AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Forest Preserve District of Cook County

Mary Mix McDonald Woods–Chicago Botanic Gardens Beach, 3 beaches

3.2 mi · ▲ 28 ft · 1 hr 5 min

Mary Mix McDonald Woods–Chicago Botanic Gardens Beach, 3 beaches is a 3.2-mile out-and-back in Forest Preserve District of Cook County near Northwood Edens, IL. The route passes Chicago Botanic Gardens Beach and Mary Mix McDonald Woods. It is mostly level, with 28 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi633 – 686 ft3.4 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Chicago Botanic Gardens Access Road 42.15157, -87.78596
Nearest town Northwood Edens, IL
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Mary Mix McDonald Woods–Chicago Botanic Gardens Beach, 3 beaches

3.2 mi · ▲ 28 ft · 1 hr 5 min

Elevation 634–684 ft

Out & Back · Forest Preserve District of Cook County

Trailhead: Chicago Botanic Gardens Access Road · 42.15157, -87.78596

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

No dogs on part of this route · Transit-accessible: Lake Cook & Turnbull Woods (Chicago Botanic Garden) stop 90 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on North Branch Blue Paved Trail, heading NW.
  2. 50 ftPass Chicago Botanic Gardens Beach.
  3. 50 ftPass Mary Mix McDonald Woods.
  4. 50 ftContinue straight onto Chicago Botanic Gardens Access Road, heading NE.
  5. 50 ftBear right onto North Branch Blue Paved Trail, heading NE.
  6. 1.7 miReach Mary Mix McDonald Woods, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  7. 1.7 miBear left onto Chicago Botanic Gardens Access Road, heading SW.
  8. 50 ftContinue straight onto North Branch Blue Paved Trail, heading SW.
  9. 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/mary-mix-mcdonald-woods-chicago-botanic-gardens-beach-out-back-3-beaches

Trail surface

55% gravel39% paved5% boardwalk1% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:38 AMSunset 6:52 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.6 mi in (~40 min). Leave by 5:52 PM for the 6:52 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:46 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • No dogs on part of this route
  • Transit-accessible: Lake Cook & Turnbull Woods (Chicago Botanic Garden) stop 90 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Hikes near Northwood Edens, Illinois