Hike 7 Lake County Trails, Earn A Prize This Fall

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Fall is prime hiking season in Lake County, and residents have an extra incentive to hit the trails over the next several weeks.

The Lake County Forest Preserves' annual Hike Lake County program is underway, challenging residents to explore trails at forest preserves throughout the county before Nov. 30.

This year's program has a historical theme tied to America's 250th anniversary. The selected trails highlight connections to Lake County history, with informational panels in English and Spanish available at trailheads. Several routes also feature additional history panels along the trail.

Participants who complete at least seven designated hikes can earn a free commemorative medallion. Hikers can also tackle all 12 featured trails, and a "Wild Card" option allows participants to substitute a 2-mile walk at any Lake County Forest Preserves trail.

The 2026 featured hikes include:

• Captain Daniel Wright Woods in Mettawa — 2.5 miles
• Cuba Marsh in Deer Park — 1.6 miles
• Ethel's Woods in Antioch — 1.3 miles
• Fort Sheridan in Lake Forest — 1.1 miles
• Grant Woods in Ingleside — 2.5 miles
• Grassy Lake in Lake Barrington — 1.8 miles
• Half Day in Vernon Hills — 1.9 miles
• Independence Grove in Libertyville — 1.5 miles
• Lyons Woods in Waukegan — 2 miles
• Raven Glen in Antioch — 1.7 miles
• Ray Lake in Wauconda — 2.6 miles
• Van Patten Woods in Wadsworth — 1.9 miles

The Captain Daniel Wright Woods, Grant Woods and Ray Lake routes each count as two trails toward the seven-hike requirement. Most of the designated routes are also dog-friendly.

Dogs can get in on the challenge, too. Participants can include their dog's name on their travel log when the pet completes a qualifying hike. Dogs that finish can receive a commemorative tag for their collars, with up to three dogs allowed per participant.

To participate, hikers should download a travel log and record each completed hike. One log can include as many as five participants, and households can submit up to two logs.

After completing seven qualifying trails, participants can choose between a commemorative hiking shield or a zipper pull/dog tag while supplies last. This year's design features a bald eagle, which has been used as a U.S. emblem since 1782 and was formally designated the national bird in 2024.

Hikes must be completed between Aug. 15 and Nov. 30. Travel logs must be submitted by Dec. 31 to receive the commemorative item. Logs can be submitted online, in person or mailed to the Lake County Forest Preserves. Processing takes about seven to 14 business days.

Bicycling and horseback riding do not count toward completion of the challenge.

More information, including the travel log and maps for each participating trail, is available through the Lake County Forest Preserves' Hike Lake County page.