Chain O'Lakes State Park has 2,793 acres of land bordering two natural lakes, Lake Marie and Glass Lake.  The Fox River flows through the park before emptying into Grass Lake.  The river connects eight other lakes to form the chain, which has over 6,400 acres of water and nearly 500 miles of shoreline.

Park Website: http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/PARKS/R2/CHAINO.HTM
Trail Distance: 17 Miles, 6 Miles of multi-use
Trail Surface: Paved and crushed limestone
Type of Use: Tour
Towns: Fox Lake
County: Lake, McHenry
Intensity of Use: Light
Setting: State Park
Restrictions:  Bicycling is not allowed on the equestrian trails on the west side of the park.  The trails are closed during  November and December due to hunting. 
Connecting Trails: None
Maintained by:  Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Directions for parking: From the south take Route 12 north of the town of Fox Lake. Turn right onto Wilmot Road. Continue 2 miles to the main park entrance. The northern area of the park (Oak Point) can be accessed from Route 173 just south of the Wisconsin border and west of Channel Lake.
Hours of Operation:  April 1 to October 31, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Mid-December to March 31, 8 a.m. to sunset.  Closed to bicyclists from November through mid-December.

Notes:  The Oak Point access has shelters, restrooms, and picnic tables but no trails.  Drive to the north end of the park road and stop at the park office.  You may obtain a park map here as well as find some interesting displays on wildlife and a good view of the valley, with Fox River in the distance. 

The Gold Finch (Yellow) Trail is to the right (west) of the park office.  Each of the park's four multi-use trails has a different color to identify it.  Traveling down the hill from the park office, you will find six-foot-tall big bluestem among other prairie grasses.  The Gold Finch trail is 1. 7 miles long and features woodlands, open fields, and marshes along the banks of the Fox River.

The next rail, to the right of the first intersection on Gold Finch, is Badger trail (White).  Heading left (south) you will come to another intersection.  Head left and enjoy a pine forest with evergreen.  The Badger Trail is 1.5 miles long and features mostly open meadows and prairies covering the rolling hills famous in Northern Illinois.  Traveling along this trail for about .8 miles, another intersection will occur.  The path to the right returns to the Park Office, turning left will take you up a hill and connects to the Orange, Sunset Trail.  This will give you a good view of the Fox River and Grass Lake.

The Sunset Trail travels past a picnic area called Hickory Grove and ends at the Catfish Cove picnic Area near the Maple Grove Boat Launch.

The next path, located at the boat launch, takes you across the park road at the Oak Grove Picnic area, where restrooms are located.  There will be a short woodchip trail down to a marsh at the camera sign.  Do not ride your bike down this trial, but take the time to walk down and see the beautiful marsh area.  Traveling for another half mile and you will arrive at the Pike North Picnic Area and a 1/3 mile disability trail featuring a platform overlooking the marsh..  Continuing south on the sunset trail (orange) will take you to a trail intersection.  Heading right takes you to the camping area.  Turning left will take you through the Oak Grove picnic area and a playground area.

Heading back north in the Pike Marsh North Picnic area, you will now head left and back north.  The trail will intersect a 1.1 mile trail, the brown Cattail Trail.

Trail Map:

Rider's Comments: This 2,793-acre state park near the town of Fox Lake has one of the best trail systems in the area. You'll discover almost 17 miles of trail, including 6 miles of multi-use paths open to bicyclists.

While you can access trails near the Wilmot Road entrance or at any of the picnic areas, one of the better spots to start your hike is at the north end of the park road (see trail diagram). You'll find some interesting wildlife displays at the park office there and a good view of the valley and the Fox River in the distance. Restrooms, drinking water, and bike racks are available.

Each multi-use trail is marked with different colored posts, so you'll always know where you are. The trailhead for the 1.75-mile Gold Finch Trail (yellow) is to the west as you leave the park office. The trail loops through a medley of woodlands, open fields, marshes, and along the banks of the Fox River. It intersects with the Badger Trail (white), another loop that traverses mostly open meadow and prairie covering the rolling hills.

Additionally, there is the Sunset Trail that ends at Catfish Cove near the Maple Grove Boat Launch. Concessions, a public telephone, restrooms, and a picnic area are located at Catfish Cove. The nearby 2.5-mile Nature's Way Trail wanders through an oak and hickory forest, runs along a marsh and sedge meadow, and overlooks Grass Lake with its cattail-lined shore. And there are still other trails to be explored.

Chain O' Lakes also offers 8 miles of equestrian trails on the west side of the park. These trails are open to hikers but bicyclists are not allowed.

For Detailed Information Contact:
Illinois Department of Conservation

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