Guide to Cross Country Skiing in McHenry County

While the park has two entrances, the west entrance may be better for cross-country skiing. Maintained by the McHenry County Conservation District, this site is open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Host: McHenry County Conservation District

Address: 1900 Crystal Lake Rd, Cary, IL 60013

Phone: 815-338-6223

Hickory Grove is actually one of three combined sites, and the address listed here is specific to this site. A section of the trail is solar-lit for part of the year so visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing or hiking in the evening. Maintained by the McHenry County Conservation District, this site is open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Host: McHenry County Conservation District

Address: 500 Hickory Nut Grove Rd, Cary, IL 60013

Phone: 815-338-6223

Maintained by the Cary Park District, this neighborhood park is composed of over 15 acres, including a playground, shelter, and several soccer fields.

Host: Cary Park District

Address: Georgetown Dr & Cimarron Drive, Cary, IL 60013

Phone: 847-639-6100

Maintained by the Cary Park District, Lions Park is home to sledding in addition to cross-country skiing. The park closes at dusk.

Host: Cary Park District

Address: 1200 Silver Lake Rd, Cary, IL 60013

Phone: 847-639-6100

Lyons Prairie & Marsh is one of three combined sites, and the address listed here is specific to this site. Maintained by the McHenry County Conservation District, this site is open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Host: McHenry County Conservation District

Address: 7000 S Hickory Nut Grove Rd, Cary, IL 60013

Phone: 815-338-6223

Maintained by the Cary Park District, this 64-acre park features walking paths that are available for cross-country skiing during the winter months.

Host: Cary Park District

Address: E Main St, Cary, IL 60013

Phone: 847-639-6100

Maintained by the McHenry County Conservation District, this 840-acre site is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Silver Creek features several cross-country skiing trails. When there are four inches or more of snow, four miles of north-end trails are groomed for cross-country skiing, and a 1.5-mile, relatively flat, trail loop at the southern end is groomed for skate skiing. A skate ski trail differs from a traditional cross-country ski trail by being packed, but not tracked.

See also the Prairieview Education Center information.

Host: McHenry County Conservation District

Address: 1009 Rawson Bridge Rd, Cary, IL 60013

Phone: 815-338-6223

Maintained by the McHenry County Conservation District, this 478-acre site is open daily from sunrise to sunset. During the winter, when there are four inches of snow, two miles of trails are groomed for cross-country skiing.

Host: McHenry County Conservation District

Address: 3804 Hwy 14, Cary, IL 60013

Phone: 815-338-6223

Maintained by the Crystal Lake Park District, Butternut Preserve is located just west of West Elementary School.

Host: Crystal Lake Park District

Address: 9214 Butternut Dr, Crystal Lake, IL

Phone: 815-459-0680

This 310-acre multi-use park is maintained by the Crystal Lake Park District.

Host: Crystal Lake Park District

Address: 851 W. Route 176, Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Phone: 815-459-0680

Maintained by the McHenry County Conservation District, the Prairieview Education Center is located within the Silver Creek Conservation Area and provides access to the northern cross-country skiing trails. When there are four inches or more of snow, four miles of north-end trails are groomed for cross-country skiing.

Host: McHenry County Conservation District

Address: 2112 Behan Rd, Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Phone: 815-338-6223

This 185-acre nature preserve is maintained by the Crystal Lake Park District. Open from dawn to dusk.

Host: Crystal Lake Park District

Address: 5617 Hillside Rd, Crystal Lake, IL 60012

Phone: 815-459-0680

This 140-acre park is a year-round favorite. Maintained by the Crystal Lake Park District, it is a popular winter spot for both cross-country skiing and sledding. Open from dawn to dusk.

Host: Crystal Lake Park District

Address: 431 Walkup Rd, Crystal Lake, IL 60012

Phone: 815-459-0680

Maintained by the McHenry County Conservation District, in the winter months when 4 inches of snow is present, 2 miles of trails are groomed for cross-country skiing. Trails are on relatively flat terrain, ideal for beginning skiers, while still providing scenic variety and longer lengths for the intermediate skier. Open from sunrise to sunset.

Host: McHenry County Conservation District

Address: 20501 McGuire Rd, Harvard, IL 60033

Phone: 815-338-6223

Maintained by the McHenry County Conservation District, this 408-acre conservation area is open from sunrise to sunset.

Host: McHenry County Conservation District

Address: 1500 Jefferson St, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156

Phone: 815-338-6223

Maintained by the McHenry County Conservation District, this 794-acre conservation area is open from sunrise to sunset. It features 1.5 miles of trail that is open for cross-country skiing. While the trail is not groomed, it is on relatively flat terrain, ideal for beginning skiers.

