McDowell Grove Forest Preserve

West Branch DuPage River Trail

2.1 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 42 min

West Branch DuPage River Trail is a 2.1-mile out-and-back in McDowell Grove Forest Preserve near Naperville, IL. 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 mi682 – 699 ft2.2 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: West Branch DuPage River Trail 41.78394, -88.18021
Nearest town Naperville, IL

Directions

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West Branch DuPage River Trail

2.1 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 42 min

Elevation 684–699 ft

Out & Back · McDowell Grove Forest Preserve

Trailhead: West Branch DuPage River Trail · 41.78394, -88.18021

Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:40 AM · sunset 6:54 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on West Branch DuPage River Trail, heading NE.
  2. 0.9 miContinue straight onto Dupage County Regional Trail, heading NW.
  3. 50 ftBear left, heading N.
  4. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  5. 250 ftSharp right onto West Branch DuPage River Trail, heading NW.
  6. 150 ftReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
  7. 150 ftSharp left, heading NE.
  8. 250 ftTurn left, heading E.
  9. 50 ftBear right onto Dupage County Regional Trail, heading E.
  10. 50 ftContinue straight onto West Branch DuPage River Trail, heading W.
  11. 0.9 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

90% gravel4% paved6% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:40 AMSunset 6:54 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.5 mi in (~12 min). Leave by 6:22 PM for the 6:54 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:21 PM — 1 min before dark.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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