Chicago Botanic Gardens
Managed by Chicago Horticultural Society
101 acres4.9 mi of trail
Merlin Waterside Terrace
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lotWebsite ↗
AOutdoors
Outdoors in Northfield Township
Northfield Township has 58 miles of mapped trails, 1.7 for every square mile of land
91% of residents live within a half mile of a park. The biggest trail networks: Chicago Botanic Gardens (4.9 mi), Somme Woods (4 mi), Gallery Park (2.7 mi). 9% of Northfield Township’s land is conserved, about 1,943 acres.
Ahead of 87% of U.S. towns · #116 of 768 in Illinois. What drives it
Conserved land
9%
1,943 acres · of 34.3 sq mi of land
Trails
58 mi
1.7 per sq mi of land
Park land
1,335 ac
15 acres per 1,000 residents
Near a park
91%
of residents within ½ mile
Bike routes
40 mi
2.4 mi lanes · 37 mi paths
Lakes & rivers
15
1 beach · 8 boat launches
What kind of outdoors town is Northfield Township?
Read from the map. The page puts what stands out first.
Outdoors grade
How much outdoors does Northfield Township have?
On conserved land, trails, park land and how close residents live to a park, Northfield Township is ahead of 87% of U.S. towns, #116 of 768 in Illinois. All four inputs are above most U.S. towns; trail miles rank highest, park acres per resident lowest.
A
OutdoorsA character grade: shown, never part of Northfield Township’s overall grade.
Conserved land9% of the land · typical IL town 4% · U.S. 4%B+Trails1.7 miles of mapped trail per square mile of land (58 mi) · IL 0.3 · U.S. 0.4APark land15 acres of park per 1,000 residents (1,335 acres) · IL 15 · U.S. 13BParks close to home91% of residents within a half mile of a park · IL 88% · U.S. 72%A−
All U.S. towns we grade (21,298)Ahead of 87%
LessMore
Illinois towns of 2,500+ (768)Ahead of 85%
How sure. Graded on any three of the four inputs instead, the letter would range from A− to A. Trails and many small parks come from OpenStreetMap, mapped by volunteers, so coverage varies from town to town; the half mile is a straight line from each census block, so a river or highway in the way isn’t counted against it.
PAD-US, OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors), Census 2025 Gazetteer and 2020 blocks; details in Sources below. How TownRatings grades the outdoors →
The map
Conserved land, trails & bike routes
Tap a number to zoom to a park. Tap a layer to hide it.
Easements protect land from building but are usually private.© OpenStreetMap contributors · USGS PAD-US
Places to walk
Pick a walk
The longest trail network is Chicago Botanic Gardens, with 4.9 miles. Directions go to the nearest trailhead or public parking.
Somme Woods
Managed by Forest Preserve District of Cook County
262 acres4 mi of trail
North Branch (green) Trail, (north section)
Dogs on leash
Directionsto the trailheadWebsite ↗
Gallery Park
Managed by Glenview Park District
141 acres2.7 mi of trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lotWebsite ↗
Kennicott Grove
Managed by Glenview Park District
200 acres2.5 mi of trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lotWebsite ↗
Lake Avenue Woods Preserves
Managed by Forest Preserve District of Cook County
277 acres2 mi of trail
Little Fort TrailGrove Portage TrailGreen Bay TrailRiver Trail Nature Center Brown Unpaved+1
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the trailhead
Sunset Ridge Woods
Managed by Forest Preserve District of Cook County
142 acres1.6 mi of trail
North Branch Blue Unpaved Trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the trailhead
Wood Oaks Green Park
Managed by Northbrook Park District
58 acres1.4 mi of trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the parking lotWebsite ↗
Blue Star Memorial Woods Preserve
Managed by Forest Preserve District of Cook County
145 acres1.3 mi of trail
North Branch Yellow Unpaved Trail
Dog rules not recorded
Directionsto the trailhead
All 60 parks & preserves
Chicago Botanic Gardens101 acres · 4.9 mi of trail · Chicago Horticultural Society
DirectionsSomme Woods262 acres · 4 mi of trail · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsGallery Park141 acres · 2.7 mi of trail · Glenview Park District
DirectionsKennicott Grove200 acres · 2.5 mi of trail · Glenview Park District
DirectionsLake Avenue Woods Preserves277 acres · 2 mi of trail · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsSunset Ridge Woods142 acres · 1.6 mi of trail · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsWood Oaks Green Park58 acres · 1.4 mi of trail · Northbrook Park District
DirectionsBlue Star Memorial Woods Preserve145 acres · 1.3 mi of trail · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsHarms Woods Nature Preserve40 acres · 1.3 mi of trail · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsWatersmeet Woods147 acres · 1.2 mi of trail · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsWillow Park42 acres · 1 mi of trail · Northfield Park District
