Ready to pedal your way through the many bike trails & paths of McHenry County? From quick park loops to expansive, multi-mile conservation trails, our community is a true cyclist’s paradise.
We’ve built this comprehensive guide to help riders of all ages and skill levels unlock the best bike trails and paths the county has to offer. Whether you’re commuting, training, or just cruising with the kids, your perfect route is just a click away.
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We’ve mapped out the best biking trails across our local cities and villages so you can easily plan your next bike route. Dive in, find a trail near you, and enjoy unlocking the beauty and diverse landscapes of McHenry County.
Cycling Tips & Benefits
Whether you are new to cycling or coming back to it after many years out of the saddle, the following tips aim to help make it a rewarding experience!
- Start Small: Begin with shorter, easier rides and gradually increase your distance and intensity.
- Listen to Your Body: Don’t push yourself too hard, especially when starting out. Remember, you may not “feel” it right away. Always better to end wanting more than waking up the next day wanting less.
- Join a Group: Riding with others can be motivating and provide opportunities to learn.
- Have Fun! Enjoy the freedom and benefits of cycling.
- Cardiovascular Health: Regular cycling strengthens your heart muscles, lowers resting pulse rate, and improves overall circulation, significantly reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.
- Weight Management: Cycling is an effective way to burn calories and manage weight. Consistent rides can lead to significant fat loss over time.
- Muscle Strength and Endurance: It works all major muscle groups in your lower body (glutes, quads, hamstrings, calves) and helps build core strength and muscular endurance.
- Joint Health: As a low-impact exercise, cycling is gentle on your joints (knees, hips, ankles), making it a great option for people with joint issues or those looking to prevent them.
- Improved Lung Health: Cycling enhances cardiorespiratory health, leading to improved lung function.
- Mental Well-being:
- Stress Reduction: Cycling releases endorphins, the body’s natural mood elevators, which can significantly reduce stress and anxiety.
- Improved Mood: Regular physical activity like cycling is linked to improved mood and can help alleviate symptoms of depression.
- Better Sleep: Cycling promotes cardiorespiratory fitness and reduces anxiety, both of which contribute to better sleep quality.
- Enhanced Cognition: Some research suggests cycling can improve memory, concentration, and creativity.
- Disease Prevention: Regular cycling can lower your risk of developing serious conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and arthritis.
- Improved Balance and Coordination: Riding a bike helps develop balance and spatial awareness, and strengthens stabilizing muscles.
- Wear a Helmet: Always wear a properly fitted helmet, regardless of the distance or type of ride.
- Be Visible: Use front and rear lights, especially during dawn, dusk, or night riding. Wear bright clothing.
- Follow Traffic Laws: Obey stop signs, traffic lights, and yield to pedestrians. Ride with the flow of traffic.
- Hand Signals: Use clear hand signals to indicate turns and stops.
- Awareness: Be aware of your surroundings, anticipate potential hazards, and make eye contact with drivers and pedestrians.
- Maintain a Safe Distance: Give yourself enough space to react to sudden stops or obstacles.
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Accessing the Local Bike Trails & Paths
We’ve pulled together a list of bike trails and paths that are available throughout McHenry County. Because there is such a wide variety between these, we highly encourage you to check out the information on the provider’s website, which can be found from the Details links.
While we’ve provided addresses, many of these bike trails and paths can be accessed via multiple locations.
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Algonquin
Algonquin Lakes Park
Information: Details
Prairie Trail South
Host: McHenry County Conservation District
Address: Washington St and Monroe St, Algonquin, IL 60102
Phone: 815-338-6223
Information: Details
Cary
Rotary Park (Cary Lake)
Information: Details

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Crystal Lake
Butternut Preserve
Information: Details
Fetzner Park
Host: Crystal Lake Park District
Address: 690 Alexandria Blvd and Shelton Ln, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Phone: 815-459-0680
Information: Details
Hidden Pond Bike Path
Host: Crystal Lake Park District
Address: 760 Bedford Dr, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Phone: 815-459-0680
Information: Details
Ken Bird Park
Host: Crystal Lake Park District
Address: Thomasville Ln & Nashville Ln, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Phone: 815-459-0680
Information: Details
Lippold Park
Host: Crystal Lake Park District
Address: 851 W. Route 176, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Phone: 847-658-5688
Information: Details
Prairie Trail South
Host: McHenry County Conservation District
Address: Commercial Rd & Eastgate Rd, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Phone: 815-338-6223
Information: Details
Ridgefield Trace
Host: McHenry County Conservation District
Address: 431 Walkup Rd, Crystal Lake, IL 60012
Phone: 815-338-6223
Information: Details

Sam Johns Park
Host: Crystal Lake Park District
Address: 1270 Westport Ridge Dr, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Phone: 815-459-0680
Information: Details
Shamrock Hills
Host: Crystal Lake Park District
Address: 6204 Hillside Rd, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Phone: 815-459-0680
Information: Details
Sterne’s Woods & Fen
Host: Crystal Lake Park District
Address: 5617 Hillside Rd, Crystal Lake, IL 60012
Phone: 815-459-0680
Veteran Acres Park
Willows Edge Park
Host: Crystal Lake Park District
Address: 8600 Huntley Rd, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Phone: 815-459-0680
Information: Details
Winding Creek Park & Bike Path
Host: Crystal Lake Park District
Address: 1621 Penny Lane, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Phone: 815-459-0680
Information: Details
Woodscreek Park
Host: Crystal Lake Park District
Address: 1420 Willow Tree Dr, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Phone: 815-459-0680
Information: Details

