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Plum Creek Greenway Trail

Location

The Plum Creek Greenway Trail travels through Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve, located on Dutton Road, north of Goodenow Road in Crete Township, as well as Plum Valley Preserve, located south of Burville Road and east of Route 394 in Crete Township.

Hours

8 a.m.-sunset

Phone 

815-727-8700

Activities

Plum Creek Greenway Trail is a crushed limestone path that travels 3.15 miles through Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve, with a separate 1.03-mile stretch at Plum Valley Preserve. 

The trail may be accessed from:

Trail experience and activities

The Plum Creek Greenway Trail is a mostly hilly, linear and loop trail. It is ideal for the following activities:

  • Biking
  • Hiking/running
  • Horseback riding
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Snowshoeing

Coming soon

A new section of the Plum Creek Greenway Trail is under construction that will connect Plum Valley Preserve to Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve. Scheduled for completion in fall 2026, the project will close a key gap and advance plans for a continuous north–south regional trail.

Trail history

Plum Creek Greenway Trail was acquired between 1977 and 2000. 

(Photo by Chad Merda)

Bridge along a trail with trees in the background.
(Photo by Chad Merda)
Trail sign with a limestone trail, vegetation, and trees in the background.
(Photo by Anthony Schalk)
Limestone trail lined with grasses, vegetation, and trees.
(Photo by Anthony Schalk)
Limestone trail lined by grasses and vegetation with a fall colored tree line in the background.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
Limestone trail lined with grasses and fall colored trees.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
Black-capped chickadee perched on a branch with leaves in the background.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
Eastern gray squirrel climbing up the side of a fungus covered tree.
(Photo by Anthony Schalk)
Common milkweed growing with white and purple flower petals with vegetation in the background.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
Baltimore oriole perched on a branch with the sky in the background.
(Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)
Limestone trail lined with grasses, vegetation, and trees.
(Photo courtesy of Vicki Ciesielski)

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.

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.