Heritage Quarries Recreation Area is a recreation area in Lemont, Illinois, featuring a distinctive landscape formed by historical limestone quarries now filled with clear freshwater. The area encompasses both crushed limestone paths and wooded nature trails, alongside the historic Illinois and Michigan (I&M) Canal. This diverse terrain supports several sports like hiking, mountain biking, jogging, touring cycling, and more, making it a notable destination for outdoor pursuits.
Heritage Quarries Recreation Area offers…
80
Routes
4.5
(147)
Average rating
1820
People visited

2
hikers
1.76km
00:27
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
18.7km
04:46
60m
70m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.36km
00:54
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1.86km
00:29
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.7
(3)
155
runners
16.6km
01:57
80m
80m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

15
runners
9.78km
01:01
70m
70m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
3
runners
6.17km
00:38
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
runners
3.68km
00:23
0m
0m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.7
(10)
64
riders
15.4km
01:16
120m
120m
Hard mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

5.0
(5)
44
riders
15.5km
01:15
80m
80m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(3)
49
riders
28.7km
02:21
190m
190m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
20.9km
01:42
100m
100m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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58.7km
03:40
150m
150m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

85.1km
04:55
320m
320m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

63
riders
47.2km
02:46
70m
70m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(6)
46
riders
29.8km
01:43
50m
50m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.6
(9)
215
riders
45.6km
02:27
70m
70m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.6
(10)
219
riders
46.8km
02:15
120m
120m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

29
riders
47.1km
01:56
170m
170m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

47
riders
21.5km
01:01
40m
40m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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12
riders
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(3)
21
riders
44.5km
02:30
190m
190m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
riders
Easy gravel ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
7
riders
42.3km
02:20
220m
220m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Heritage Quarries Recreation Area offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking, jogging, and touring cycling. The area features both crushed limestone paths and wooded nature trails. Specialized facilities for mountain biking are also available.
Yes, Heritage Quarries Recreation Area provides various hiking opportunities on both crushed limestone paths and wooded nature trails. Visitors can find detailed information and routes in the Hiking in Heritage Quarries Recreation Area guide. There are also guides for easy hikes and family-friendly hikes.
Yes, mountain biking is a popular activity in Heritage Quarries Recreation Area. The Forge: Lemont Quarries, located within the area, features a pump track and an advanced outdoor skills course. Five miles (8 km) of trails are available throughout the 300-acre property for casual rides. More information can be found in the MTB Trails in Heritage Quarries Recreation Area guide.
Heritage Quarries Recreation Area offers options for touring cycling, road cycling, and gravel biking. The I&M Canal Trail, a 6-mile (9.7 km) crushed stone surface, is suitable for touring cyclists. Casual riding trails are also available throughout the public recreation area. Guides such as Cycling in Heritage Quarries Recreation Area provide route details.
Yes, Heritage Quarries Recreation Area includes trails suitable for beginners and those seeking easier routes. The crushed limestone paths, such as sections of the I&M Canal Trail, offer relatively flat terrain. The Easy hikes in Heritage Quarries Recreation Area guide highlights suitable options.
The area's unique landscape features numerous quarry lakes formed from abandoned limestone mining pits. A small waterfall is located on the east side of the park, and a rare limestone fen can be found west of Icebox Quarry. The historic Illinois and Michigan (I&M) Canal also runs through the area.
The I&M Canal Trail, a 6-mile (9.7 km) crushed stone surface, is suitable for dog walkers. Specific rules regarding dogs on other trails or within The Forge: Lemont Quarries may vary. Visitors should check local signage for regulations.
Heritage Quarries Recreation Area is open from dusk until dawn, seven days a week. This allows for ample opportunity for various outdoor activities. Specific facilities within the area, such as The Forge: Lemont Quarries, may have different operating hours.
Heritage Quarries Recreation Area is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 5,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The area's routes have an average rating of 4.77 out of 5 stars. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users.
Yes, the I&M Canal Trail, with its 6-mile (9.7 km) crushed stone surface, is ideal for runners and joggers. Signs along the I&M Trail mark 2-mile (3.2 km), 5k (3.1 miles), and 5-mile (8 km) looped courses. These courses begin and end at a trailhead in downtown Lemont. More details are in the Running Trails in Heritage Quarries Recreation Area guide.
Yes, a small waterfall is located on the east side of Heritage Quarries Recreation Area. Its flow can vary depending on the time of year. Visitors interested in routes featuring this natural attraction can consult the Waterfall hikes in Heritage Quarries Recreation Area guide.
The Heritage Quarries Recreation Area is managed in conjunction with the Village of Lemont and The Forge: Lemont Quarries. The official website for The Forge: Lemont Quarries is theforgeparks.com. For inquiries, the phone number is +16302398429.