DirectionsCommunity Park West93 acres · 0.9 mi of trail · Glenview Park District
DirectionsKent Fuller Air Station Prairie37 acres · 0.9 mi of trail · Glenview Park District
DirectionsCamp Pine Woods Preserve697 acres · 0.8 mi of trail · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsSkokie Lagoons North126 acres · 0.8 mi of trail · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsSkokie Lagoons Central170 acres · 0.7 mi of trail · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsSkokie Lagoons South71 acres · 0.6 mi of trail · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsVillage Green Park9 acres · 0.6 mi of trail · Northbrook Park District
DirectionsTheodore G. Munz S.J. Campus61 acres · 0.5 mi of trail · Loyola Academy
DirectionsTechny Prairie Park and Fields101 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Northbrook Park District
DirectionsStonegate Park10 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Northbrook Park District
DirectionsWilliamsburg Square Park6 acres · 0.4 mi of trail · Northbrook Park District
DirectionsRoosevelt Park9 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Glenview Park District
DirectionsHawthorne Glen Park9 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Glenview Park District
DirectionsCoast Guard Park4 acres · 0.3 mi of trail
DirectionsJudy Beck Park4 acres · 0.3 mi of trail · Glenview Park District
Chipilly Woods132 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsHarms Woods Preserves50 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsMeadowhill Park29 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Northbrook Park District
DirectionsSleepy Hollow Park6 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Glenview Park District
DirectionsJennings Park5 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Glenview Park District
Clarkson Park3 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Northfield Park District
DirectionsGlenbrook Countryside Park2 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
Jackman Park2 acres · 0.2 mi of trail · Glenview Park District
DirectionsNature Play Garden1 acres · 0.2 mi of trail
DirectionsSomme Prairie Grove Nature Preserve85 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsFlick Park38 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Glenview Park District
DirectionsNorthbrook Sports Complex22 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Northbrook Park District
Catherine W. Crowley Park10 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Glenview Park District
DirectionsWescott Park8 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Northbrook Park District
DirectionsCrestwood Park4 acres · 0.1 mi of trail · Northbrook Park District
DirectionsAllison Woods Preserve170 acres · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsForest Preserve District of Cook County166 acres · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsWillow-Sanders Preserve154 acres · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsDam Number 1 Woods Preserve73 acres · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsPortwine Preserve31 acres · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
Fox Meadow Park12 acres · Northfield Park District
DirectionsIndian Ridge Park12 acres · Northbrook Park District
DirectionsSwenson Park10 acres · Glenview Park District
DirectionsKohl's Children Museum8 acres
Cole Park8 acres · Glenview Park District
DirectionsThomas J. Richardson Park6 acres · Glenview Park District
DirectionsIndian Trail Park6 acres · Glenview Park District
DirectionsGlenbrook North High School Prairie Nature Preserve5 acres
Countryside Park5 acres · Glenview Park District
Tall Trees Park4 acres · Glenview Park District
Estates Tot Lot4 acres
Dam Number 2 Woods3 acres · Forest Preserve District of Cook County
DirectionsGreenfield Park3 acres · Northbrook Park District
Greenview Park2 acres · Northbrook Park District
Who protects it
1,943 conserved acres
9% of Northfield Township’s land. Who manages Northfield Township’s conserved land, from the USGS Protected Areas Database. Approximate, because parcels can overlap.
Town or city695 ac
Regional agency579 ac
Private owners419 ac
State conservation321 ac
State natural resources22 ac
County1 ac
Local Park · 784 acPrivate Park · 358 acLocal Recreation Area · 307 acConservation Easement · 261 acState Conservation Area · 124 ac
Good to know
Conserved doesn’t always mean open to visitors. 249 acres are conservation easements, usually private land. The walks above are places people visit.