Host: McHenry County Conservation District

Address: 7400 Somerset, Marengo, IL 60152

Phone: 815-338-6223

Maintained by the McHenry County Conservation District, this paved trail primarily serves walkers, runners, and cyclists, but also doubles for cross-country skiing trails in the winter when there is at least 4″ (ungroomed) of snow.

Host: McHenry County Conservation District

Address: S Prospect St and E Prairie St, Marengo, IL 60152

Phone: 815-338-6223

Maintained by the McHenry County Conservation District, this 818-acre conservation area is open from sunrise to sunset. Marengo Ridge is suitable for both beginners and intermediate cross-country skiers.

Glide through blanketed woodlands and stride across the frozen prairie on cross-country skis. When there are four or more inches of snow, skiers can enjoy over four miles of groomed trails. There is a 2.2-mile trail designated for beginners, as well as a 2.3-mile trail for intermediate skiers.

Host: McHenry County Conservation District

Address: 2411 N Rte 23, Marengo, IL 60152

Phone: 815-338-6223

Moraine Hills State Park features over 10 miles of multi-use trails that can be used for cross-country skiing during the winter months. Park access can vary during different times of the year and seasons, so be sure to check the site or contact them for specific hours.

Host: IL DNR

Address: 1510 S River Rd, McHenry, IL 60051

Phone: 815-385-1624

Maintained by the McHenry County Conservation District, the west trail loop provides .8 miles and the east trail loop provides .69 miles of cross-country skiing. Open from sunrise to sunset.

Host: McHenry County Conservation District

Address: 3216 West State Park Rd, McHenry, IL 60050

Phone: 815-338-6223

This massive conservation area is maintained by the McHenry County Conservation District and is home to year-round activities, including sledding and snowmobiling trails, in addition to cross-country skiing. Open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Host: McHenry County Conservation District

Address: 6705 State Rte 31, Ringwood, IL 60072

Phone: 815-678-4532 (Lost Valley Visitor Center), 815-338-6223

Prairie Trail North is part of the 26 miles of bike and walking trail, which may also be used for cross-country skiing with enough snowfall. While accessible from various locations, from Algonquin to Richmond, the address here is for Glacial Park.

Host: McHenry County Conservation District

Address: 6705 State Rte 31, Ringwood, IL 60072

Phone: 815-338-6223

Located in both McHenry and Lake Counties, the Chain O’ Lakes State Park provides year-round outdoor fun. The horse trail, bike trails, and Nature’s Way trail may be used for cross-country skiing during the winter months when snowfall is sufficient. Open daily in the winter months from 8:00 am to sunset.

Host: IL DNR

Address: 8916 Wilmot Rd, Spring Grove, IL 60081

Phone: 847-587-5512

Maintained by the McHenry County Conservation District, this 75-acre park features 1.6 miles of cross-country skiing trails. Open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Host: McHenry County Conservation District

Address: 7055 McCullom Lake Rd, Wonder Lake, IL 60097

Phone: 815-338-6223

This 23-acre park is open daily from dawn to 10 pm.

Host: Woodstock Recreation Department

Address: 1450 Seminary Rd, Woodstock, IL 60098

Phone: 815-338-6223

Maintained by the McHenry County Conservation District, this conservation area features a 1-mile looped trail, especially ideal for advanced skiers due to the steepness of the trail. Open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Host: McHenry County Conservation District

Address: 2105 Paulson Rd, Woodstock, IL 60098

Phone: 815-338-6223

This 25-acre park is open daily from dawn to dusk.

Host: Woodstock Recreation Department

Address: 4622 Dean St, Woodstock, IL 60098

Phone: 815-338-4363

Emricson is Woodstock’s largest park, at 130 acres. The park is regularly open daily from 5 am to 11 pm.

Host: Woodstock Recreation Department

Address: 900 West South St, Woodstock, IL 60098

Phone: 815-338-4363

Maintained by the McHenry County Conservation District, this conservation area provides visitors an opportunity to try snowshoeing and cross-country skiing (when there are at least 4 inches of snow) on 2.7 miles of groomed trails that are perfect for beginners or those skiers who like a longer route.

Additionally, a .5-mile solar-lit trail located on the east side of the entrance is open until 9 p.m. daily, November through March, to allow visitors to get out on the trails after dark.

Host: McHenry County Conservation District

Address: 13315 Pleasant Valley Rd, Woodstock, IL 60098

Phone: 815-338-6223

This small 2.59-acre park is open from dawn to dusk.

Host: Woodstock Recreation Department

Address: 401 E Lake St, Woodstock, IL 60098

Phone: 815-338-4363

This 21-acre park is open from dawn to dusk.

Host: Woodstock Recreation Department

Address: 751 E Kimball St, Woodstock, IL 60098

Phone: 815-338-4363