The best walks and hikes around New Lenox

If you're seeking a tranquil, easy hike through a lush forest, the Spring Creek Greenway Loop is a fantastic choice. This 2.7-mile (4.3 km) loop offers a pleasant journey through shaded, wooded areas, with the Spring Creek flowing nearby. You'll walk on a mostly paved path, enjoying the sight of mature sycamores and bald cypress, with only 84 feet (26 metres) of gentle elevation gain over approximately 1 hour and 6 minutes. It's an ideal route for a relaxing stroll, allowing you to immerse yourself in nature without a strenuous effort.

Planning your visit is simple, as the trail is easily accessible from several connected parks, offering ample parking. The paved sections are well-maintained and patrolled by Harris County Constables, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. This makes it a great option for families or anyone looking for an easy hiking route, and its shaded canopy makes it pleasant even on sunnier days.

The Spring Creek Greenway is notable as the longest connected, urban forested corridor in the United States, making it an ecological gem. It provides a vital habitat for diverse wildlife, including salamanders, bald eagles, and gray foxes, offering excellent opportunities for wildlife spotting. The natural wetlands along the route also play a crucial role in flood mitigation, adding to the significance of this family-friendly trail.

Step back in time on the Joliet Iron Works Historic Site Trail, an easy 1.4-mile (2.2 km) hike that takes you through the fascinating ruins of a former steel mill. With only 10 feet (3 metres) of elevation gain, this flat, paved route offers a unique blend of crumbling brick walls, stone foundations, and rusted industrial remnants set within the Des Plaines River preservation system. You can expect to spend about 33 minutes exploring this distinctive landscape, which feels both historic and naturally beautiful.

The trail is entirely paved and wheelchair-accessible, making it a great option for all ages and abilities. Benches are available for resting, and if you're looking for a longer adventure, the site connects directly to the Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail, offering additional miles of crushed limestone and paved surfaces. This makes it easy to combine a historical walk with a more extensive outdoor activity.

What truly sets this trail apart is its rich historical context and educational value. Extensive interpretive signage explains the steel-making process and shares personal stories of the workers, turning your walk into a self-guided tour through a significant piece of American industrial history. It's a perfect spot for photography and offers a glimpse into how Joliet was a thriving hub for steel production in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, providing a distinctive experience you won't find on typical nature trails.

Hike the 7.0-mile Hickory Creek Bikeway, a moderate trail through a scenic wooded preserve with bridges and diverse habitats.

Hike the Old Plank Road Trail for an easy 2.4-mile (3.8 km) journey. You will experience diverse scenery, including oak trees, sugar maples, prairie grasses, and wildflowers. The route offers a pleasant "cathedral of trees" in some parts, providing welcome shade. With only 44 feet (14 metres) of elevation gain, this hike takes about 58 minutes and is considered easy, making it a relaxing outdoor experience.

The Old Plank Road Trail is primarily flat and paved, making it accessible for a variety of activities. Parking and access points are generally good along its length, so you can easily start your adventure. While the trail is mostly well-maintained, be aware that some sections may have cracks, so watch your footing. The route also features numerous road crossings, some of which are blind, so stay alert as you go.

As you hike, you will pass through the Dewey Helmick and Old Plank Road Prairie Nature Preserves. These preserves are home to over 200 species of prairie plants, creating a rich natural environment. Keep an eye out for wildlife, as these features attract a variety of birds, including bald eagles and herons, along with mammals like muskrats and beavers.