible to triangulate on the main line, accomplished by using the Great Western Trail (also a crushed limestone surface, which parallels North Ave.), which intersects the Prairie Path (a block to the north on Villa) in Villa Park, and intersects the Prairie Path again on the Elgin branch, at Prince Crossing Rd, in West Chicago. For bicyclists, this gives you a quick 24 miles of controlled path riding, almost in your own back yard! For those looking at less distance, any north-south thru street in the area will connect these two paths. For bicyclists, the main line of the Prairie Path is intersected by many streets, especially Elmhurst to Lombard. Exercise care in this stretch! The path from 1st Ave. Maywood to Berkeley appears to be the least used stretch, but another area to exercise caution. Wheaton Update: Reconstruction of the Illinois Prairie Path structures over Wesley Street, Front Street, and the railroad tracks: This is mile marker 0 of The Prairie Path, and the nexus of the system. Elgin branch construction is behind, this was to be open 5/20/2010. Now the schedule calls for the end of August. We'll see, but I am not encouraged. Note: Bridge now done (late Oct 2010, in time for the crush of winter traffic). The old bridge has been retained, and the new structure is built within. From the right angle, it looks like a prop for the "ET Flyover." read more

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I've lived in Western 'Burbs off and on for several years now and even though I knew about the Prairie Path, I only started taking advantage of the trail over the last few years. The Path (as I like to call it) is about 62 miles of multi-use nature trails. It runs through DuPage County, a little bit of Cook and Kane county. The path surface is crushed limestone so it's suitable for walkers, runners and folks on their bikes. The Path runs through towns too, and many local business like coffee shops and cafes are close to the Path. I mostly use the Lombard/Villa Park/Elmhurst trail for running or biking just because of the proximity to my house, but plan to hit more of the western area soon to check out more of the forest preserves.There are always folks out using the trail--the number depends on the time of day and of course the weather. The path is well-maintained, but it relies on volunteers to keep it clean. It's also marked with signs with the trail map and distance between points. The Path gives us a chance to enjoy nature at any pace. One of the pluses to living in the 'Burbs and definitely one that says "get on out there and enjoy yourselves!" read more

The Prairie Path is heaven for any bikers, runners, or walkers in the DuPage County area! I am so fortunate to have this trail run just one street away from my house. Needless to say, I spend a LOT of time on it all year round. The path itself runs 61 miles, with branches running from Elgin, Aurora, and all the way out to nearly Oak Park. It is a lovely trail with crushed limestone covering most of it, with portions also paved. One of my favorite things about the trail is that it is well lit for much of it, so even if you like to run or bike at night you can. It is frequented by running and biking groups as well, so you can always expect a friendly group on the trail. Where it runs through my town, Lombard, it is only a short walk away from quite a few parks and also meets up with the Great Western Trail, another wonderful community trail. read more

I've run the prairie path - I've done a 15 miler on it ..my thoguths Pros * It's flat * It has beautiful sceenery * You feel like you're riding in a car -- with mile markers and city postage (Elmhurst, Villa Park, Lombard, etc) - one you get in zone it's like your traveling * water fountains /porta-potties in the summer months (but they can few and far between) Cons * No diversity (That is why I run in the city) * Annoying for runners like slow walkers take up entire path , mom's with kids wont move, people let their dogs crap on the path and don't clean it up, etc - * It can be scary - a guy just popped out of the bushes and stared at me, and another guy stopped running and thew a rock at me, -- YIKES (people are psycho) * They don't salt the path in the winter -like people don't excersize in winter * The path just ends in some places -- so you don't know where to go next - * Stray animals sometimes wonder - mostly cats but large dogs roaming from local neighborhoods can be scary. I go to the lake path in the city -- but this is a good alternative read more

This is a very nice trail, close to my house and takes you through some good forest preserve. Some parts of the trail are gravel roads but its definitely good for walking. The trail is very close to my house and i often go biking or walking down the trail. My only complaint is that there are bugs when the weather gets a little damp. One the whole a great place to get a nice bike ride. read more

