Join us on our mountain bike tour of Goodenow Grove!
On November 1, 2025 my son, nephew and I went mountain bike riding at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve in Beecher IL. While there we photos to make this blog that highlights what it’s like to go trail riding in the Fall. I hope you enjoy!
I’m a map guy, so before starting this tour, I thought showing a map of the property would be helpful. Our tour starts at the Equestrian parking lot, which is just to the left (west) of Goodenow Road and Dutton Road. where its labeled on the map as “Plum Creek Greenway Equestrian Parking.” Then we ride north up the orange trail, and head east along the orange trail to the north limit where you loop around and come back. On the way back we explore some other areas of the property.
When mountain biking, parking at the Equestrian parking lot right off of Goodenow Road is where it makes the most sense because this parking lot is at the west side of the Forest Preserve, so you can start riding to the east end, and then turn around. If you plan to ride horses, then this is where you are supposed to park.
Approaching the equestrian parking lot from Goodenow Road.
View from the equestrian parking lot looking towards the start of the horse trail.
Overall view of the equestrian parking lot.
There is a sign located at the start of the walking trail that lets you know how long the different trails are.
View from the start of the trail. The ground material is a fine gravel mixed with brick dust type material, which is great for bikings, riding horses, or walking.
Since horses are allowed, you have to watch out for, what we jokingly call “road apples”, the horse poop.
If you go straight at the first turn on the west trail, you will go to the box culvert that is under Illinois Interstate 394. I always get a kick out of walking through this box culvert.
Approaching the I-394 box culvert.
View from inside the box culvert. The culvert must be about 10 feet high and 8 feet wide.
Now we head north from the west trail towards the Nature Center.
The wye from the west trail to the north trail.
Headed north from the west trail toward the nature center.
View of the south parking lot.
Another view of the south parking lot.
One of the main draws of the Nature Preserve in the winter time in the large sledding hill. These are views of the sledding hill. Looking at these photos, the size of the sledding hill is not properly captured – the sledding hill is pretty good sized and worth the visit to go sledding in the winter time. Today we road our bikes up the hill, and then coasted down the hill (going down was wayyyyyyyy more fun!)
Looking at the south side of the sledding hill.
Looking at the north side of the sledding hill (this is the side you sled down)
The playground equipment at Prairie West Park is high quality, and there’s a lot of different equipment to keep kids engaged for hours. The playground equipment is spread out, and on a rubber floor, which makes a great location for playing tag. In the middle of the playround is a picnic table and a couple benches, which makes a great spot for parents to relax and be able to keep an eye on their kids while they play. As an adult, I had a blast at this park also since the park equipment was large enough for me as a 6’4″ adult to traverse the playground as well.
Crossing the bridge to enter the campground area.
Campground parking lot looking north to south
Camping are parking lot looking south to north
Map of the Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve campground
Trail map at the campground area.
Overflow parking lot for the campground area.
The following photos I took east of the campground area. The trails are always kept in great shape. You are allowed to ride horses and bikes on the trails.
Throughout the Nature Preserve you will see birdhouses like this one that have squirrel deterrent systems.
We went off the trail for a bit and had to take a photo of this view! (and, thankfully I have unlimited files storage with Google Photos 🙂
Another cool view from the trail.
Another cool view from the trail.
Passing a couple walkers on the trail.
Mile marker posts along the trail.
Right before the big bridge there is a concrete patio with a large picnic table and a bench.
View of the big bridge at the Goodenow Grove trail
Taking a selfie in front of the bridge.
Another cool view from the trail.
The north-most bridge was “out” due to some damage. I’d guess the damage was from a couple trees that fell on in.
Close up view of the damage on the north bridge at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve looking east.
Close up view of the damage on the north bridge at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve looking west
More horse poop along the trail.
The trail crosses the road close to the north end of the trail.
The trail looping around at its north end.
On the way back we noticed that there were a couple chevron signs secured to the floor of the big bridge. We weren’t sure what the purpose of these are.
Bike and horse crossing sign.
View of the main entrance at Dutton Road.
Main entrance sign for the Forest Preserve District of Will County Godenow Grove Nature Preserve
Sign advertising the pumpkin smash on the second Tuesday of November.
Pond at the main entrance to the Forest Preserve.
Views from the road.
Trees with fall colors.
More horse poop.
Our last selfie in the equestrian parking lot before loading up the bikes to go home.
Sad moment! The bikes are loaded up and its time to go home. It was a great day today – the weather was fantastic, trails are in great shape, and the colors of the leaves were in prime condition!
Hi! My name is Tony Anczer, a Beecher Jr. HIgh and Sr. High alumnis – Go Bobcats!
I’m also a local realtor Beecher IL area home buyers and sellers, and commercial real estate investors choose to work with.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions about what its like to live in Beecher Illinois, or anywhere else in the Northwest Indiana or Chicagoland area.
I am licensed in both Illinois and Indiana and would love to help with your real estate needs in both states.
Feel free to reach out by phone/text on my cell at 708-608-3000 or by email at Tony@Anczer.com.
