Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center

About

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center sits in Chicago, IL as one of the city's hiking trails, at 9800 Willow Springs Rd.

Visitors rate it highly — 4.8 out of 5 across 1,050 Google reviews. That puts it 4th of the 19 rated hiking trails we list in Chicago.

Mind the closed day: Friday. Parking is the easy part: a free lot, a paid lot and free street parking. And if it does not suit, 18 more hiking trails in Chicago are listed further down this page.

The quick take

Drawn from this listing's ratings, amenities, hours and how it stacks up against other hiking trails in Chicago.

What works

Consistently well reviewed
4.8 stars held across 1,050 reviews is not a fluke — people keep going back.
4th best-rated in Chicago
Measured against the 19 rated hiking trails we track in Chicago.
A genuine local landmark
1,050 reviews is the kind of number a place only reaches when the whole city knows it.
Works with kids
Flagged as family-friendly, which usually means room to run and somewhere for the adults to sit.
Free parking
A free lot and free street parking — one less thing to pay for, though paid options sit alongside it.

Worth knowing first

Closed Friday
Check the hours panel before you set out — a single closed day is easy to miss.
Popular enough to be busy
1,050 reviews cuts both ways. Weekend afternoons draw a crowd, so go early or go midweek if you want it quiet.
A narrow window to fit it in
Open 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and no longer — it has to land inside the working day.

Planning a visit

General guidance for hiking trails, adjusted for what this listing records.

What to expect

Marked trails that can run from a short loop to a half-day out, with the trailhead as the only real commitment.

A good fit for hikers and trail runners looking for a route close to town.

When to go

Start early — trailhead parking is the first thing to disappear on a good weekend. The gates are open 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

What to bring

More water than feels necessary
Shoes with grip
A downloaded map — signal thins out

Hours

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Amenities

Family Friendly

Parking Available

Featured in

Common questions about Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center

What is Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center?

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center is a hiking trail in Chicago, IL, at 9800 Willow Springs Rd.

What are the opening hours at Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center?

Hours vary by day: Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Friday: Closed; Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

Is there parking at Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center?

Parking options here include a free lot, a paid lot and free street parking.

Is Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center good for kids?

Yes — Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center is flagged as family-friendly.

How is Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center rated?

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center holds 4.8 out of 5 stars from 1,050 Google reviews.

What else is nearby?

Chicago has 18 other hiking trails listed on AllParx, including Lakefront Trail - Fullerton - 2400 N, Lakefront Trail - Ohio Street Beach - 600N and North Branch Trail South End at Gompers Park.