I recently visited Hoover Forest Preserve, near Yorkville, Illinois, for a delightful 3 mile loop hike. This area is a great destination on the western outskirts of the Chicago suburbs. It’s about 57 miles from the Loop and easily accessible from I-88, I-55 or I-80.
Hoover Forest Preserve is part of the Kendall County Forest Preserve District. According to Enjoy Illinois, Hoover includes nearly 400 acres and 5.5 miles of trails. The preserve features about a mile of Fox River shoreline and the trails provide some glimpses of the waterway.
Nice Trail System
On a pleasant day in May, I found the trails to be in great condition. There are a variety of surfaces along the (mostly) outer trail loop that I hiked. Plan to encounter a bit of gravel access roadways, some mowed grass, and plenty of natural surface or dirt trails at this hike destination. The trail had helpful markings at some of the intersections to help guide you on your way. Some areas are single track, while others are much wider. Some of this system is a shared equestrian trail, so keep an eye out for droppings. If you encounter horses, step to the side of the trail and let them pass before continuing your hike.
The trail system winds through oak forests and a few pine groves, that provided the magical pine aroma I find so invigorating and satisfying on a hike! There is a bit of elevation change on the trail, especially as you get closer to the river and traverse the ravines and bluffs. In fact there is one fairly steep drop and climb on the trail, as it takes you through a ravine with a creek running through the bottom. However, most of the trail would be considered level and easy to hike. I recommend using this trail map or the AllTrails app to navigate the trails.
The Nitty Gritty
Much of this trail system is under tree cover, but some of it is through open prairie and access roadway areas, so be prepared for sun exposure when you visit. And, a reminder that it’s “always” tick season, so wear insect repellent and/or long pants, a hat, and other protective clothing. I found one tick trying to hitch a ride home with me when I checked before getting in the car. Needless to say, I kicked him off and left him behind!
There is plenty of parking in the gravel lot just past the main entrance, before you cross the train tracks. I found the portajohn to be clean on a Tuesday morning. The trail system is accessible from the parking area via a connector trail that goes under the train tracks or just by walking up the road a short distance to hop on the first section of trail – or gravel access road.
Hike Highlights
Highlights of this dirt trail hike on the day I visited included a dozen or so types of spring wildflowers, two deer sightings, lots of birdsong, and an awesome sighting of a giant pileated woodpecker that was on a low log just several yards away from me. While I don’t know what the history of the Hoover site is, there is some evidence of prior uses. As mentioned, there were pine groves and another stand of trees planted in a series of straight lines for wind breaks or maybe a tree nursery. I also saw Lily of the Valley among some of the native wildflowers. Towards the end of the trail (going counter clockwise around the outer loop) there was evidence of structure foundations that had been removed.
Check it Out
There are several buildings at Hoover Forest Preserve, used for rentals, programs, and camping. It is always a good idea to check the forest preserve district’s website before a weekend visit to see if there are special events or programs taking place that might be of interest or that would spoil your experience. Based on my experience, you can probably expect to have the trail almost completely to yourself on a weekday morning.
If you’re looking for a nice dirt trail system with some good variety in habitats and scenery, I definitely recommend checking out Hoover Forest Preserve. There’s plenty of trail to spend an hour or half a day there!