Fox Lake
Millennium Park
Host: Village of Fox Lake Parks & Recreation
Address: 23 Rollins Rd, Fox Lake, IL 60020
Phone: 224-225-1404
Information: Details
Harvard
Stone Mill Trail / Milky Way Park
Host: McHenry County Conservation District & City of Harvard
Address: 300 Lawrence Rd, Harvard, IL 60033
Phone: 815-943-6468
Information: Details
Hebron
Hebron Trail
Host: McHenry County Conservation District & City of Harvard
Address: 10106 Church St, Hebron, IL 60034
Phone: 815-943-6468
Information: Details
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Huntley
Borhart Park
Information: Details
Coach’s Park
Information: Details
Deicke Park
Information: Details
Kiley Park
Information: Details
Ol’ Timers Park
Information: Details
Parisek Park
Information: Details

Island Lake
Converse Park
Information: Details
Greenleaf Woods
Host: Village of Island Lake
Address: 3155 Carriage Hill Rd, Island Lake, IL 60042
Phone: 847-416-7866
Information: Details
Puri Family Park / Veterans Park
Information: Details

Lake in the Hills
Barbara Key Park / The Fen / Dome Hill
Host: Village of Lake in the Hills
Address: 9191 Pyott Rd, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156
Phone: 840-960-7500
Information: Details
Exner Marsh
Host: McHenry County Conservation District
Address: 9000 N Lakewood Rd, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156
Phone: 815-338-6223
Information: Details
Frank Road Bike Path
Host: Village of Lake in the Hills
Address: Miller Rd & Frank Rd, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156
Phone: 840-960-7500
Information: Details
Ken Carpenter Park
Host: Village of Lake in the Hills
Address: Miller Road & Randall Road, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156
Phone: 840-960-7500
Information: Details
Larsen Park
Host: Village of Lake in the Hills
Address: 700 Creekview Lane, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156
Phone: 840-960-7500
Information: Details
Leroy Guy Park
Host: Village of Lake in the Hills
Address: 201 Lakewood Road, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156
Phone: 840-960-7500
Information: Details
Miller Road Bike Path
Host: Village of Lake in the Hills
Address: 5200 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156
Phone: 840-960-7500
Information: Details
Normandy Park
Host: Village of Lake in the Hills
Address: 680 Normandy Lane, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156
Phone: 840-960-7500
Information: Details
Plote Field
Host: Village of Lake in the Hills
Address: 500 Grace Dr, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156
Phone: 840-960-7500
Information: Details
Sunset Park
Host: Village of Lake in the Hills
Address: 5200 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156
Phone: 840-960-7500
Information: Details
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Marengo
H.U.M. (Huntley-Union-Marengo) Trail
Host: McHenry County Conservation District
Address: S Prospect St and E Prairie St, Marengo, IL 60152
Phone: 815-338-6223
Information: Details
McHenry
Brookside Trail Park
Host: City of McHenry Parks & Recreation
Address: 4214 W Elm St, McHenry, IL 60050
Phone: 815-363-2160
Information: Details
Cold Springs Park
Host: City of McHenry Parks & Recreation
Address: 319 Depaul Ct, McHenry, IL 60050
Phone: 815-363-2160
Information: Details
McHenry Dam State Park
Host: Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Address: 2711 McHenry Dam Rd. , McHenry, IL 60051
Phone: 815-385-1624
Information: Details
Moraine Hills State Park
Host: Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Address: 1510 S River Rd, McHenry, IL 60051
Phone: 815-385-1624
Information: Details
Petersen Park
Host: City of McHenry Parks & Recreation
Address: 4300 Petersen Park Rd, McHenry, IL 60050
Phone: 815-363-2160
Information: Details
Prairie Trail North / South
Host: McHenry County Conservation District
Address: 6482 Harts Rd, Ringwood, IL 60072
Phone: 815-338-6223
Information: Details
Shamrock Farm Park
Host: City of McHenry Parks & Recreation
Address: 6402 Dartmoor Dr, McHenry, IL 60050
Phone: 815-363-2160
Information: Details
Whispering Oaks Park
Host: City of McHenry Parks & Recreation
Address: 4300 Front Royal Dr, McHenry, IL 60050
Phone: 815-363-2160
Information: Details

Richmond
Hebron Trail
Host: McHenry County Conservation District
Address: 11500 North Keystone Rd, Richmond, IL 60071
Phone: 815-338-6223
Information: Details
Prairie Trail North
Host: McHenry County Conservation District
Address: Prairie Trail & Broadway Rd, Richmond, IL 60071
Phone: 815-338-6223
Information: Details
North Branch Conservation Area
Host: McHenry County Conservation District
Address: 11360 Keystone Rd, Richmond, IL 60071
Phone: 815-338-6223
Information: Details
Ringwood
Glacial Park Conservation Area / Prairie Trail North
Host: McHenry County Conservation District
Address: 6482 Harts Rd, Ringwood, IL 60072
Phone: 815-338-6223
Information: Details
Spring Grove
Chain O’ Lakes State Park
Host: Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Address: 8916 Wilmot Rd, Spring Grove, IL 60081
Phone: 847-587-5512
Information: Details

Wonder Lake
Meadow Park
Information: Details
Woodstock
Emricson Park
Host: Woodstock Recreation Department
Address: 900 W. South St, Woodstock, IL 60098
Phone: 815-338-4363
Information: Details
Looking for a slower pace? Be sure to check out our Guide to Hiking Trails & Walking Paths in McHenry County!

Lifer:
Brian R. Brown
President and Founder of Identity Developments, LLC, the parent company of the McHenry Life website. My hope for McHenry Life is to create a resource and destination for the residents and businesses of McHenry County alike. A place where residents can discover new places to explore, fun events and ways to spend time, and then share those experiences with others. A place where businesses can connect with existing and potential customers, and not simply market their businesses, but share their own unique stories.






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