Trail System Maps

Bikers, joggers and walkers can enjoy over 100 miles of paved bicycle trails and over 200 miles of multi-use trails in the Forest Preserve. Please take note of our Rules of the Trail before your visit.

Following is information regarding each of our trails, including detailed maps of each trail, available in Adobe® Acrobat™ PDF format for downloading:

• Arie Crown Forest Trail System
  
  
• Burnham Greenway Trail System
  
  
• Busse Woods Bicycle Trail
  
  
• Centennial and I & M Canal Trail System
  
  
• Deer Grove Trail System
  
  
• Des Plaines Trail System
  
  
• North Branch Trail System
  
  
• Palos Trail System
  
  
• Poplar Creek Trail System
  
  
• Sag Valley Trail System
  
  
• Salt Creek Trail System
  
  
• Thorn Creek Trail System
  
  
• Tinley Creek Trail System
  
  

Bikeway Classifications

CLASS I BIKEWAY

A Class I Bikeway is a completely separated right-of-way designed to be shared with pedestrians. The standard pavement width of a Class I Bikeway is eight (8) feet. The typical right-of-way width is ten (10) feet.

Class I Bikeways are considered ideal. They are usually located on publicly owned land such as parks, school sites, watersheds, or road right-of-way.

CLASS II BIKEWAY

Class II Bikeways are four foot wide on-street right-of-way designated for the use of bicycles. Class II paths are designated by a painted line on the roadway pavement on each side of the street. Parking is usually allowed. Class II bikeways are best suited for streets that have a minimum width of 32 feet, with each traffic lane measuring at least twelve (12) feet. The standard bicycle lane width measured from the front edge of curb to the painted boundary should be four (4) feet.

CLASS III BIKEWAY

On a Class III bikeway, the cyclist shares the street with motor vehicles and the route is designated only by signs. Class III Bikeways are suited for roads less than 28 feet wide in areas with light traffic.

Trail Rules

All Trails:

1. Trails are open from sunrise to sunset.
   
2. Motor vehicles prohibited.
   
3. RIDE/WALK ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRAIL.
   
4. Give warning before passing other trail users.
   
5. Obey all stop signs.
   
6. Speed training or racing is NOT PERMITTED. Violators will be ticketed.
   
7. Keep dogs leashed and in control.
   
8. Please do not litter. Pack out more than you pack in.
   
9. Helmets are required for all bicycle riders 14 years and younger (effective Jan. 1, 2005).
   
10. In case of an emergency - call 911.
    

Paved Trails:

1. Stay in your own lane.
   
2. WALK all bicycles across overpasses where designated.
   

Unpaved Trails:

1. Bicyclists and equestrians must stay on the designated trail. No off-trail riding.
   
2. No off-trail riding.
   
3. Bicyclists must yield to hikers and equestrians.
   
4. Hikers must yield to equestrians.
   
5. Do not use trails when muddy.
   

Trail Signage:

New Trail System Markers

Click here to view the new signs that would be found on the trail systems. ("FPDtrail_signage.pdf" - 730K)

Other Trail System Markers

You may find these marker signs as well on the trails. They should also be obeyed, where applicable:

1. Trail Confidence Marker — These 4' x 4' gray markers identify the designated trail system at 1/4 mile intervals. Stay on the designated trail.
   
2. Trail Closure Marker — These 4' x 4' orange markers identify non-designated trails which are closed.
   

Before Planning a Special Event

Permission is required for all special events to be held on the bicycle trail involving more than 25 persons. For further information, call the FPDCC at (708) 366-9420.