Bikeways and Trails
DuPage
County is proud to be the home of one of the first successful rail-to-trail
conversions in the United States - the Illinois Prairie Path. The
foresight of the volunteers involved in the 1963 transfer of railroad right-of-way to DuPage County led to a nation-wide
rail-to-trail movement and an outstanding legacy for County
residents. Today, DuPage is home to more than
500 miles of bikeways and trails that are, together, an integral part of our county's identity.
The links on the left side of this web page will bring you to our informational pages, where you can learn more about the regional trail experiences that DuPage County offers for its residents and visitors. Follow the links on the right side of the page to interact with any ongoing projects or plan your trip on our trails network.
DuPage Trails Are Open
The County's trails are currently open to recreational users. Even as we transition into Phase 4 of Governor Pritzker's reopening guidelines, please help us continue to fight the spread of COVID-19 by socially distancing while on the trails. Maintain a minimum of six feet of separation between yourself and other trail users at all times. And please be courteous of strangers' wishes to socially distance as well.
In collaboration with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, the Division of Transportation and the GIS Division have created a trail mapping application that enables users to actively navigate the County's trail system. Try out the app!
Gear Up: Upcoming Events
July 13-17: Elgin Branch Bridge over IL 59 closed: the bridge over IL 59 will be closed for repairs for the duration of five days. Please do not attempt to cross IL 59 on your own, as there are no accommodations for bicyclists or pedestrians at the intersection. Please be courteous to the crews resurfacing the bridge.
UPDATE: Aurora Branch closure extended through July 24th: Aurora Branch Underpass at I-88 is closed for construction. We ask for your continued patience as the I-88 bridge work is completed and a new tunnel is put into place. A signed detour has been provided and can be viewed in the DuPage Trails App on the "Bike Trails" tab. The Illinois Prairie Path Not-for-Profit has published a detailed description of the detour in their February 2020 newsletter, which can be downloaded at this link.
Have you seen the Great Western Trail extension in West Chicago, yet? Or, how about the Taylor Street Tunnel underneath the Union-Pacific Railroad in Glen Ellyn?