HIKING TRAILS

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Trail Map

Woodland Dunes offers several hiking trails that include beautiful habitats such as woodlands, meadows, and marshes. All trails are relatively flat and easily hiked, ranging from ¼ – 2 ½ miles long.  In winter, trails are open for snowshoeing and cross- country skiing, although not groomed. Trails are open from sunrise to sunset. Trail maps can also be picked up at the Nature Center office. 

Trail Report

Updated 8/24/26

TRAIL 
STATUS 
TRAIL CONDITION
THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS
MOSQUITOS
None/Few/Moderate/Bitey
Cattail Trail
  • Open
Good All Boardwalk
Painted Turtles
None/Few
Willow Trail
  • Open
Good
Blazing Star Blooming
Bitey
(Off of Willow Trail)
Goldenrod Loop
  • Open
Good
Viceroys
Bitey
(Off of Willow Trail)
Horsetail Loop
  • Open
Giant cottonwood tree has fallen across trail.
*This is now a “natural” trail and remains unmowed
Horsetails
Bitey
Conifer Trail
  • Open
Good
Wood Frogs
Bitey
Blazing Star Trail
(Henry Wetland)
  • Open
Good
Coneflowers
None/Few
Yellow Birch Trail
  • CLOSED
  • CLOSED
  • ------------
  • N/A
Black Cherry Trail
  • Open
Good
Blackberries
Moderate
Trillium Trail
  • Open
Good
*This is a “natural” trail and remains unmowed
Deer
Moderate
Ice Age Trail
(Dunes Segment)
  • Open
Good
Flowers Blooming in Meadow
Moderate

Trail Etiquette

Your behavior makes a difference.

By following these rules you are benefiting not only the wildlife and plants that live here, but future generations of people looking to connect with nature.

  • Stay on the trail
  • No pets (leashed pets are allowed on Ice Age Trail)
  • No collecting or foraging
  • No alcohol or illegal substances
  • No drones
  • No bicycles, snowmobiles, or other vehicles
  • No smoking/vaping
  • No dumping of animals/garbage

Trails beginning at the Nature Center:

Harold Alyea Tower

Get a bird’s eye view of the wetlands from this two-story, 30-foot tower located next to the Nature Center. A ramp leads to the lower level of the tower for a view of David’s Pond. Stairs climb to the second story for observation of the West Twin River through a viewing scope. A cement parking pad is next to the ramp, and there are level sidewalks leading to the pavilion, butterfly garden, and Cattail Trail.

Cattail Trail (0.3 mile)

The whole family will enjoy this boardwalk. Meanders through shrub swamp, sedge meadow, and cattail marsh where birds and wetland animals live or visit. Platform access to the pond for dip net use (materials can be found in the red Visitor Exploration Tools shed near the pond). Kayak launch located at the end of trail. Ask to borrow caddies at the front desk.
  • Surface: Wooden boardwalk
  • Width: 5’
  • Slope: None
  • Obstacles: None
  • Benches: Yes

Willow Trail (0.9 mile)

Out-and-back trail passes through diverse habitats. Shady shrub carr, open meadow with native pollinator plants, Goldenrod Loop around Todd’s Pond wetland, often full of dragonfly activity. Horsetail Loop features unique fen-like ecosystem. Willow trail concludes along the bank of the West Twin River. Observation deck and informative signage. Particularly breathtaking from mid-summer to late fall.
  • Surface: Grass, wooden boardwalk, dirt
  • Width: 6’
  • Slope: Slight slope to get onto the boardwalk section
  • Obstacles: Goldenrod Loop’s section behind Todd’s Pond is often wet and with uneven terrain
  • Benches: Yes
  • Platform: 7 steps

Trails Within 10 Minute Drive or Less of the Nature Center:

Conifer Trail (0.75 mile)

