Forest Preserve Opens Solar-Lit Trails For Winter Season

LAKE COUNTY, IL — With small solar lights to guide the way, hikers, skiers and snowshoers can get some evening exercise along the 1.3-mile fitness trail at Old School Forest Preserve in Libertyville, and along a 1.65-mile hilly section of the Millennium Trail adjacent to the Winter Sports Area at Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda, according to the Lake County Forest Preserve website. Though regular preserve hours are 6:30 am to sunset, the illuminated trails and adjacent parking lots will remain open after sunset and until 9 p.m. daily through March 8, 2020.

Bicycle and equestrian traffic is not allowed on the lighted trails after sunset. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed.

To access the lighted trails, park at Lakewood's Winter Sports Area located on the east side of Fairfield Road just south of Route 176, or at Old School's main entrance lot located on the east side of St. Mary's Road just south of Route 176. Lake County Forest Preserve Rangers regularly patrol the areas.

Trail maps for the Old School Forest Preserve and Winter Sports Area at Lakewood Forest Preserveare available online.