Forest Glen County Preserve

Big Woods Trail–Deer Meadow Trail, 3 sights

5.6 mi · ▲ 202 ft · 1 hr 58 min

Big Woods Trail–Deer Meadow Trail, 3 sights is a 5.6-mile out-and-back in Forest Glen County Preserve near Meeks, IL. It is mostly level, with 202 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 53/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi571 – 666 ft5.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Beech Grove Trail 40.00962, -87.55887
Nearest town Meeks, IL

Directions

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Big Woods Trail–Deer Meadow Trail, 3 sights

5.6 mi · ▲ 202 ft · 1 hr 58 min

Elevation 571–667 ft

Out & Back · Forest Glen County Preserve

Trailhead: Beech Grove Trail · 40.00962, -87.55887

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:37 AM · sunset 6:52 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Beech Grove Trail, heading SE.
  2. 0.2 miTurn right, heading NE.
  3. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Big Woods Trail, heading E.
  4. 2.1 miBear left onto Deer Meadow Trail, heading NE.
  5. 0.3 miReach Big Woods Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  6. 0.3 miBear right onto River Ridge Back Pack Trail, heading S.
  7. 2.1 miSharp left onto Big Woods Trail, heading N.
  8. 0.2 miTurn left onto Beech Grove Trail, heading W.
  9. 0.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

92% dirt8% paved

Weather

Sunrise 6:37 AMSunset 6:52 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.9 mi in (~23 min). Leave by 6:09 PM for the 6:52 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Beech Grove Trail Trailhead