Elm Creek Park Reserve
Elm Creek Park Reserve is the largest park within the Three Rivers Park District with 4,900 acres of beautiful scenery and almost every outdoor activity imaginable. Open year-round, Elm Creek features a man-made chlorinated swimming pond, professional disc golf course, off-leash dog park, gigantic playground, and a wonderful winter recreation area. Miles of hiking, biking and cross-country skiing trails take you through the park along scenic routes and among thriving wildlife.
Bicyclists can enjoy more than 20 miles of paved trails and more than 10 miles of singletrack trails, including “more difficult” and “most difficult” rated trails (along with easy trails too). Elm Creek is also a great place to take the fat tires for a ride during the winter months.
With more than 50 miles of hiking trails, Elm Creek is also an ideal place for a beautiful and peaceful nature walk. The paved trails take you through woodlands, wetlands, and old farm fields, great for viewing fall colors and spotting wildlife in its natural habitat. Elm Creek is home to a variety of wildlife such as eagles, sandhill cranes, deer, bluebirds, beavers, loons, trumpeter swans, and hawks. You never know what creatures you'll come across as you explore the park.
In summertime, the Elm Creek Park Swimming Pond offers a refreshing oasis. Enjoy that beachy feeling when you set up your lawn chair and umbrella and dig your toes into the sand. Lifeguards are on duty, and there are changing stations and bathrooms for your convenience. There is also a nearby playground area that is so large, you might want to tour it first! Along with classic playground equipment, there's a retaining wall with rope ladder, saucer swings that fit multiple children, a dino skeleton in the sandbox, and ziplines for kids.
As the weather get cooler and snow begins to fall, the park turns into a winter wonderland with endless snowy fun at its Winter Recreation Area, complete with cross-country skiing trails, downhill skiing and snowboarding, tubing and an all-terrain park. The park also features the rustic and beautiful Elm Creek Chalet, which provides equipment rental, refreshments (including hot cocoa!) and a gorgeous, warm fireplace. The chalet also offers a great space for hosting events, gatherings and special occasions.