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The website says that the path begins at First and Washington so I took Washington straight west from my house. Couldn't find it. Then I remembered another portion of the website (or could it be a review?) that said something about the entrance at the CTA Blue Line. So I biked back east. I eventually found the darn opening after disregarding the poorly routed signage. BIG TIP OF THE DAY: The official entrance is between Washington and Roosevelt on First but the entrance the farthest East is through the auxiliary parking lot of the Blue Line. Don't look for a big sign that says "Prairie Path starts here" because you wont find it From the sub entrance all the way to Taft street in Berkley the path is quite depressing. There are two backless benches, broken glass and about 10 neighborhood intersections to cross over through Maywood and Bellwood. The website boasted water stations, porto-potties and benches. I rode all the way past Villa Park and didn't see one toilet. They had water but the flow and spigots were so low that it was nearly impossible to refill my water bottle. All the niceties started at and after Taft Street. The good points are that the rest stops were really nice and well, restful. I stopped a few times and read a chapter in my book and ate some crackers I brought with me. The path is pretty wide so even though there was a decent amount of people out it didn't seem too crowded. Some of the path is gravel, some parts nice and paved and some parts were shaded. I will certainly bike the path again but I'll load my bike in my car and drive to a more interesting starting point. It's a nice place to bike or run without the all the hassle of the car filled urban environment I usually find my self in. read more

Wowzas, what a path! I was so glad I decided to venture out from my comfort zone (i.e. Busse Woods) and try a new path. It seems the Illinois Prairie Path also runs into the Great Western Trail. I just kind of kept riding today (and ultimately got a bit lost on the way back), so I didn't take note of where one path ended and the other started. The path itself seems pretty well-maintained, but some parts were covered with packed grass from a recent mow. Most trail-goers seem to adhere to the regular Rules of the Road, though a kid who was rubbernecking almost took me out! Yikes! Christina M.'s review is pretty on-point with mention of the dog droppings. I also noticed some litter. Blah to that! I'll definitely be exploring this path more! read more

Spring is finally here (kinda)! I moved pretty close to the Prairie Path last summer, but didn't get to take advantage of it since a large part of our summer consisted of moving and all the joys that go along with it. Finally, though, the past few days have been pretty nice. What better time to bust the bikes out of hibernation and put them into action! A few days ago, we rode from Villa Park to Elmhurst by York Road. It was a Saturday and a bit busy. The trail looks like it will be pretty well shaded come summer. One part of the trail over there runs over a railroad track, so there is the possibility that you might get caught by a train but I'm sure there's a way around it. Today, we went the other way and rode from Villa Park to about in between Lombard and Wheaton, just a bit past I-355. I really enjoy looking at all the houses as I ride by and seeing some streets I haven't yet encountered. There are always people on the path: joggers, walkers, bike riders, and people walking dogs. I love seeing the dogs. My only complaint about the trail is that it's pretty bumpy in some areas. I'm wondering if maybe that's just because we're coming out of winter and as the weather gets warmer and more people travel on it, it will be evened out by whoever maintains it. I really hope so because my butt hurts from all the bumps in the trail. One other complaint is this scary portion of trail right before the overpass to 355 going west. As you're about to go up the hill to the bridge, the two areas of ground off to the sides dip wayyy down. The path gets a bit narrow there, so I got really nervous going up and looking down (which I don't recommend if you're scared of heights or have a fear of falling down a cliff). It would be nice if that was fenced off. There's maps at a bunch of intersections so you can really see how far the trail goes. I had no idea it went so far! I doubt I'll ever get to the end of it, but it would be nice to take a day trip and see how far I can go. I'm really glad I live so close to this path, and really, that I live in the Western 'Burbs. Hooray for nature! read more

Oh Prairie Path...you stretch on forever and ever with your lush nature it seems.... You were the source of some fun and many dares when I was little. But also the source of endless fears and nightmares because I was told I could never be on you alone as a kid - I might disappear or run into a rabid stray animal. I saw the mean stray dogs that chased me, the beautiful red foxes who ran from me, the poison ivy that taunted me and the pretty prairie flowers that calmed me. You caused me joy and wonder and curiosity. I wish I could not see you from the house I lived in as a kid...looming dangerous and thrilling along the other side of the tracks. I can still see you when I visit and you still scare the crap out of me when it's dark out, damn you. read more

