Deer Grove Forest Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This hike combines two loop trails—the Yellow Loop and the Brown Loop—for a longer hike that lets you explore the best unpaved trails at Deer Grove Forest Preserve.

A number of restaurant options are east on Dundee Road, within a few miles of Deer Grove West.

The entrance is in the west parking lot, located on the north side of Dundee Road, east of the Northwest Highway. Trail information and comfort stations are available at this entrance.

The hike starts on the Yellow Loop. This trail will guide you through scenic rolling woodlands, over bridges, near deep ravines and onto other trail routes.

Continuing onto the unpaved Brown Loop within Deer Grove East provides a continuation of the wooded and scenic hiking. The Brown Loop winds over bridges and through restored savannas, prairies and wetlands. In the spring, look for vernal (temporary) ponds, which support native amphibious species, among other wildlife.

Picnic shelters, comfort stations, and water are available at Deer Grove East. There are restaurant options east along Dundee Road, within two miles of the preserve.

Native amphibians like chorus frogs and blue-spotted salamanders. Wildflowers like Dutchman's breeches, wood anemone and jewelweed bloom in the spring.