On this page:
Location & Things to Do
Forest Glen Woods
Entrance
N Forest Glen Ave, north of N Elston Ave
Chicago, IL 60630
Things to Do & Amenities
- Parking
- Indoor Bathroom
- Accessible Portable Bathroom
- Trail Access
- Hiking & Walking
- Bicycling
- Dogs
(on-leash only) - Cross-Country Skiing
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Indoor bathroom open April 1 to October 31 depending on weather conditions.
Picnic Groves
- Accessible Grove #1
(with shelter)- Accessible May 1 to October 31.
- Distance to parking: 84 ft
- Distance to accessible portable bathroom: 80 ft
- Capacity: 300 people
Hours
Year-round: Sunrise to SunsetClosures & Alerts
- NO ISSUES 3/14/2025: Open during normal hours.
Trails
North Branch Trail System
The North Branch Trail System offers paved and unpaved trails along approximately 20 miles of the North Branch of the Chicago River, making it a premier biking route in the northern suburbs.
Location: Chicago, Glenview, Morton Grove, Niles, Northbrook, Northfield, Skokie & Winnetka
Surface
Paved & UnpavedEstimated Total Length
36.7 milesHours
Year-round: Sunrise to SunsetClosures & Alerts
- ALERT 11/07/2024 - 05/05/2025: North Branch Red Paved Trail will experience temporary closures between Glenview Woods and Harms Woods-North (or approximately Glenview Rd to Old Orchard Rd) for infrastructure repairs. Trail users should use the yellow unpaved trail (just west of the Red Paved Trail) as a detour, which they can connect to at Glenview Road or at Harms Woods-North. North Branch Trail System - Red Paved near Glenview Woods and Harms Woods-North.
- ALERT 02/27/2025 - 03/17/2025: Yellow Unpaved Trail will experience a temporary closure for pavement repairs at the bridge over the Skokie River, to the east of Erickson woods. North Branch Trail System - Yellow Unpaved near Erickson Woods.
*Please be a courteous trail user: Follow posted signs and our trail rules and etiquette.
Volunteer Opportunities
This unique woodland, savanna, and floodplain ecosystem is an important corridor for migratory birds. Help remove invasive plants, collect and distribute native seeds, and reduce erosion issues.