Waterfall Glen Trail Hiking Guide
Waterfall Glen is Chicago's long-distance training loop. The main trail runs nearly ten miles around the grounds of Argonne National Laboratory through woods, prairie and savanna on a wide crushed-limestone path, with the forest preserve's namesake — a tiered, CCC-built waterfall from the Depression era — tucked into a ravine on the way. It is where Chicagoans get in miles before big trips.
The Loop
Mapping apps put the main loop at about 9.5 miles with roughly 400 feet of gain. The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County describes almost 11 miles of trail across the preserve's mapped routes. The main trail is wide and surfaced with crushed limestone and turf, so it is easy walking; the challenge is the distance. Gentle hills and a few ravines break up the flat stretches.
Rocky Glen Waterfall
The waterfall at Rocky Glen is a tiered, man-made cascade built by the CCC in the 1930s. It is small but pretty, especially after rain. If you only want to see the falls, the Bluff Road parking lot is the closest, about half a mile away. Restrooms at the waterfall lot close in fall and winter.
Shared Trail
The main loop is shared with cyclists, horses and, in winter, cross-country skiers. Keep right, listen for bikes coming up behind you, and give horses a wide berth. The trail is busy on weekend mornings, especially with runners and cyclists training for events.
Where to Start
The main lot is on Northgate Road, a quarter mile west of Cass Avenue in Darien. Starting there puts the waterfall about a third of the way around. The preserve is open from one hour after sunrise to one hour after sunset. Spring wildflowers and autumn colour are the highlights; summer can be hot and buggy on the prairie sections.
Practicalities
There is no entry fee. Dogs are allowed on leashes shorter than 10 feet. Carry water for the full loop, particularly in summer — there is little shade on some stretches. Ticks are common in the grassy margins. Waterfall Glen is about 45 minutes southwest of downtown Chicago.
Hiking tips for Waterfall Glen Trail
- Park at the Bluff Road lot if you only want the waterfall — it is about half a mile away.
- Carry enough water for nearly ten miles; shade is patchy on the prairie stretches.
- Keep right and listen for bikes; the loop is shared with cyclists and horses.
- Keep dogs on a leash under 10 feet, per DuPage forest preserve rules.
- Go in spring or fall; summer brings heat and bugs to the open sections.
Nearby trails to explore
- Swallow Cliff Stairs
- Morton Arboretum Big Rock Loop
- Busse Woods Loop
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Waterfall Glen is Chicago's favourite long loop, and ten miles go faster with company. Use TrailMates to find Chicago hikers training for bigger trips. Download the TrailMates app to connect.