Spring seems to be officially here, and that means longer days and warmer weather affords more opportunities to get outside. In southwest suburban Lockport, there are plenty of places to get outdoors and go walking, running, or biking. From wetlands and marshes to forests and riverside trails, the landscape holds diverse flora and fauna to discover. While there are plenty of spots within the town itself, there are even more in the surrounding communities.

Dellwood Park

Photo courtesy of Dellwood Park

Dellwood Park is arguably the most popular park in Lockport, and it serves as an outdoor recreation hub for the community. The park contains an indoor facility with a full gym, pool, and space for classes, as well as outdoor baseball fields, volleyball and tennis courts, playgrounds, and more. The 150-acre park also has both paved and gravel trails. A paved trail circles the main section of the park and connects to gravel trails that wind through the forest and hills, offering inclines of various degrees to challenge runners and walkers. Be aware that some trails are uneven and may not suit all levels of fitness. Dellwood Park trails connect to the I&M Canal State Trail as well.

I&M Canal Trail

Photo courtesy of I&M Canal Trail

The I&M Canal Trail is 7.55 miles of crushed limestone/paved trail that can be accessed in Lockport, Joliet, and Romeoville. In the summer, the path is ideal for biking, hiking, and running, where as in the winter, it offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. There are four entrance points to the trail, and Lockport’s trailhead is near Second Street and Canal Street near downtown and Schneider’s Passage off Romeo Road. The trail is pretty flat and runs all along the canal, offering ideal conditions for all levels. The I&M Canal State Trail spans a total of 79.5 miles.

Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve

Prairie Nature Preserve

The Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve is a part of the larger 2,400-acre Des Plaines River preservation system and was acquired in 2011 and 2015. This area features diverse habitats, all of which are protected. There’s forest, prairie, savanna, wetland, and a portion of the Des Plaines River. There are some rare species of flora and fauna that can be found here, including the leafy prairie clover, lakeside daisy, and Hine’s emerald dragonfly. While short, at just 0.43 miles, the trail within the Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve serves as an easy hike or walking path. The trail starts on Division Street, east of Route 53, and there’s street parking available. 

Hadley Valley

Photo courtesy of Hadley Valley

Located in Lockport, Homer Glen, and Joliet, the Hadley Valley preserve is a part of the 1,900-acre Spring Creek preservation system. A 5.01-mile Spring Creek Greenway Trail is located within the 726-acre Hadley Valley park. The Spring Creek Trail is made up of crushed limestone, and it’s just a segment of the larger trail system. It’s a great spot for biking, horseback riding, hiking, running, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. The preserve is home to more than 15,000 species of insects, birds, aquatic invertebrates, fish, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. There’s also a variety of plant species that can be found here. The preserve is one of the largest in the Will County district to be restored. 

Waterfall Glen

Waterfall Glen photo courtesy of daria1022

In nearby Lemont, the Waterfall Glen Trail is a 9.5-mile trail loop around the entire park. The Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve has glacier-carved rock ridges, wetland potholes, and ravines that can’t be found anywhere else in the country, and the multi-use trail provides walking and biking access to view it all. There are limestone trails that are also groomed for skiers in the winter. The trails are made of rolling hills and are marked at every half mile for easy tracking. There are three spots for parking near the preserve.

Swallow Cliff Woods

Photo courtesy of Swallow Cliff Woods

Swallow Cliff Woods in Palos Park is known for its sledding hill and tough stairs that are always packed with visitors trying to break a sweat. There are 125 limestone stairs from its original construction as a toboggan run. Although the run has been closed, park officials added an additional 168 stairs to keep things interesting. It’s dramatic “front lawn” is where people get their stair workout in, while once at the top, there’s an 800-acre preserve to explore. Great for walking, running, and hiking, the Swallow Cliff preserve has densely forested trails and a full 8-mile trail loop.