McDowell Grove Forest Preserve

I’m fortunate enough to live super close to McDowell Forest Preserve. We just checked this place out on Christmas day, and I’m so glad we did!
There are multiple trails that you can take when you get into the main entrance. They range from 1 miles to 3.3 miles. There are trails that follow a nice river, and ones that go deeper into the actual forest.
Overall, well maintained, open, and doesn’t feel crowded. There’s a nice picnic area for anyone who wants to bring a grill and have a gathering. There are bins to dispose of coals and hot waste. There are not too many forest preserves that make me really want to continue to visit — I’d rather go to a more remote forest and hike; however, this place is big enough that I feel I will return for some more long walks in the woods.

Not a good trail for runners. Nothing is clearly marked and it doesn’t loop back to the start of the trail. It’s fine for nearby office workers wanting to get an afternoon stroll, but this isn’t a runners trail. Nothing pretty about this place. Very basic. Also, saw a drug transaction in the parking lot. So that was neat.

Beautiful place, nice open areas for kids, as well as great space to just sit and take in the scenery

This is a fantastic trail to run or ride your bike. Wouldn’t think you could feel so remote in such a busy area… and wave hello to the folks always fishing at the dam.

NOTHING like a early morning run… Love this place, winter, summer, spring or fall… all the runners or people who are just walking their dogs are always so friendly. In the morning there are police supervision and its cool because they do not bother you. Great place to have a quick run and enjoy the trails… Plus I have not ran into a scary bug yet. but if I did, Im sure my runs would be more effective

What a great forest preserve for running!
So there are a few great options when you run here. If you park off Raymond Rd. in the main parking lot, you can either go north to Warrenville Rd, or you can also head southward. I did not realize until today that the southbound trail actually hooks up with the Naperville Riverwalk.
There are quite a few offshoots to this trail, but to get to the Riverwalk (and make it an 8 mile roundtrip) you head south out of the preserve. When you get to the dam on the DuPage river, follow it around the dam and watch for the buildings on Ogden. If you follow the turns towards the building, you will eventually cross Ogden and then Jefferson to get to the Riverwalk.
This is a really nice preserve overall… there were a decent amount of runners out but shade was hard to find. Still, this is a very secluded and picturesque setting. Looking forward to logging many more miles around here. Bonus too for being close to Lifetime Fitness… always a nice alternative to the treadmill.

After 5 years of living in Boston, arguably the best place in the US to live if you’re a runner, I worried about how and where I was going to run in a midwestern suburb. Fortunately I live across the street from the McDowell Grove Forest Preserve, and it was a real treat to be able to run on trails and not have to worry about getting hit by the random right-​turning car!!!
The trails themselves are in great condition, except for the annoying entrance from Raymond/​River, which is potholed and has a bunch of larger sized pebbles which are a real joy to run over when you’re just finishing your 8 mile long run. And while the McDowell Grove officially doesn’t go south of the River/​Raymond intersection, the DuPage River trail continues south uninterrupted until Jefferson (which is honestly my favorite part of the trail).
Northbound the trail extends to Warrenville Road, which gives a total end-​to-​end trail distance of just shy of 4,5 miles if you stick to the main path. There are plenty of offshoots that I have never ventured onto.
As with all trails, sometimes it gets a bit more crowded on the weekends when the weather is nice and people go for strolls with their kids and dogs. But most times I’ve had no problems with congestion, as I tend to run during off-​peak times and regardless of weather. The trail does flood at times (most notably earlier this year when Naperville was completely under water and the preserve was closed for at least a week), and at times the Ogden underpass will be under water. Of course, in the winter, expect snow. That’s a sad time of year, as I have to take my running elsewhere.
Finally, I have to make note that the parking area off of McDowell Road gives me a sketchy vibe, much like I used to feel while walking around the Back Bay Fens to get to my victory garden in the evening… I’m not sure if it really IS a cruising spot, much like the BBF was, but that’s the vibe I get. It’s totally more legit-​feeling on the weekends, just weekday evenings at a certain time, there are a bunch of dudes waiting in their cars, smoking, with the engines still on.