Everything Mahomet’s Guide to Enjoying the Trails at Lake of the Woods
- 20 hours ago
- 3 min read
The Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve boasts 873 acres of natural landscape along the Sangamon River, right here in Mahomet. The park facilitates a wide array of outdoor activities, from fishing and boating in the lake, to running, hiking and biking along the trails, or gathering and picnicking throughout the area. LOW also includes the Lake of the Woods Golf Course, the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden, and the Museum of the Grand Prairie.
Below, we share our perspective on how to make the most of the trails and greenspaces at LOW, whether you are an avid runner, busy parent with kids in tow, or relaxed walker. Whatever activity you try, be sure to start your plan with the Champaign County Forest Preserve District’s authoritative map, which marks the named trails and paths, restrooms, parking lots, shelters, and other resources within LOW.
Our Suggested Running Route:
The paved bike path at Lake of the Woods provides over 2 miles of running route, which is easy to navigate if you enter from Lombard Rd (between the Museum of the Grand Prairie and the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden), Lake of the Woods Road (north entrance), or Prairieview Road. This route can be extended by another ~1.25 miles if you choose to cross Lombard Road (Hwy 47) and complete the bike path through Buffalo Trace Prairie. If you would prefer to enter LOW via Lake of the Woods Road at the Main Entrance, you can run along the paved street or connecting paths such as the Elks Lake Trail or Flood Plain Trail. These will ultimately meet up with the paved bike path.
Our Suggested Walking Route:
One of our favorite walking routes, with or without a stroller, dogs, or kids on bicycles, is on the paved bike path along the Sangamon River at LOW. Park your car at the lot located on Trillium Drive at the top of the Floodplain Trail and begin your walk at the trail entrance marked by a “no parking” sign, neighboring the Lake of the Woods Golf Course. You can walk about 2.5 total miles out and back, though of course you can turn around at any point. This walk includes a spot to stop and catch an elevated view of the river, as well as other spots to stop and read informational signage. There are benches along the walk if you need to take a rest.
Our Suggested Walk & Activity Combination
If you have kids, sometimes it helps to have a reward awaiting you at the end of the walk. Try parking your car at the Covered Bridge and then enter the paved bike path a few steps down the road. You will have about half a mile of paved path suitable for strollers and/or bicycles, ending at the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden. Walk through the garden and visit the koi fish (bring cheerios!), enjoy seasonal landscaping, play at the sandpit, or eat lunch at one of the many picnic tables. Yes, you will ultimately have to walk back to your car—or have one adult run back and bring the car over via Iris Road—but we love a family fitness adventure with a play break.
...and a Bonus Toddler-Friendly Walking Activity
You won’t exactly rack up steps with this one, but did you know that Lake of the Woods has a Storywalk Trail? Park at The Museum of the Grand Prairie and enter a mowed grass path to read a storybook broken across 12-20 stopping points. This path is less wooded than others and can get quite sunny, but the mowed path is relatively stroller friendly. It takes about 15-20 minutes to complete with toddler-paced stops. Once you complete the story, you can keep walking and meet the road at the end of the mowed path or turn back around to return to the Museum of the Grand Prairie.
Other Tips for Lake of the Woods
Accessible restrooms are located at Museum of the Grand Prairie, in the Rayburn-Purnell Woods, near the Lake of the Woods Golf Course on Trillium Drive, near the Sycamore Hollow Shelter on Senna Drive, at the HI-Tower, at the Elks Lake Pavillion, at the Lake of the Woods Pavillion, and at the Lakeview Shelter.
Have you spotted the extra-large Adirondack chair? This icon of LOW (of which there are a few) moves around the park and Buffalo Trace Prairie. It is always a fun surprise to see where it winds up – and makes for a fun photo op!
Consider visiting and climbing the 6-story HI-Tower and Carillon for views of Lake of the Woods and town. Read about the history of this structure here.
Read about the Main Playground at LOW in our previous post here.