The Old Plank Trail. For most, it's just a 22-mile bike path. A pleasant way to get your heart pumping on a sunny Saturday. But I see something more. It's the place where I first understood we could stop just talking and actually build something tangible, something real. It's where I realized we had a chance.
This Isn’t Your Average Trail Guide
I want you to see this guide as my personal invitation. Not merely to bike or to walk, but to see this trail through my eyes. As a place that needs us.
The first time I truly explored the Old Plank Trail, it hit me like a revelation. This wasn't just asphalt and trees. It was a living artery, a vibrant ribbon connecting our communities, our history, and the quiet, forgotten nature that tenaciously hangs on in the suburbs. I saw its immense potential, but I also saw the neglect. The little bits of trash, each one telling a small story of carelessness.
That’s when it clicked. This trail could be a training ground. A canvas. It's our proving ground, a place where we can show ourselves that we are capable of making a genuine difference. This guide will give you everything you need to know to get out there—the access points, the quietest spots, the deep history. But my real hope, my true aim, is that you’ll see it as a place worth fighting for.
What is the Old Plank Trail, Really?
On a map, you see a thin line connecting towns. But in reality, it's so much more. It's a corridor where you can escape the ceaseless noise of life and feel the world slow down to a human pace. It’s a place that ties our scattered suburban lives together, a shared thread in our communal fabric.
- It’s our shared backyard. The trail weaves through Chicago Heights, Frankfort, New Lenox, and a half-dozen other towns, finally reaching its end in Joliet. It is the common ground for all of us.
- It’s a lifeline for nature. I see this path as a precious refuge for wildlife, preserving slivers of the prairie and woodlands that once blanketed this entire area. It’s a ghost of a wilder past.
- It’s a connection to people. You're never really alone out there. You share the path with families teaching their kids to ride, with serious cyclists pushing their limits, and with people just like me, looking for a simple moment of peace.
The Old Plank Road Trail runs for a remarkable 22 miles across Cook and Will counties. It follows the phantom route of a historic 19th-century railway, connecting communities and preserving a vital green corridor in the heart of Chicagoland. It stands as one of the most significant trail systems we have, and it’s right on our doorstep.
This isn't just some random path. It’s a massive piece of local infrastructure with a story etched into its very soul. You can lose yourself in the details of its past by reading the story of the Old Plank Road Trail), and when you do, you start to realize just how important it is.
Before you go, here's my quick-and-dirty summary.
Old Plank Trail at a Glance
I’ve put together a quick summary of what you need to know before you head out.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | 22 miles one-way |
| Surface | Asphalt, fully paved |
| Difficulty | Easy. Mostly flat, suitable for all skill levels (walking, biking, running). |
| Endpoints | East: Chicago Heights (Western Ave) West: Joliet (Washington St) |
| Main Towns | Chicago Heights, Park Forest, Matteson, Frankfort, New Lenox, Joliet |
| Open | Year-round, sunrise to sunset |
| Best For | Biking, walking, running, inline skating, family outings |
This table gives you the basics, but it can't capture the feeling of the trail. The way the scenery shifts from town to forest preserve. The quiet pride after a long ride. The way the light hits the trees.
It's More Than a Path. It's a Challenge.
When you’re out there, you’ll feel it. The quiet. The space. You'll see the profound beauty, but if you look closely, you’ll also see the work that needs to be done. The challenge laid bare.
This is the experience I want for you. An experience that’s real and a little raw. One that makes you want to do more than just pass through. Join me. Let's see what we can do with this place, together.
How to Actually Get on the Trail (And Not Get Lost)
Okay, so a 22-mile trail sounds amazing until you’re staring at a map, wondering where the heck you’re supposed to start. It feels a bit like planning our first few Litter Caterpillar cleanups—total chaos at first, but pure gold once you find your entry point. A puzzle waiting to be solved.
Don't you worry. I’ve already made all the wrong turns for you. Let’s get you on the path.
My Favorite Starting Lines
Downtown Frankfort is, hands down, the easiest and most rewarding place for you to start. It's like the trail's welcome mat. The path cuts right through town. Park your car, get your miles in, and then you’ve earned a coffee or lunch at one of the local spots. It’s my personal go-to for a perfect weekend morning.
