Trails

TRAILS

Lay of the Land

Severson Dells Forest Preserve features 5 miles of self-guided nature trails and connects to a complex of other preserves - so go ahead and hike all day! A hard-surfaced trail, 2/3 of a mile in length, is accessible for strollers and wheelchairs year-round. Severson Dells features Hall Creek, prairie, woodlands, a pond, and the scenic dolomite dells!

Guided walks are held frequently throughout the year for the general public, and small groups may arrange special guided walks by contacting the Nature Center. View our calendar of events to find guided hikes under the full moon, through the wildflowers, to discover pollinators and so much more!

TRAIL MAP

The Dells on Hall Creek

At the heart of Severson Dells Nature Preserve is the valley of Hall Creek, with its weathered bedrock cliffs standing as testimony to the power of moving water. Thousands of years ago, glacial meltwaters carved the valley, exposing the ancient dolomite (a kind of limestone). Today, Hall Creek (or Mosquito Creek as it is called on some maps) meanders through the valley, flowing year-round and draining farm fields that occupy areas north of Montague Road to carry the water to the Rock River.

Hike All Day

Severson Dells Forest Preserve is connected to a complex of preserved green space. You can truly hike all day through this beautiful landscape- there are a total of 1,651 acres of conserved land! To put this in context, it’s over half the size of Rock Cut State Park. From Severson Dells, hikers can also access Howard Colman Hall Creek Preserve (managed by Byron Forest Preserve), Funderburg Forest Preserve (managed by Forest Preserves of Winnebago County) and the Colman Dells Nature Preserve (this private preserve is managed by Natural Land Institute, please contact NLI for permission).

Trails are open dawn to dusk.

Dogs are not allowed unless they are service dogs.

Our Mission: To link people to nature through education and research, in the northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin area. We promote awareness of the natural world, fostering respect, enjoyment, and preservation now and in the future.