Tinley Creek Trail System

Tinley Creek Trail during fall. Photo by Sharon Dobben.
Photo by Sharon Dobben.

The Tinley Creek Trail System’s three paved loops take visitors over gently rolling hills, through prairies and forests, and alongside wetlands and ravines.

On this page:


Overview & Maps

Tinley Creek Trail System

Location: Markham, Midlothian, Oak Forest, Orland Park, Palos Heights & Tinely Park

Surface

Paved & Unpaved

Estimated Total Length

27.3 miles

Hours

Year-round: Sunrise to Sunset

Closures & Alerts

*Please be a courteous trail user: Follow posted signs and our trail rules and etiquette.

Trail Access

Access the Tinley Creek Trail System at any of these forest preserve locations (ordered from North to South). Check out the trail maps listed above to find on-street or bikeway access points.


Arrowhead Lake
W 135th St, east of Harlem Ave
Cook County, IL 60463 (view web map of Arrowhead Lake)
(near Palos Heights)

Cooper’s Hawk Family Picnic Area
W 135th St, east of S Ridgeland Ave
(near Palos Heights)

Turtlehead Lake
Harlem Ave, south of W 135th St
Cook County, IL 60462 (view web map of Turtlehead Lake)
(near Orland Park)

Rubio Woods
W Midlothian Turnpike/W 143rd St, east of S Ridgeland Ave
Cook County, IL 60445 (view web map of Rubio Woods)
(near Midlothian)

Goeselville Grove Family Picnic Area
Ridgeland Ave, south of E 143rd St
(near Oak Forest)

Catalina Grove Family Picnic Area
151st St, west of Harlem Ave
(near Orland Park)


Bremen Grove
Oak Park Ave, south of 159th St
Cook County, IL 60477 (view web map of Bremen Grove)
(near Tinley Park)

Yankee Woods
Central Ave, north of 167th St
Cook County, IL 60477 (view web map of Yankee Woods)
(near Tinley Park)

Midlothian Reservoir
167th St, west of Cicero Ave

St. Mihiel Woods-East
Central Ave, south of 167th St
(near Tinley Park)

two people walking a dog on the Tinley Creek Trail at Yankee Woods

Recommended Hikes

Introductory

Start and end at the Yankee Woods parking lot

  • Length: 3.1 miles
  • Surface: Paved
  • Terrain: Slight Hills

The three-mile paved Purple Paved Loop, which traces the perimeter of the George W. Dunne National Golf Course, offers a relaxing tour through lush landscapes.

Start your trip at the west end of the Yankee Woods parking lot to access the Purple Paved Loop.


Yankee Woods
Central Ave, north of 167th St
Cook County, IL 60477 (view web map of Yankee Woods)
(near Tinley Park)

Intermediate

Start and end at the Turtlehead Lake parking lot

  • Length: 10.5 miles
  • Surface: Paved
  • Terrain: Rolling

Begin your trek at the Turtlehead Lake parking lot and follow the Orange Spur to the 9.4-mile, Red Pave Loop.

The Red Paved Loop winds through woodlands and wetlands, around Turtlehead Lake and Arrowhead Lake and crosses Tinley Creek. The creek is a popular stopover for migrating songbirds from April through early June, and in September.


Turtlehead Lake
Harlem Ave, south of W 135th St
Cook County, IL 60462 (view web map of Turtlehead Lake)
(near Orland Park)

Advanced

Start and end at the Yankee Woods parking lot

  • Length: 16 miles
  • Surface: Paved
  • Terrain: Rolling

Seeking a challenge? Try a combination of the Purple and Red Paved Loops, using the Green Paved Trail as a connector, for a total of 16 miles. These paved trails are great for hiking, cycling, or cross-country skiing in the winter.

Access the Purple Paved Loop from the west end of the Yankee Woods parking lot and take it in either direction. Circle the George W. Dunne National Golf Course and connect with the Green Paved Trail at 159th and Ridgeland. Follow north to the Red Paved Loop which winds through scenic woodlands, crosses Tinley Creek, and passes by Turtlehead Lake and Arrowhead Lake. Bird watching along the Red Paved Loop is especially good in spring and early fall.


Yankee Woods
Central Ave, north of 167th St
Cook County, IL 60477 (view web map of Yankee Woods)
(near Tinley Park)