If you want something a bit more rugged, I suggest hitting the western end in Joliet. It feels less like a suburban path and more like the beginning of a real adventure, especially since it connects you to the historic I&M Canal trail system. A gateway to something bigger.
My Personal Pro Tip: The Hickory Creek Preserve trailhead near Mokena is the real hidden gem. I feel like I'm letting you in on a secret. It’s got tons of parking and clean bathrooms (a huge win!), and it drops you onto a gorgeous, wooded stretch of trail that feels like you're a hundred miles from civilization. This is my secret spot for a quiet walk to clear my head.
Figuring out a trail is a lot like cleaning up a park—you need a strategy. You need a plan. We apply the same kind of planning when we tackle other local spots. If you're looking for another great place to explore, check out our guide on Waterfall Glen Forest.
Ditch the Car: Riding the Rails to the Trail
No car? Coming from the city? I’ve got a game-changer for you: the Metra Electric Line. I’ve done this a few times, and it’s brilliant. The train is your chariot, letting you off in Matteson, just a short bike ride from the trail.
This little trick transforms a simple trail day into a proper journey. A quest. You feel like a real explorer, using public transit to find the wild spots hidden in plain sight.
- The Move: You grab your bike and hop on the Metra Electric Line, heading south to the Matteson station. Just double-check Metra’s bike rules before you go.
- The Gap: It’s a safe, easy one-mile ride on local roads from the station to the Old Plank Trail. A small bridge between two worlds.
- The Payoff: You skip all the weekend traffic, never have to hunt for parking, and get to feel a little smug about your cleverness.
Choose Your Vibe: Crowds or Quiet?
Not every part of the Old Plank Trail feels the same, and that’s what makes it great. You can pick your experience like choosing a song.
The sections winding through Frankfort and New Lenox are the social hubs. On a nice weekend, they're buzzing with families, runners, and cyclists. The energy is fantastic, but it’s not where you go for silent reflection.
If you’re craving peace and quiet, I head to the bookends of the trail. The eastern miles near Chicago Heights and Park Forest, or the far western approach to Joliet, are your best bets. These stretches are way less traveled. It's where you find those long, uninterrupted moments with just the sound of your own footsteps and the wind. It’s where I go when I really need to think.
Discovering the Trail's Historic Prairies and Towns
When you step onto the Old Plank Trail, you're not just on some asphalt path. You're walking on layers of time. It's like a story unfolding right under your feet, a palimpsest of history. This trail has been a Native American path, a 19th-century plank road for wagons clattering westward, and a railroad line that built this entire region. Now? Now it’s our quiet escape.
I want you to feel that history with me. Each mile marker is a new chapter in a long, unfolding book. As you pass through the towns, the entire personality of the trail changes, showing you a new side of itself.
A Living Museum of Tallgrass Prairie
The moments that hit me hardest on this trail were when I first really saw the prairies. These aren't just patches of grass. They're incredible, living pieces of a wilder Illinois, a biological echo. Just think about it—these little strips of nature somehow survived centuries of farming and development, all because they were tucked away on land that was never plowed. They are time capsules.
The story of this land is amazing. The Old Plank Road Trail was pieced together over a 14-year period between 1992 and 2006. It was a monumental effort to turn 135 acres of a dead railroad line into the living greenway we have today. And the craziest part? Slivers of land along the path still hold original tallgrass prairie, a direct window into what this place looked like back in 1850. You can get lost in this story and see how the trail's history shaped our local landscape.
When you see these rare plants and flowers, you realize that picking up a single piece of trash is an act of preservation. It connects your small, simple effort to this much bigger story of resilience.
This is why our cleanup work feels so important to me. When you protect a place like this, you’re not just cleaning up for today. You’re honoring its entire history and fighting for its future. You become a steward.
The Personalities of the Trail Towns
As you head west, you'll see that every town brings its own energy to the trail. You're not just biking through suburbs; you're visiting distinct communities, each with its own story to tell.