The biggest protected parcels
| Parcel (PAD-US) | Managed by | Acres | Public access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golf Course Private Park | Private owners | 206 | Open |
| Sportsman's Country Club Local Recreation Area | Town or city | 201 | Open |
| Green Acres Country Club Private Park | Private owners | 152 | Open |
| Gallery Park Local Park | Town or city | 142 | Open |
| Kennicott's Grove State Conservation Area | Town or city | 122 | Open |
| The Cafe at Glenview Park Golf Club Local Recreation Area | Town or city | 106 | Open |
| Techny Prairie Park And Fields Local Park | Regional agency | 104 | Open |
| Community Park West Local Park | Regional agency | 94 | Open |
| Loyola Academy Athletic Fields Local Park | Private owners | 59 | Open |
| Wood Oaks Green Park Local Park | Regional agency | 41 | Open |
5 smaller protected places aren’t shown.
Things to do
111 places to go in Northfield Township
Beaches, playgrounds, peaks, falls and more. Pick a kind.
Beaches in Northfield Township
1 beach without a name on the map. Tap “Show all on map” to see it.
Public pools in Northfield Township
4 public pools without a name on the map. Tap “Show all on map” to see them.
Playgrounds in Northfield Township
Climbing LogsIn Nature Play Garden
DirectionsFarm Adventure Area
DirectionsLyon School Playground
DirectionsPeninsula Playground
DirectionsRiver Trails Nature PlaygroundIn Lake Avenue Woods Preserves
DirectionsSplash PadIn Gallery Park
DirectionsSplash PadIn Clarkson Park
Directions63 playgrounds are on OpenStreetMap in all; the list shows named ones from the first 30.
Dog parks in Northfield Township
Beck Lake Dog ParkIn Camp Pine Woods Preserve
DirectionsCommunity Bark WestIn Community Park West
DirectionsNorthbrook Dog Park (all dog area) at Coast Guard ParkIn Coast Guard Park
DirectionsNorthbrook Dog Park (small dog area) at Coast Guard ParkIn Coast Guard Park
DirectionsBoat launches in Northfield Township
Allison Woods Canoe LandingIn Lake Avenue Woods Preserves
DirectionsBeck Lake Boat LaunchIn Camp Pine Woods Preserve
DirectionsGallery Park Boat LaunchFee · In Gallery Park
DirectionsTower Road Accessible Boat LaunchIn Skokie Lagoons South
DirectionsPlus 4 boat launches without a name on the map.
Fishing spots in Northfield Township
Tower Road Accessible Fishing AreaIn Skokie Lagoons South
DirectionsPlus 16 fishing spots without a name on the map.
Waterfalls in Northfield Township
1 waterfall without a name on the map.
Scenic views in Northfield Township
Sensory Garden Arbor ViewpointIn Chicago Botanic Gardens
DirectionsPlus 1 scenic view without a name on the map.
Picnic areas in Northfield Township
Allison Woods Grove #1In Lake Avenue Woods Preserves
DirectionsBlue Star Memorial Woods Picnic Shelter Grove 1In Blue Star Memorial Woods Preserve
DirectionsBlue Star Memorial Woods Picnic Shelter Grove 2In Blue Star Memorial Woods Preserve
DirectionsLake Avenue Woods-East Grove #1In Lake Avenue Woods Preserves
DirectionsPlus 4 picnic areas without a name on the map.
Disc golf in Northfield Township
Community Park West Disc Golf CourseIn Community Park West
DirectionsCommunity gardens in Northfield Township
Community garden
DirectionsPlus 1 community garden without a name on the map.
Trails & water
15 named trails and 15 lakes & rivers
Named trails
Open to bikes · 7.4 miHorses · 5.4 miUnpaved · 21.7 mi
North Branch (green) Trail, (north section)2.4 mi
North Branch Yellow Unpaved Trail2.3 mi
East Northbrook Trail1.6 mi
North Branch Blue Unpaved Trail0.9 mi
Loop Trail0.6 mi
Little Fort Trail0.5 mi
Grove Portage Trail0.5 mi
North Navy Ditch Trail0.4 mi
Green Bay Trail0.3 mi
Merlin Waterside Terrace0.2 mi
5 more trails
Coast Guard Park Trail
0.2 miNorth Branch Orange Unpaved Trail
0.1 miLink
0.1 miRiver Trail Nature Center Brown Unpaved
0.1 miPlant identification trail
0.1 miBiking & sports
40 miles of bike routes
Bike lanes are often missing from the map in smaller towns, so that number is likely low.
