Overview Trail Facts Trail Etiquette Trail Uses Prairie Trail including the • The Hebron Trail is built on the former Kenosha • Park in Conservation District lots or appropriate Division Railroad that carried passengers, mail street locations along the trail. Hebron Trail & Ridgefield Trace and freight from Kenosha, WI to Rockford, IL which ran from 1860 until its final voyage in 1939. • Leash all pets and remove any animal waste.

• Glacial Park is home to the Lost Valley Visitor • Be courteous to other trail users. Center. This 3,400-acre site also lies within Stay to the right side of the trail. Ride single file the boundaries of the Hackmatack National when in groups. Move to the shoulder if you Sites open sunrise to sunset. Wildlife Refuge. have to stop. Bicycles yield to pedestrians. Algonquin to Ringwood (19 miles) • Sterne’s Woods (Owned by Crystal Lake Park • Ride at controlled, safe speeds. Announce your This paved section provides recreational District) contains Wingate Prairie Nature intentions to pass by saying, “passing on your left.” Preserve and is the most wooded and hilly section opportunities for pedestrians, bicyclists, of the trail. • Approach horses slowly and allow extra room. roller bladers and cross-country skiers. Never pass a horse on a bridge. While most of the trail is relatively flat, between • Diverse City Prairie, located between Virginia Lorraine Ave. and Hillside Rd. in Crystal Lake Whether it’s a morning trek, a family weekend ride Road and Route 14, was planted with native • Remain on the trail. (through Sterne’s Woods) the trail is quite hilly. or a part of your weekly fitness regime, hike, pedal prairie plants, demonstrating the beauty Show respect for Ringwood to Wisconsin line (7 miles) or roll along over 45 miles of trails offered throughout of McHenry County’s original plant heritage adjacent property the county that serve not only as recreational This original rail ballast/gravel trail offers a by students from School District 47. owners and natural amenities, but as valuable resources that link travel route for hikers, bicyclists, horseback areas by staying communities, schools and neighborhoods. Cycling • Larsen Prairie is a 20-acre site featuring prairie riders and snowmobilers. on trail surfaces. is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, experience and fen plant communities, which offer a display Be cautious of Prairie Trail to Hebron Trail (6.3 miles) nature up close and get some exercise. The Prairie of colors throughout the seasons. wildlife both on Prior to reaching the Wisconsin border, the Trail stretches 26 miles from Algonquin to just shy • Between the Kane County line and Route 14 and off the trail. trail connects to the Hebron Trail, westbound of the Wisconsin State Line and connects eight in Crystal Lake, the Prairie Trail is built on the through North Branch Conservation Area. McHenry County communities in between, including former and Northwestern rail corridor. • Ensure your equipment is in working order. Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, Crystal Lake, Prairie Grove, Ridgefield Trace (7.5 miles) Carry supplies for your personal safety and comfort. Access trail at Walkup Rd. in Crystal Lake McHenry, McCullom Lake, Ringwood and Richmond. • The Prairie Trail crosses the Fox River in for 7.5 miles to Lake Ave. in Woodstock. The trail follows the former Chicago and Northwestern Algonquin on the original limestone pillars of the • Help keep your trails clean. rail line that ran from Kane County into Wisconsin. railroad bridge. South of Algonquin Rd. the trail Practice “Leave No Trace.” Deposit all litter then links to Kane County’s Fox River Trail. and waste in designated receptacles. There are several scenic and recreational stopping points along the Prairie Trail, including the Fox River • Long-distance cyclists and Larsen Prairie. Main access points are located have the option to pull-off Report concerns or suspicious activity north of Algonquin, along Main Street in Crystal Lake, and tent camp overnight at to a S.W.E.E.P. volunteer or call the District Main at Petersen Park in McHenry, and in Glacial Park north North Branch Conservation Office at (815) 338-6223, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. of Ringwood. The trail is opened daily, sunrise to sunset. Area, Richmond. April–

