Woods Walk

Woods Walk is back for another year, so get your hiking shoes ready

Our annual fall walking challenge is back for its 22nd year, and once again this year we've made participating as easy as ever with the Goosechase app.

This year’s 10 Woods Walk trails are as follows: 

• Forsythe Woods Nature Trail at Forked Creek Preserve: 0.5 mile
• Evans-Judge Nature Trail at Evans-Judge Preserve: 1.5 miles
• Spring Creek Greenway Trail at Messenger Marsh: 2.2 miles
• Plum Creek Greenway Trail at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve: 2.2 miles
• Hickory Creek Bikeway and LaPorte Road Nature Trail at Hickory Creek Preserve: 2.2 miles
• Wauponsee Glacial Trail at Sugar Creek Preserve: 2.6 miles
• Normantown Trail at Vermont Cemetery Preserve: 2.9 miles
• Rock Run Greenway Trail at Hammel Woods: 3.2 miles
• Old Plank Road Trail — Washington Street Access: 3.2 miles
• Spring Creek Greenway Trail at Hadley Valley — Bruce Road Access: 2.2 miles*. This trail will be temporarily rerouted beginning Tuesday, Sept. 10, while part of the trail is closed. The temporary route is a 1.6-mile hike and begins from the same starting point. Signage will be up indicating the trail is closed, and the temporary route will be clearly marked with signage.

You can get more information about Woods Walk and this year's selected trails from our interactive GIS map.

People who complete seven of the 10 Woods Walk trails before Nov. 30 will receive a 2024 Woods Walk hiking medallion. The deadline to submit a paper copy of the completed travel log is Sunday, Dec. 8.

How to participate

Woods Walkers can track their progress in one of two ways. Simply download the Goosechase app either on iOS or Android devices and join the 2024 Will County Woods Walk Challenge to get started. The app will have all the information you need to complete the 10 required hikes. This year, there is no online form for submitting your completed walks; the Goosechase app is the online submission component.

If you use the app, remember to check in at the designated spot for each trail to mark it completed in Goosechase. Hike completions are reviewed weekly. After completion of your seventh trail has been recorded, you will be contacted via email to select whether you want to receive your medallion via mail or by visiting a Forest Preserve visitor center. 

As in past years, walkers can pick up a travel log at one of four Forest Preserve visitor centers: Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon, Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville, Plum Creek Nature Center in Crete Township or Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet. It also can be downloaded online. You can track your progress in the booklet's travel log, which must be submitted by Sunday, Dec. 8, to receive the commemorative medallion. You can bring the completed back page of your 2024 Hiking Guide or digital printout to any of of the above visitor centers to receive your medallion. You can also mail the back page of the completed 2024 Hiking Guide or digital printout to Woods Walk c/o Sugar Creek Administration Center, 17540 W. Laraway Road, Joliet, IL 60433. Mailed submissions must be received by Sunday, Dec. 8.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Getting started

All you need to get started on your 2024 Woods Walk adventure is a good pair of walking or hiking shoes, but we have a few suggestions to help you enjoy your experience and make the most of the walks. 

• Dress for the weather. Fall can feel more like summer or winter, so be prepared for the weather when you head out on a hike. Check the forecast and dress appropriately. Consider layers if you are walking in the morning or evening, when temperatures can rise or fall quickly. And don’t forget the sunscreen. 
• Bring plenty of water. No matter the temperature, it’s important to stay hydrated, even on short hikes. If you don’t want to carry a water bottle, look for one you can clip onto your clothing or a backpack. At the very least, make sure you have water waiting in your car.
• Bring your phone or camera and snap photos along the way to document your experience. If you have binoculars, bring them along so you can get a better look at the birds, insects and more you see in the distance. If you’re trying to learn more about the natural world, consider bringing a field guide — on birds, insects, wildflowers, etc. — to help you uncover more about what you are seeing in front of you.
• Have a plan and share it. If at all possible, don’t walk alone. If you are doing a Woods Walk hike alone, let someone know where you are going and when to expect you back. Have your phone with you when you walk, and make sure not to leave any valuables in your car.

Hit the trails

Walkers must complete seven of the 10 Woods Walk trails to complete the challenge and receive a commemorative medallion. Here’s a closer look at two of the trails you can choose to hike.

Evans-Judge Nature Trail Loop

The nature trail at this hidden gem of a preserve will take you along the banks of the Kankakee River and also through the sandy soils that are the hallmark feature of this part of the county. As you walk, keep an eye out for late-blooming wildflowers and the first signs of the change of color on the leaves above.

Forsythe Woods Nature Trail at Forked Creek

If you don’t have much time or aren’t up for a long walk, you can still make progress toward completing Woods Walk on this short, 0.5-mile hike at Forked Creek Preserve. The grass trail will take you into the woods, giving you a chance to see firsthand how the seasons are changing. The quiet here will allow you to hear the sounds of nature all around you.

Funding for Woods Walk is provided by The Nature Foundation of Will County.