Burr Oak Woods Dumbell Loop

Dogs No Dogs

Features Fall Colors · Lake

This hike combines the best trails of Burr Oak Woods to create a scenic, yet easy, jaunt through the conservation area. I am always astounded at how few people there are along these trails. Expect to have plenty of solitude if you are here any time other than a weekend.

Bathrooms are at all of the trailheads. At 8 p.m., the gates are closed and locked.

Start this trail at the Wildlife Habitat parking area. Take your first available left once you pass the gate. Proceed around and through the Wildlife Habitat Trail in the hardwood forest on a trail of crushed gravel. The trail undulates but never presents severe inclines or declines.

After a little over a mile, take a little connector trail to the left to reach the Hickory Grove Trail. From this junction, you'll take a left and hike for another mile or so before crossing the parking area and hitting the Bethany Falls Trail.

This trail will take you up and around some lovely rock formations and through the forest and a meadow for the bulk of the elevation gain and loss on this hike.

After finishing the Bethany Falls Trail, simply take the Hickory Grove Trail back to the parking area.