Horseback Riding

Over 80 miles of trails for visitors on horseback

Most of the individual trails in the forest preserves below allow horseback riding, but a handful may have seasonal or site-specific restrictions. Please refer to individual forest preserve maps, if available, for details.

Forest preserves with designated horse-trailer parking areas are marked with an asterisk. These lots have ample room for turning and a special coating that helps prevent horses from slipping.

Horseback Riding Trails

Forest Preserve	Activity	Surface	Map
Blackwell* in Warrenville	H,B,C,HR	limestone
Churchill Woods in Glen Ellyn	H,B,C,HR	limestone, turf
Cricket Creek in Addison	H,B,C,HR	limestone
Danada* in Wheaton	H,B,C,HR	limestone, wood chip
Egermann Woods   in Lisle	H,B,C,HR	mowed
Fullersburg Woods*  in Oak Brook	H,B,C,HR	limestone
Greene Valley* in Naperville	H,B,C,HR	limestone
Hawk Hollow in Hanover Park	H,B,C,HR	limestone
Herrick Lake*  in Wheaton	H,B,C,HR	limestone
Hidden Lake in Downers Grove	H,B,C,HR	limestone
Mallard Lake in Hanover Park Mallard Lake is closed during renovation, Learn More»	H,B,C,HR	limestone
Mayslake in Oak Brook	H,B,C,HR	limestone
McDowell Grove in Naperville	H,B,C,HR	limestone
Meacham Grove in Bloomingdale	H,B,C,HR	limestone
Pratt's Wayne Woods*   in Wayne	H,B,C,HR	limestone, turf
Salt Creek Greenway in Elmhurst	H,B,C,HR	limestone
Salt Creek Marsh in Itasca	H,B,C,HR	limestone
Springbrook Prairie  in Naperville	H,B,C,HR	limestone
Timber Ridge in West Chicago	H,B,C,HR	limestone
Warrenville Grove in Warrenville	H,B,C,HR	limestone
Waterfall Glen* in Darien	H,B,C,HR	limestone, wood chip
West Branch in Bartlett	H,B,C,HR	limestone
West DuPage Woods  in West Chicago	H,B,C,HR	limestone, turf
H Hiking  B Bicycling  C Cross-Country Skiing  HR Horseback Riding

Horseback Riding Guidelines

• The use of Forest Preserve District trails does not require a permit or have an associated fee.
• Ride on the right side of the trail; ride single file when in groups.
• Announce “passing on your left” when doing so.
• Keep horses under control at all times; racing is prohibited.
• Avoid riding in wet or muddy conditions.
• Do not bring horses into picnic areas, campgrounds, off-leash dog areas or model airfields.
• Avoid cross-country ski tracks.
• Park trailers in designated areas only.
• Be aware of wildlife both on and off the trail. Remember, you are a visitor in their habitat. 
• Practice “leave no trace.” Whatever you bring into a forest preserve, take out.
• To preserve nature’s quiet and solitude, refrain from making any loud sounds.
• “DuPage County Forest Preserve Trails” contains maps for 21 forest preserves and one state park. E-mail forest@dupageforest.com or call Visitor Services at (630) 933-7248 for a free printed copy, or download Forest Preserve Trails.