2.4 mi
painted or protected bike lanes
37 mi
off-road bike paths
1.4 mi
shoulders & shared lanes
North Branch Yellow Unpaved TrailBike route
2.3 miNorthbrook Bicycle NetworkBike route
1.6 miCourts & fields
138Tennis
49Soccer
49Baseball
39Basketball
34Pickleball
14Softball
10Football
6Beach volleyball
Includes school and college facilities, which aren’t always open to the public.
When to get out
September is the best month for walking in Northfield Township
NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for the town and the daylight at its latitude. Outlined months have long days, highs of 59 to 86 °F and little rain for the place.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daylight (h) | 9.4 | 10.5 | 11.8 | 13.3 | 14.6 | 15.2 | 15.0 | 13.9 | 12.4 | 11.0 | 9.7 | 9.1 |
| High (°F) | 31 | 35 | 46 | 58 | 69 | 79 | 83 | 81 | 75 | 62 | 48 | 36 |
| Rain (in) | 1.9 | 1.8 | 2.3 | 3.8 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 3.4 | 3.3 | 2.4 | 2.1 |
February is the driest month (1.8 in) and July the warmest (highs of 83 °F). 4.5 inches fall in June, the wettest month. The climate in Northfield Township →
Next door
Northfield Township and its neighbors
Northfield Township has the most mapped trails of the 8 towns around it. Tap a town to see its outdoors.
Northfield Township58 miNew Trier Township34 miNiles Township30 miMoraine Township28 miWheeling Township19 miNorthbrook16 miDes Plaines7.4 miGlencoe5.8 mi
| Town | Conserved of land | Trail mi per sq mi | Park acres per 1,000 | Near a park ½ mile | Outdoors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northfield Township | 9% | 1.7 | 15 | 91% | A |
| New Trier Township | 8% | 2.1 | 11 | 99%+ | A |
| Wheeling Township | 5% | 0.5 | 9 | 98% | B+ |
| Niles Township | 7% | 1.4 | 6 | 99%+ | A− |
| Northbrook | 7% | 1.2 | 14 | 91% | A− |
| Des Plaines | 4% | 0.5 | 7 | 99% | B+ |
| Moraine Township | 9% | 2.4 | 23 | 99%+ | A |
| Glencoe | 3% | 1.6 | 10 | 99%+ | A− |
The four inputs of the Outdoors grade, from the engine; shares are of land, not water.
Questions about parks and trails in Northfield Township
Where can I hike in Northfield Township?
The longest trail networks: Chicago Botanic Gardens, 4.9 miles; Somme Woods, 4 miles; Gallery Park, 2.7 miles; Kennicott Grove, 2.5 miles. Each one is on the map above, with directions to the nearest trailhead or parking.
How much of Northfield Township is conserved land?
9% of its land, against a typical 4% for an Illinois town and 4% nationally (PAD-US). Conserved doesn’t always mean open to visitors: easements are usually private land.
Are dogs allowed on Northfield Township’s trails?
OpenStreetMap records dogs as welcome at Somme Woods (on leash). For the rest, check the signs at the trailhead.
Where can I bike in Northfield Township?
40 miles of bike routes are on the map: 2.4 of painted or protected lanes, 37 of off-road paths and 1.4 of shoulders and shared lanes. Named routes: North Branch Yellow Unpaved Trail and Northbrook Bicycle Network.
Is there public land near Northfield Township?
15,783 acres of parks and open public land lie inside Northfield Township or within 10 miles of it (PAD-US), 1,410 of them inside the town line.
How much outdoors does Northfield Township have?
Ahead of 87% of U.S. towns on the Outdoors grade, #116 of 768 in Illinois. The grade combines the share of land that is conserved, miles of mapped trail per square mile of land, park acres per 1,000 residents and the share of residents within a half mile of a park. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.
Trail talk
Conditions, parking and favorite walks from Northfield Township neighbors.
Share a tip
Sources
Where this page comes from
Conserved and public land: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US), service updated July 2026. Parks, trails, playgrounds, beaches and other places: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), map data as of 2026-10-28. Land and water area: Census 2025 Gazetteer. Residents near a park: 2020 Census blocks. National Register: National Park Service. How TownRatings grades the outdoors →