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Centennial Trail

Location

The Centennial Trail travels 3.26 miles from Schneider's Passage in Romeoville northeast to the Cook County line. 

Hours

Sunrise-sunset

Phone

815-727-8700

Activities

Centennial Trail is a linear paved path that travels 3.26 miles from Schneider's Passage northeast through Romeoville to the Cook County line. 

The Centennial Trail may be accessed from the following locations managed by the Forest Preserve District: 

Trail experience and activities

From Schneider's Passage/Isle a la Cache in Romeoville, Centennial Trail is a flat trail that travels along the Des Plaines River through woodland and features a historic swing bridge. It is ideal for the following activities:

  • Biking
  • Hiking/running
  • In-line skating
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Snowshoeing

Trail connections

I&M Canal Trail: Centennial Trail connects to crushed limestone sections of the I&M Canal Trail.  Those portions are: 

  • A 3.17-mile segment of the I&M Canal Trailowned by the Forest Preserve thatbegins east of Schneider's Passage on 135thStreet and travels to Second Street in Lockport.
  • A 1.05-mile section of the paththatis owned by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Lockport Township Park District. This trail segment provides access to the Park District's Dellwood Park and Dellwood West. 
  • A 3.38-mile section of the I&M Canal Trail owned by the Forest Preserve stretches farther south to the District's Joliet IronWorks Historic Site in Joliet. A street route from the IronWorks site connects to the state-owned 61.5-mile I&M Canal State Trail in Rockdale. This state-owned path continues west to LaSalle Countypassingthrough the Forest Preserve’s Lower Rock Run Preserve – I&M Canal Access in Joliet, McKinley Woods – Kerry Sheridan Grove in Channahon.McKinley Woods – Frederick's Grove in ChannahonandLakeChaminwood– Joseph Dollinger Family Access in Channahon.

Veterans Memorial Trail: At Schneider's Passage in Romeoville, the Centennial Trail overlaps a portion of the 4.73-mile, linear paved Veterans Memorial Trail.

Centennial Trail – Cook County: At the Cook County line, the north end of the Will County trail connects to the Forest Preserve District of Cook County's Centennial Trail.

Trail history

Centennial Trail was acquired between 1993 and 2013.

(Photo by Anthony Schalk)

Bridge over the water with trees in the background.
(Photo by Anthony Schalk)
Bridge and bike path with trees in the background.
(Photo by Anthony Schalk)
People biking on a paved trail.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
People walking on a paved trail with a biker passing by and trees in the background.
(Photo by Anthony Schalk)
Person riding a bike on a paved trail lined by trees with a bridge in the background.
(Photo by Anthony Schalk)
Person walking on a paved trail lined by trees.
(Photo by Anthony Schalk)
Painted turtle resting on a fallen tree in the water.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
Spotted sandpiper walking on a fallen tree with water in the background.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
Common garter snake slithering on the ground next to a wall.
(Photo by Anthony Schalk)
Red-winged blackbird perched on a branch with the sky in the background.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)

Frequently asked questions

Electric-assist bicycles are allowed within the preserves as long as they meet certain requirements. The bikes must:

  • Be low speed (an electric motor of less than 750 watts).
  • Have a maximum speed of less than 20 miles per hour.
  • Have functional pedals.
  • Have a rider who is 16 years of age or older.

Per the District's General Use Ordinance, persons riding a bicycle must conform to federal and state bicycle laws.

Prescribed fire is a carefully planned activity, and controlled burns are conducted under specific weather conditions by trained professionals. Many Illinois ecosystems — including prairie, oak savanna and woodland — evolved with periodic fire. Prescribed burning helps:

  • Control invasive species
  • Encourage native plant growth
  • Recycle nutrients
  • Maintain healthy ecosystem structure

Burns are conducted with public safety as the top priority.

There is no special permit required to fish in Will County forest preserves. However, in accordance with State law, anyone over the age of 16 who fishes a public Illinois waterway is required to have a fishing license, which may be obtained from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources or at the District's Hidden Lakes Trout Farm bait shop, The Tackle Box, and Monee Reservoir Visitor Center. Visit the fishing page for more information.

Call 911 in an emergency. Non-emergency safety concerns should be directed to the Laraway Communications Center dispatch at 815-727-6191 (option 9) to have a Forest Preserve District officer dispatched. Non-emergency and past concerns can also be reported to the District's police department by calling 815-727-8700 or through the online form.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County does not provide rehabilitation services or support for animals found on District or private property.

The state of Illinois provides guidance on its Wildlife Illinois website, including a list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators. 

In addition, there are regional wildlife rehabilitation centers in other counties that may be of assistance including the DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center in Glen Ellyn and Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation in Barrington.

If you find an injured bird, you can call Chicago Bird Collision Monitors at 773-988-1867 (you cannot text). The agency is staffed by volunteers who might be available to transport the injured bird to a rehabilitation facility.