Preserve Website: http://www.fpdwc.org/mckinley.cfm
Trail Distance: 4.2 miles
Trail Surface: Packed dirt
Type of Use: Fat Tire
Towns: Joliet, Channahon
County: Will
Intensity of Use: Unknown
Setting: Wooded
Maintained By: Forest Preserve District of Will County
Connecting Trails: I & M Canal
Preserve Hours: Summer Hours (April - October) 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. / Winter Hours (November - March) 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Directions for parking: Take I-55 to Route 6 northeast of Channahon. Exit on Route 6 heading west. McKinley Woods Road is 3.5 miles west of I-55. Head south on McKinley Woods Road for 2 miles through a housing development to the preserve entrance.  Or take Route 80 to Ridge Road/Minooka and head south.  Turn left onto Route 6 and turn right on McKinley Woods Road.
Trail Map:

Rider's Comments: One of the most scenic preserves in Will County is at a large bend in the Des Plaines River south of Channahon. There are 2.5 miles of packed-earth hiking trails overlooking ravines and the river.

Park at the Boatsman Landing parking area. There are two trailheads here. East of Boatsman Landing is Frederick's Grove and access to the .5-mile Heritage Trail, which leads through an oak/maple woodland northeast along the I&M Canal to a loop trail with some steep sections.

West of Boatsman Landing is the looping 1.2-mile Trail of the Old Oaks. This trail has a steep climb with some scenic views of the canal, river, and later deep ravines. A spur to the left leads east to the River Bend Lookout parking area. East of the Riverbend Lookout parking area is the Upland Ski Trail consisting of two loops totaling .8 mile.

lizerdman: The best trail here is the 1.2 mile trail. It has one downfall either direction you decide to ride it in there will be a really steep hill to climb. So unless your a Olympic athlete I doubt you can ride it to the top. The best of this trail is the wicked downhill after the climb. The downhill is very steep and has some nasty roots making it easy to get some air while flying down it. Overall view the trials are technical with fast sections, but the small size makes you wonder if its worth the drive. If you live close by or don't mind the drive check it out.

For Detailed Information Contact:
Illinois Department of Conservation