- Frankfort: I always call this the trail's living room. It's so welcoming and charming, and there’s always something going on. The path slices right through its historic downtown, making it the perfect spot to start your day or end it with a coffee from a local shop.
- New Lenox: I think of this part as the trail's beating heart. It feels alive and active, connecting tons of parks and neighborhoods. You’ll see families, runners, and cyclists all sharing the space—a real feeling of community in motion.
These towns are destinations, not just scenery. Exploring them on foot or by bike is one of my favorite ways to spend a weekend. If you love discovering places this way, you'll probably enjoy our collection of self-guided Chicago walking tours too.
The Old Plank Trail is a journey that connects us—to nature, to our history, and to each other. It's a powerful reminder of what we can save when we actually work together.
Staying Safe and Prepared for Your Adventure
Being brave on the trail is one thing. Being prepared is everything.
Having a great—and safe—day on the Old Plank Trail isn't about luck. It’s about being ready for whatever the trail decides to throw at you, because trails have minds of their own. I've spent countless hours out here, and I want to share what I've learned so you can focus on the journey, not a painful blister or a forgotten water bottle.
My first rule, especially if you’re riding solo: always tell someone your plan. Just a quick text with your route and when you think you'll be back is a huge safety net. It’s a tiny action that makes a big difference.
The Unwritten Rules of the Trail
The Old Plank Trail is a shared space, a communal living room, and that means we have to be good neighbors. It's just like driving—simple rules keep everyone moving safely. This is a multi-use path, so you'll be sharing it with walkers, runners, families pushing strollers, and cyclists of all speeds.
Your best tool out here is simple awareness.
- Stay Right, Pass Left: It’s just like the highway. You, if you're slower, keep to the right. If you need to pass, give a clear and friendly "On your left!" a few seconds before you go around. No surprises.
- Keep Your Ears Open: If you’re listening to music or a podcast, I urge you to keep the volume low or just use one earbud. You absolutely have to hear cyclists or runners coming up behind you.
- Manage Your Crew: Walking with friends or family? Don't spread out and block the whole path. Fall into a single-file line, especially when it's crowded, to let others get by easily.
I see being a good trail citizen as simple. It all comes down to respect and awareness. Every time you call out a pass or make room for someone, you're helping create a safe, positive vibe for everyone who loves this trail.
My Must-Haves for Any Season
I learned about being prepared the hard way during a surprise springtime hailstorm at one of our very first Litter Caterpillars cleanups. That lesson stuck. It was a baptism by ice. Now, I’ve got a simple checklist that I tweak a little depending on the season.
A hot summer day means I pack extra water and sunscreen. A crisp fall afternoon calls for a windbreaker and maybe a hat. But a few things are always in my bag, no matter what the weather looks like.
My non-negotiable kit includes:
- Water: Always bring more than you think you’ll need. Dehydration is a silent thief.
- Snacks: A simple granola bar or some nuts can be a total lifesaver when your energy crashes.
- Basic First-Aid: A few bandages and some antiseptic wipes weigh nothing and can handle minor scrapes and cuts.
- A Litter Bag: Of course! I never go anywhere without a small, reusable bag to grab any trash I see. It’s the easiest way to leave the trail a little better than you found it.
Being ready for anything is a type of freedom. It means you can let go and just enjoy the moment, knowing you can handle whatever comes your way.
Let's Keep This Place Beautiful, Together
After you’ve been out here, after you’ve felt the sun and the breeze on the trail, you might feel a little pull. A feeling in your gut. I know I did. It’s that feeling of seeing something special and wanting to protect it. That’s where the real work—the real fun—begins.
The Old Plank Trail is our shared backyard, but it doesn't stay beautiful on its own. It’s just like my own life used to be. A messy apartment, a messy head. Everything felt chaotic. It wasn't until I started taking small, real actions that things started to change for me. Cleaning up this trail is the same idea, just on a bigger scale. It's therapy for the soul.
So, this is my personal invitation to you. I don't see this as a chore. It's a chance to join us, the Litter Caterpillars, and do something that actually matters.