Conifer Trail is U-shaped and starts about two blocks from the Nature Center on Columbus Street. Signs on the west side of the road identify the trailheads. Street parking is available next to the trailheads. This unique trail follows two ancient beach ridges, crossing a swale in between while walking through a mixed hardwood forest. Native tree ID signage is found along the trail.
  • Surface: Grass, dirt
  • Width: 6’
  • Slope: Slight rolling slope
  • Obstacles: Roots & raised culvert
  • Benches: Yes

Ice Age Trail Woodland Dunes Segment (2.25 miles)

This segment of the Ice Age Trail runs through the Woodland Dunes Preserve and is concurrent with Trillium Trail for part of its length. It is marked by yellow blazes. Unlike other Woodland Dunes trails, the Ice Age Trail is open to dogs on a leash; however, they must stay on the trail. Please pack out their waste. Parking is available behind the Aurora Hospital, at the end of 10th Street, and along Columbus Street.
  • Surface: Grass, dirt, wooden boardwalk
  • Width: 5’
  • Slope: Occasional slight slopes
  • Obstacles: Roots
  • Benches: Yes
  • Plover Pond Platform: 14 steps

Trailheads on Goodwin Road:

Blazing Star Trail (.75 mile)

Circle through Woodland Dunes’ prairie & wetland plants, listen to grassland bird songs, observe pollinators foraging, and watch as wildlife changes from one season to the next. Wetland viewing platform at this site. Gravel parking pad located at the trailhead along Woodland Drive.
  • Surface: Grass
  • Width: 6’
  • Slope: Rolling slope
  • Obstacles: Grass clumps
  • Benches: Yes
  • Platform: 9 steps

Yellow Birch Trail (0.3 mile)

This boardwalk is currently closed because it is unsafe and in need of repair.
  • Surface: Wooden boardwalk
  • Width: 4’
  • Slope: Slight rolling slope
  • Obstacles: None
  • Benches: Yes
  • Condition: Trail is currently closed and awaiting funding for repair.

Black Cherry Trail (0.8 mile) & Trillium Trail (1.5 miles)

These two trails meander, often concurrently, through the ridges and swales of an ancient beach. Pass through upland mixed hardwoods and a wooded swamp, catching glimpses of birds and amphibians in the spring, summer, and fall. Several small bridges cross these seasonally wet swales. Trillium Trail also connects with the the Ice Age Trail before looping back to Black Cherry Trail. Parking is available at the end of Goodwin Road, please do not block the green gate.

Black Cherry Trail

  • Surface: Grass, dirt, wooden boardwalk, woodchips
  • Width: 4’
  • Slope: Slight rolling slope, angled slope, steep slope onto large boardwalk section
  • Obstacles: Roots, step up onto boardwalk sections
  • Benches: Yes

Trillium Trail

  • *Note: Trillium Trail is a “natural path” and is not mowed
  • Surface: Grass, dirt, wooden boardwalk
  • Width: Varies with the season, occasionally only ~2’ wide
  • Slope: Slight rolling slope
  • Obstacles: Roots, step up to get onto boardwalk sections
  • Benches: Yes

Viewing Platforms ​:

Our preserve offers several viewing platforms for you to take in the scene and spot wildife such as birds, deer, foxes and more. You can find the locations on our  TRAIL MAP by looking for the binocular icon.

Coneflower Platform (200 ft path)

  • Parking: Along Goodwin Road or across the street in the grass lot
  • Steps: 7

WPS Wetland Platform

  • Parking: Gravel parking pad along Woodland Drive
  • Steps: 5

Henry Wetland Preserve Platform

  • Located along Blazing Star Trail, parking available off of Woodland Drive
  • Steps: 9

Plover Pond Platform (715 ft path from the trail)

  • Located off of the Ice Age Trail – Dunes Segment
  • Steps: 14

Willow Trail Platform

  • Located at the end of Willow Trail
  • Steps: 7

Visit us

Nature Center
Butterfly Garden
The Preserve