What a great resource we have in the prairie path! You can walk, bike or run on it and enjoy the scenery around you. It's really nice by the Lincoln Marsh in Wheaton. PLEEZE don't bring a kid with training wheels on the path, they just don't belong here. Sometimes the kid wants to stop and there are near collisions with other riders and sometimes the kid falls over. Either way, there's nowhere to go and get out of the way when that happens. That being said, it's great if you are just getting started in long distance rides or are an addict. Just remember to bring bug spray during the warmer weather since some areas are very shaded and can get buggy! read more

Both the Prairie Path and the Great Western Trail are within a five-minute walk of my home, so I visit them regularly. I love them both for different reasons. Here is a comparative list. Prairie Path: - 60+ miles spreading across DuPage County, plus connections to Forest Park CTA station and the Fox River Trail in Kane County - Water fountains available all over the place - Some restrooms available in adjacent public parks - Mostly shaded, running though neighborhoods and forest preserves - Gets crazy busy on weekends, with dogs and strollers and families riding four across who don't feel like letting you pass - Best for everyday leisure or weekday workouts Great Western Trail: - 12 miles between Villa Park and West Chicago, joining the Prairie Path on both ends - One water fountain in Lombard, but that's about it - No restrooms - Mix of shade and wide open sun, running though neighborhoods and along ComEd lines - Is pretty much deserted at all times, even on the most beautiful days - Goes all crazy once it hits Grace Street in Lombard - you have to cross the Union Pacific tracks and find where the trail picks up along St. Charles Place - Best for leisure or workouts anytime, although you might want to go with a friend for safety since it isn't heavily-traveled read more

If you donn't like this path, you're a stooge! It has just about everything a biker coudl want, except for some challenging single track. However, if you look closely, you can come across a deer path here and they, and take your chances. I agree with others, on a nice weekend, you're playing dodge ball witht he kiddos and walkers. I ran over 7 or 8 year old once, just came onto the path from his back yard. He was more scare than hurt, thankfully. Hopefully he learned something. If you are out there, please clean up after your dog. Ntohign worse than hitting a pile of poo at a good clip on the bike. read more

I love running along the Prairie Path. I've done Villa Park - Elmhurst, Villa Park - lombard, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn and all are very similar. I did the path through Winfield Mounds this weekend also. I will say that there are more amenities on the Elmhurst -Villa Park - Lombard sections than out west. At least you can find a port-o-potty or water fountain pretty closely. The limestone is great to run on and dries quickly after a rain. read more

Love this prairie path! This review is for the portion that goes through Wheaton. It's a great path to walk, bike, or run, and there always seem to be enough people around that you don't feel too vulnerable out there on your own. It definitely gets a little bit crowded during the afternoon on a beautiful day - but who could blame your neighbors for wanting to enjoy the afternoon in this spot?! There are plenty of trees, the path is well kept, and there's typically great signage when you're about to approach an intersection. A nice way to get out there without having to walk or bike alongside traffic in town. read more

This is a nice trail. Definitely not challenging and I'd describe it as a place to take a leisurely ride. I brought my dog with me and went about 10 miles in total. You have to be cautious on this trail because it crosses through quite busy intersections. I'd bring Zusa out here again when the weather improves to get some exercise and take a break from the city. read more

The Prairie Path is a great place to go for runners (I'm sure for bikers too, if that's your thing). This is a relatively new find of mine, having moved to the area a short time ago. There are plenty of drinking fountains, and in most places there's not a whole lot of traffic at street crossings. I love the location, through many downtown areas. There are even markers to let you know when you're entering certain towns, cute touch! I think my favorite way to go is Lombard to downtown Glen Ellyn...a little more secluded than Villa Park/Elmhurst. I haven't checked out anything West of GE but I'm sure it's nice too. Just a couple negatives...can get overly crowded on the weekends, makes it hard to pass people when there are people walking 2 or 3 across. Every once in awhile there are some bratty kids around...once this little boy thought it'd be cute to skid his feet into me while kicking up gravel (with his parents right there, mind you!). So if you can deal with the occasional rudeness, it's a great place to enjoy a good run! read more