for a District police officer; after hours and 2,500 (RG) December. $10/tent. No formal From the Prairie Trail, users have access to over weekends contact a Conservation District Police McHenry County amenities, see website for officer through the McHenry County Sheriff's 12/2018 100 miles of trails including the Hebron Trail, guidelines. Call for a permit Department at (815) 338-2144. 815.338.6223 • MCCDistrict.org Conservation District Ridgefield Trace, the Fox River Trail, at least 7 days in advance; the Great Western Trail, and the Illinois Prairie Path.  (815) 338-6223. 815.338.6223 • MCCDistrict.org Done with the map? Recycle it by placing it back in the brochure holder for the next visitor. .5mi to state line/ 47 L 12 25.5mi to Kane Co. line HEBRON TRAI 173

173 N Prairie Trail – 26 miles link – 1.5 miles W E Hebron Trail – 4.8 miles Ridgefield Trace – 7.5 miles ↔↕ S

SYMBOLS KEY PRAIRIE TRAIL Parking Drinking Water 12 Restrooms Horseback riding (gravel surfaced sections) Shelter Tent camping — Picnic Area Overnight pull off for cyclists only, permit required

Information 20.5mi to Kane Co. line/ 5.5mi to state line Trail Highlights  North Branch Conservation Area

A 1.5 mile trail link connects

L

the Prairie Trail to the Hebron Trail. I A 18mi to Kane Co. line/

The oak savanna, sedge meadow, 8mi to state line wetland complex and winding R

banks of Nippersink Creek provide T

a home to numerous birds, butterflies, E l I a y

o

fish and wildflowers. R

R t I n o Fr

 Glacial Park Home to the A

Lost Valley Visitor Center, this 3,400 acre R site lies within the boundaries of the P Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge and includes prairie, savanna, marshes, kames and Nippersink Creek.

 Petersen Park Owned and managed by the City of McHenry, 14.5mi to Kane Co. line/ offering many recreational amenities. 11.5mi to state line

 Whispering Oaks Park L I Owned and managed by A the City of McHenry, this R park features Fort McHenry T playground and playing fields. E I R I WOODSTOCK A E. KimballAv e. R 31 P  Ridgefield Trace Access the trail at Walkup Rd. in Crystal Lake 47 for 7.5 miles to Lake Ave. in Woodstock.

 Sterne’s Woods Owned and managed by Crystal Lake 8.5mi to Kane Co. line/ Park District, the area contains 17.5mi to state line Wingate Prairie Illinois Nature Hillside Road Access Preserve. It is the most wooded Closed in Winter Sterne’s and hilly section of the trail. RIDGEFIELD Woods TRACE  Diverse City Prairie 176 Native prairie plants, demonstrating 176 the beauty of McHenry County’s original plant heritage.

 Larsen Prairie A 20-acre site featuring prairie and fen plant SYMBOLS KEY communities offering a display 14 of colors throughout the seasons. Parking Restrooms 14  Fox River The trail crosses Shelter 5mi to Kane Co. line/ Three Oaks the Fox River in Algonquin on the Picnic Area L 21mi to state line original limestone pillars of the Recreation Area I

railroad bridge. The trail then links Drinking Water A

R to Kane County’s Fox River Trail. Horseback riding (gravel surfaced sections) T

SYMBOLTent caSmping KEY — Overnight pull o for cyclists only

E

Parking I

R Restrooms I

Shelter A

R Picnic Area P Drinking Water Prairie Trail: 26 Miles Horseback riding (gravel surfaced sections) Hebron Trail: 5.5 Miles Tent camping — Overnight pull o for cyclists only North Branch trail link: 1.5 Miles Ridge eld Trace: 3.5 Miles 1.5mi to Kane Co. line/ 815.338.6223 • MCCDistrict.org 24.5mi to state line 0 .5 1 2 mi. PrairieTrail is mark Tredail: in .5 26mile Mileincrementss . Hebron Trail: 5.5 Miles North Branch trail link: 1.5 Miles Ridge eld Trace: 3.5 Miles

0 .5 1 2 mi. Trail is marked in .5 mile increments.