AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Skokie Lagoons South

Erickson Woods–Skokie Lagoon #3, 5 sights

2.7 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 54 min

Erickson Woods–Skokie Lagoon #3, 5 sights is a 2.7-mile out-and-back in Skokie Lagoons South near Northfield, IL. The route passes Skokie Lagoon #1, Erickson Woods and Skokie Lagoon #3. It is mostly level, with 0 ft of elevation gain, and mostly gravel. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi620 – 630 ft3.3 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: North Branch Red Paved Trail 42.10247, -87.76447
Nearest town Northfield, IL
Google Maps Apple Maps

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Erickson Woods–Skokie Lagoon #3, 5 sights

2.7 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 54 min

Elevation 620–631 ft

Out & Back · Skokie Lagoons South

Trailhead: North Branch Red Paved Trail · 42.10247, -87.76447

Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:38 AM · sunset 6:52 PM

Transit-accessible: Happ & Mt. Pleasant stop 490 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading SW.
  2. 50 ftPass Skokie Lagoon #1.
  3. 50 ftPass Erickson Woods.
  4. 100 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  5. 350 ftContinue straight onto North Branch Yellow Unpaved Trail, heading N.
  6. 0.7 miContinue straight onto North Branch Red Paved Trail, heading W.
  7. 150 ftContinue straight onto North Branch Yellow Unpaved Trail, heading W.
  8. 50 ftContinue straight onto North Branch Red Paved Trail, heading W.
  9. 150 ftContinue straight onto North Branch Yellow Unpaved Trail, heading NW.
  10. 0.1 miContinue straight onto North Branch Red Paved Trail, heading NW.
  11. 50 ftContinue straight onto North Branch Yellow Unpaved Trail, heading NW.
  12. 100 ftContinue straight onto North Branch Red Paved Trail, heading NW.
  13. 50 ftPass Skokie Lagoon #3.
  14. 50 ftContinue straight onto North Branch Yellow Unpaved Trail, heading NW.
  15. 50 ftBear right, heading NW.
  16. 50 ftBear left onto Tower Road Boat Launch Access Road, heading NW.
  17. 250 ftContinue straight onto North Branch Red Paved Trail, heading NW.
  18. 250 ftContinue straight onto Tower Road Boat Launch Access Road, heading NW.
  19. 350 ftBear right onto North Branch Red Paved Trail, heading NW.
  20. 50 ftContinue straight onto North Branch Black Paved Trail, heading NW.
  21. 450 ftSharp right, heading NW.
  22. 0.1 miReach Erickson Woods, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  23. 0.2 miContinue straight onto North Branch Red Paved Trail, heading S.
  24. 50 ftBear left onto Tower Road Boat Launch Access Road, heading S.
  25. 350 ftContinue straight onto North Branch Red Paved Trail, heading W.
  26. 250 ftContinue straight onto Tower Road Boat Launch Access Road, heading N.
  27. 250 ftBear right, heading N.
  28. 50 ftBear left onto North Branch Yellow Unpaved Trail, heading NW.
  29. 50 ftContinue straight onto North Branch Red Paved Trail, heading NW.
  30. 50 ftContinue straight onto North Branch Yellow Unpaved Trail, heading N.
  31. 100 ftContinue straight onto North Branch Red Paved Trail, heading N.
  32. 50 ftContinue straight onto North Branch Yellow Unpaved Trail, heading NE.
  33. 0.1 miContinue straight onto North Branch Red Paved Trail, heading W.
  34. 150 ftContinue straight onto North Branch Yellow Unpaved Trail, heading W.
  35. 50 ftContinue straight onto North Branch Red Paved Trail, heading W.
  36. 150 ftContinue straight onto North Branch Yellow Unpaved Trail, heading S.
  37. 0.7 miTurn left, heading E.
  38. 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

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

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/erickson-woods-skokie-lagoon-3-out-back-5-sights

Trail surface

65% gravel23% paved10% grass2% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:38 AMSunset 6:52 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.3 mi in (~31 min). Leave by 6:01 PM for the 6:52 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: Happ & Mt. Pleasant stop 490 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Hikes near Northfield, Illinois