I have always loved the path! My favorite is riding my bike on it. I end up riding for hours and getting lost. However you can't really get lost because they make a point to have plenty of maps placed around the path so you always know where you are. I love taking my bike out on a nice summer day because most of the path is shaded by trees so it doesn't get too hot. There are also many friendly faces on the path! This path really takes you everywhere you want to go! read more

I am writing this review of Pratt Wayne Woods in Wayne as it doesn't come up on here but feel it needs to be noted as exceptional. Been hiking here for two decades and just love it. The lakes are totally stocked and the best fishing around. I have seen some enormous fish here..bass, northern pike ect. The trails are great and scenary amazing..Everyone that hikes or fishes should check this beautiful place out. One of the last Mastadons bones were found here... read more

Love Love Love this path. If you can hop on you can get to so many awesome areas in the western suburbs. It can be pretty crowded in the summer or fall, but everyone is very courteous and friendly. If you are riding your bike I would suggest non road bike tires to make it easier to navigate the gravel. It is very easy to go for a walk or ride your bike and get so distracted that you end up going MUCH further than you originally intended. The path also connects to a few other paths in the are which make it quite enjoyable. read more

This is my new place to train for a bike tour. I took the path from forest park to Wheaton and up to Elgin and was amazed by all the wildlife. I also love that in some locations there are street lights to guide you on an early morning ride. Be careful at the stop signs and to yield to cars as they don't yield to you!!! If you are on your way up to Elgin you must stop at Lincoln Marsh for a relaxing getaway. There is a repair station in Wheaton if you have a bike emergency. All the regulars of the path are very warming. I will be taking the path to Geneva and to Batavia soon. Can't wait!!!! read more

I love this path. It goes for miles and runs through places you can stop at for a break (downtown Wheaton with River City Roasters and the Farmers Market on Saturdays). The path is sometimes crowded on weekends but I can't complain-if you can't get to the lakefront this is a nice (albeit not as scenic) option for getting some exercise. You'll see strollers, serious cyclists, dogs, but not lions and tigers and bears. You'll pass through some marsh areas and may see a few deer or a coyote once in awhile. Crushed gravel makes for easy walking or running. Lots of areas varying in shade and sun. Come out for a few miles and wear your Fitbit! read more

Warmer weather = bike rides on the Prairie Path! The Illinois Prairie Path is a great way to get your exercise. We usually ride from Villa Park to Wheaton which is about 16 miles round trip. This past weekend, I noticed that the trail itself was a lot more bumpy in certain areas. There were a lot of grooves from bike tires. I'm wondering if they put down a new top layer each year? Also, the trail is some type of lime stone so be prepared for your bike, and yourself, to be covered in a fine layer of dust. It is still a great path to take in nature and to be active. There are always a ton of people biking, running or walking. There is also an unwritten rule that you stay on the right side of the trail and when busy, you should bike single file. /Begin Rant/ It was a bit crowded this past weekend because of the nice weather but it seemed some people just were completely oblivious to others around them. There were many times when I was approaching someone and I was getting ready to pass on the left but some speed racer behind me decided to wiz past and tell me to get over. C'mon guys. I'm in the process of passing a walker/jogger so don't scream at me "on your left, get over". Keeping my heart rate up is just as important to me as I'm sure it is to you. I shouldn't have to slow down and abort my passing attempt just because you feel you are more important and need to pass first. /End Rant/ Oh, and I should mention that the Wheaton stretch can become very congested. You are riding along the downtown area on a sidewalk. read more

The Illinois Prairie Path is amazing! It's a gorgeous trail that runs several miles throughout the western burbs. I have very fond memories of biking on it as a kid, and I still love hopping on when I visit Elmhurst. It's a great way to spend a summer day because it's seemingly endless. The trail itself is crushed limestone and appears to be pretty well maintained. If you're biking, be careful of shoobies because they tend to walk in big groups and crowd the trail. read more

I love how this old railroad (which consequently runs along the Union Pacific West Line) is now a multi-use path. Great for runners, walkers, and bikers. I've lived in Wheaton my whole life, so I'm not sure many other areas who have something unique as this. Yes, there's other paths in the Northern Illinois Area, but this is the only one I've frequently traveled on, and always maintained very well, even when there is tree damage from storms. read more

The prairie path is nice, its really well kept. Also there are these cool parks on the war, and nice sceenery.

