Fall races don’t care how hot July was. Get out there anyway.
Nobody is running trails in July because it’s comfortable. You’re doing it because there’s a race on the calendar, a 25k, a 50k, maybe something truly unhinged, and you know that October you is going to be really grateful that August you didn’t sleep in.
The good news: you don’t have to drive an hour to find quality trail miles. Chicago and the surrounding area has shaded, runnable, legitimately good trail right in your backyard. Here’s where to go.
Harms Woods, Glenview / Skokie
Arguably the most underrated trail in Cook County. Dense canopy, soft dirt paths along the North Branch, and enough mileage to build a real long run without repeating yourself. It stays cooler than most spots when the heat is at its worst, which in July is not a small thing. If you want shaded, quiet, and close, Harms is your answer.
Linne Woods, Morton Grove
Right next door to Harms and connects seamlessly if you want to extend north along the North Branch corridor. Flat, forested, and a great option for easy recovery miles or the second half of a back-to-back long run weekend when your legs are already cooked and you just need to get the time on feet in.
Schiller Woods, Schiller Park
On the northwest side and way more accessible than people realize. Wooded paths, open meadow sections, enough variety to keep your brain from completely checking out on a long summer run. Good option when you’re on that side of the city and don’t want to lose 45 minutes in the car before you even start.
Palos Forest Preserve, Palos Hills
The gold standard for Cook County trail running. Over 40 miles of trail, rolling hills, and terrain that actually prepares you for a race. Palos in summer is fully leafed out and shaded enough to make the heat survivable. Get your long runs in here early in the season before August hits.
2026 heads up: the trails around Wolf Road Woods are closed August through December 2026. Plan your routes accordingly and check conditions before you head out.
Deer Grove Forest Preserve, Palatine
Worth the short drive outside Cook County. Real single-track, rolling terrain, and enough miles to get a legitimate long run in without looping the same stretch four times. If you’re training for a fall 25k or 50k, Deer Grove should be in your regular rotation. The terrain is closer to what you’ll race on than most of the flat stuff closer to the city.
A Few Things That Go Without Saying (But We’ll Say Them Anyway)
Go early. Like, embarrassingly early. The trails at 6am in July are a completely different experience than at 10am. One of them is hard but doable. The other is a punishment.
Bring more water than you think you need. Then bring more. There are no water stops out here.
Bug spray. Non-negotiable in the wooded sections unless you enjoy donating blood to the local mosquito population.
Slow down. Summer heat training is about time on feet, not pace. The fitness is happening even when it doesn’t feel like it. Trust the process, bank the miles, and remember what you’re training for.
Fall races are coming. Childish Nonsense, Backyard Nonsense, Timely Nonsense, they’re all on the calendar and they’re all going to be a great time. But they’re a lot more fun when you’ve put in the work.
Get out there this summer. We’ll see you at the start line.
CUSS Running | Chicago Trail Races & Coaching | Everyone Belongs
