Palos Forest Preserve Mountain Biking Trails

Palos Forest Preserve is the mountain biking mecca for the Chicago area with nine trails of varying degrees of difficulty, with plenty of singletrack mixed in with some multi-track roads.

The area has hills, rolling widetrack, tight twisty singletrack, climbs, fast descents and plenty more to keep you satisfied for hours. There are singletrack trails for novices as well as advanced riders. The trail network has many intersections to let you change your route from one ride to the next, adding in more challenging trails or bypassing them as you see fit. But that also makes it possible to get lost if you don't have the trail map with you.

Keep your eyes open for the trail markers there are illegal trails that are closed to cyclists. They are marked with an orange maker at one or both ends of the trail. FPD police patrol the illegal trails and ticket offenders.

All trails at Palos can be travelled in either direction, and are open to hikers, runners, and horses, so remember to follow proper trail etiquette, keep your head up for oncoming trail users and wear appropriate safety equipment.

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Amenities: Multiple picnic groves, shelters, port-a-potties.