What It's Really Like to Volunteer
I want you to forget what you think a "cleanup event" is. This isn't quiet, solo work. Think of it more like an outdoor get-together with a mission. We show up, we laugh, and in just a few hours, we make a difference you can literally see with your own eyes.
You’re not just picking up trash; you're becoming part of the trail's living story.
- You'll meet real people. Our volunteers are givers. They show up on a weekend morning because they want to build something better, not just talk about it.
- You'll see instant results. There’s nothing like looking back at a stretch of trail and knowing it’s clean because you were there. It’s satisfying on a deep, primal level.
- You'll have fun. I promise you this. We make it an adventure. It’s about the stories we share and the mission we're on together.
The real change isn’t just on the ground—it’s in you. When you start caring for a public space, you start seeing your whole city differently. You become a guardian. An owner. It's an empowering feeling that's hard to describe until you've experienced it yourself.
We Fill in the Gaps
Look, the official agencies do what they can, and I think they do a great job with the big stuff. A seven-mile section of this very trail just got a $1.3 million overhaul with new pavement and better access. That’s huge, and it shows our local governments care. You can even see how those major trail projects come together.
But they can't be everywhere, every day. That’s where we come in.
We’re the nimble ones. We're the on-the-ground crew that handles the daily stuff—the coffee cups, the plastic bags, the little things that pile up and whisper neglect. We are the connective tissue, filling the gaps between those big-budget projects to keep the trail pristine for every single person who comes out to enjoy it.
When you join a cleanup, you’re not just picking up a bottle. You’re protecting that $1.3 million investment. You’re making sure the trail stays as amazing as it was meant to be.
Ready to make a real difference with us? I invite you to check out our upcoming volunteer trash pickup events and find one that works for you. Let's get out there.
Old Plank Trail: Your Questions, My Answers
People ask me a lot of questions about the Old Plank Trail. I love it. It shows you’re thinking, you're curious, and you're ready to get out there. It reminds me of our cleanups—a little bit of prep makes all the difference. So let’s get into the nitty-gritty so you can hit the trail feeling like you own it.
Is the Old Plank Trail Too Hard for a Beginner?
Not a chance. I promise you this trail is as friendly as they come.
The whole thing is paved asphalt and almost perfectly flat. Don't you dare picture some tough, rugged hike. Think of it more like a really, really long sidewalk that cuts right through fields and forests. A gentle introduction. It’s perfect if you’re just starting out, have kids in a stroller, or just want an easy, chill day.
There are no surprise hills waiting to crush your soul. This is a place to build your confidence, to feel what it’s like to cover some ground. It’s how you fall in love with this stuff.
Can I Bring My Dog?
Yes! Your dog is welcome on the trail. I love seeing pups out there, enjoying the day just as much as we are. Just be cool about it and follow the basic rules so we can all keep enjoying this privilege.
- Leash Up: Your dog must be on a leash. Period. It's for their safety, other people's safety, and the local wildlife. I make no exceptions to this in my own mind.
- Pack It Out: You know the deal. Always pick up after your dog. I always bring more bags than I think I’ll need. This is a non-negotiable part of being a good human on the trail.
- Keep It Tight: When people are passing, I keep my own dog on a short leash right by my side. Don't let the leash become a tripwire across the path.
Look, I see bringing a dog on the trail as a privilege we all share. When we all follow these simple rules, we're protecting that privilege for everyone. It’s a small thing, but it’s how we take care of our community and the spaces we love.
What About Bathrooms and Water?
Super important question. The short answer from me is: yes, but don't count on them being everywhere.
You’ll find bathrooms and water fountains at the main trailheads and parks, especially in towns like Frankfort and New Lenox. But once you're on the trail, there can be long, desolate stretches with absolutely nothing.
Here’s my advice: always start your trip with a full water bottle. Always. And if you see a bathroom, use it. Don't play the "I'll wait for the next one" game. A little planning avoids a lot of misery later. Trust me on that one.
Ready to turn that inspiration into action? Join me at Litter Caterpillars. Help us keep this trail and other incredible Chicago spaces clean for everyone. Find an event and sign up at https://www.littercaterpillars.com.
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