Explore the Outdoors!
Pottawatomie Park Photo courtesy of St. Charles Park District
PARKS
Engstrom Family Park
A favorite park among families, this beautiful area boasts a 1-mile walking/jogging trail, open athletic fields for soccer, a small baseball field, a large playground with a 50-foot zipline and restrooms. The site is also home to the second-largest picnic shelter in the district.
326 Millview Dr. – Batavia
Mt. St. Mary Park
Located in downtown St. Charles, this remarkable park has it all! Tennis courts, skate park, fishing, outdoor basketball courts, playgrounds, and trails! Pack a picnic and explore the magnificence. Enjoy the "Sculpture in the Park" display starting in spring.
Prairie Street, just east of Rt. 31 – St. Charles
Pottawatomie Park
Perched along the Fox River, the activities are endless at this park. Adventures include full and mini golf courses, fishing, tennis courts, indoor basketball courts, boat rentals, bike trails and much more!
8 North Ave. – St. Charles
Hawk's Hollow Playground at Peck Farm Park
Kids will love the exploration of Hawks Hollows, which aims to get children using their imaginations and senses to experience the smells, textures and wonders of the natural world.
Note: The playground’s water features will turn off for the season on October 1
4038 Kaneville Rd. – Geneva, IL
Wheeler Park
A great community park offering miniature golf, disc golf, baseball, soccer, tennis and a large playground providing fun for all ages!
101 North St. – Geneva
BIKING/RUNNING TRAILS
Did you know biking is the official activity in the state of Illinois? Geneva Park District offers 69 miles of trails, and Pottawatamie Park offers a Bike Station with amenities like a water-bottle fill station, benches, bike repair center, and bike path information. If you are looking to join a cycling group, Fox Valley Bicycle and Ski Club would be a good place to start, or check in with The Bike Rack, Sammy’s Bikes (St. Charles), Mill Race Cyclery (Geneva), or Prairie Path Cycles (Batavia) for guidance to the right group and races in the area.
If you prefer to run the trails, there are also many groups to connect with in the area. Check out Fox River Trail Runners, Geneva Running Outfitters and Dick Pond Athletics in St. Charles, who all have groups for every level and desire.
The two favorite trails amongst locals are the Fox River Trail and Great Western Trail
Fox River Trail
This scenic path runs for more than 40 miles along the Fox River from Algonquin to Oswego but can be picked up in St. Charles, Geneva or Batavia. There are plenty of places along the river to stop and explore, and be sure to plan on grabbing food and drinks as well!
Great Western Trail
Running east/west, the western segment of the trail spans 17 miles with access in LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles and off of Old State Road in Sycamore. There is a lovely combination of tree coverage and open areas providing an enjoyable ride on this path.
HIDDEN GEM
Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve
Enter at a large wood-carved statue of Black Hawk, a Sauk leader and namesake for the Black Hawk War of 1832 (also the historical memorial site of unknown soldiers of General Scott's Army) and then head south on the Riverbend Bike Trail to discover an 8-foot-high natural waterfall, as it cascades and pools into a clear rippling creek.
35W003 Route 31 – South Elgin
The Fox Valley has so many great outdoor activities available beyond what we have listed, such as fishing, camping, snow-based activities and ice skating. Be sure to check the websites listed here to find all our area has to offer, plus additional information on trails, forest preserves and parks.
Batavia Park District: bataviaparks.org
Geneva Park District: genevaparks.org
St. Charles Park District: stcparks.org
Step Outside: stepoutside.org
Kane Country Forest Preserve: kaneforest.com
Fox River Bike Trails: foxriverbiketrails.com
Trail Link: traillink.com