Freeman Kame - Meagher Forest Preserve

Central Loop Trail via Railroad Prairie Trail

2.9 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 59 min

Central Loop Trail via Railroad Prairie Trail is a 2.9-mile out-and-back in Freeman Kame - Meagher Forest Preserve near Freeman, IL. It is mostly level, with 27 ft of elevation gain. It scores 28/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi889 – 925 ft2.9 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Railroad Prairie Trail 42.12584, -88.38923
Nearest town Freeman, IL

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Central Loop Trail via Railroad Prairie Trail

2.9 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 59 min

Elevation 888–925 ft

Out & Back · Freeman Kame - Meagher Forest Preserve

Trailhead: Railroad Prairie Trail · 42.12584, -88.38923

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:40 AM · sunset 6:56 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Railroad Prairie Trail, heading NW.
  2. 0.5 miTurn left, heading W.
  3. 0.6 miTurn right, heading W.
  4. 450 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  5. 450 ftBear right, heading W.
  6. 100 ftTurn left onto Central Loop Trail, heading S.
  7. 0.1 miReach Central Loop Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  8. 0.1 miTurn right, heading E.
  9. 100 ftBear left, heading NE.
  10. 450 ftTurn right, heading E.
  11. 450 ftTurn left, heading N.
  12. 0.6 miTurn right onto Railroad Prairie Trail, heading SE.
  13. 0.5 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

44% grass43% dirt13% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:40 AMSunset 6:56 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.8 mi in (~19 min). Leave by 6:17 PM for the 6:56 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:30 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Railroad Prairie Trail Trailhead