Beautiful path that runs through a lot of west and northwest suburbs! Great for walking/running and just getting outside!

I've ridden portions of the trail Glen Ellyn to Wheaton and Glen Ellyn to Lombard - what a lovely asset!

Biking to downtown Chicago or however far you can get and then taking the Metra back if you wear yourself out too much - it's awesome. The prairie path was a great idea and is decently well maintained. There's rarely dog poo or anything lying around, so someone is keeping up on it really well. I agree with some other reviewers that it passes through some busy intersections, so if you're with kids, take some caution. But otherwise, I suggest giving yourself a destination where you want to get some dinner (near a Metra station) and bike on out. You pass by trees, parks, neighborhoods, quaint little Chicago suburb downtowns, and so forth. A great outdoor activity in the area. read more

Great path! it's huge and full of nature. So ideal for biking since gravel roads don't bother me. I thought maybe it's too popular where maybe it's too crowded but with its size, you'll barely run into people and maybe a few more on super nice days. read more

The Illinois Prairie Path is a huge network of groomed trails that run through the western suburbs in DuPage County and branch out south and northwest towards Aurora and DeKalb. Along most of the trail, it is fairly wide and can accommodate bikers, runners and walkers; about 2-4 people abreast at any given time. Although they run through suburban towns, the trails themselves are fairly private and in many spots bounded by trees and shrubs. The prairie path gets fairly crowded on summer weekend days, especially early in the morning, but if you want peace and quiet, the trails are fairly empty toward afternoon. What's great about these trails is that you can take the path on your bike out to FermiLab and see the buffalo, for example; or challenge your endurance and take a 70 mile trip out towards DeKalb and back. As a woman, I always feel fairly safe on the path by myself, because there are usually plenty of others out on them. Many local businesses have popped up along the path, so that you can stop along the way in each suburban town to pick up a drink or a snack, or make it a destination for lunch. All in all, a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the upcoming summer! (and it's great in winter, too!) read more

For sure, the Prairie Path is one of the best. It is great for biking, walking or running. It is great in the spring, summer, fall and winter. It has water fountains during the late spring, summer and early fall. Some places have port-o-pots. Many areas have lots of shade, which for those of you doing long runs, will love during your summer marathon training! Plus, this is some very scenic and diverse viewing!! From checking out woodsy sections, to looking at beautiful homes, to crossing through towns, to prairies to marshy areas, the prairie path is a wonderful asset in the suburbs. It has 2 sections -- starts in Maywood, goes through Berkeley, Elmhurst, Villa Park, Lombard, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton and then at some point splits - a Warrenville path and an Aurora path. You can truly run a great long run on this path. it is an old railway, so it is part of the Rails to Trails system. Highly recommended!! Totally friendly people on the path too! read more

The prairie path is a gorgeous path for bikers, walkers, and anyone who loves the nature of the midwest! It travels many miles and people from all over the area love to use this path for exercise or leisure. In the warmer months, this path is crowded with so many people and it is such a beautiful view of the trees and nature of illinois. There is a clear cut path between a forest of trees and it is paved neatly. There are stop signs and paths that cross busier roads so the users of the path can stay safe while they use the path. My family and I used the prairie path all the time when I was growing up. It is great for large groups and has a very distinct path with mile markers. When running, it is fun to see how far you have gone and figure out how long you have to go. It travels through downtown wheaton, so kids love to use the path with friends to get to and from downtown areas. Also, it connects to a path that leads to Glen Ellyn, Elmhurst and other suburbs closer to Chicago. There are drinking fountains along the path as well as maps to see how far you have gone on the trail. There are also rest stops for people who need to take a break. It is an attraction for any type of person! I am very thankful to live so close to an amazing trail for biking, running, and any other type of exercise. read more

Great path. Please don't think it is only a bike path. It was from the beginning multiuse so be kind to all as you enjoy this "rails to trails" experience. I remember the beginning in the '60's as my folks were involved in the Elmhurst portion. And it runs behind my house, my Dad having built our home there so he could use the 'Roarin' Elgin" to get to work. Volunteer started and volunteer maintained, so please don't complain. Instead, help out. Then everyone will have a great time. Thank you for caring for this first in the US treasure. read more