Heron View Forest Preserve - Mahomet, Illinois

Hannah P.

Very serene and peaceful. I almost don't want to leave a review because I enjoyed having the place to myself. Saw several white-tailed deer that were running off before I could grab my camera. They are a lot more skiddish and not used to sharing their space with people like at the nearby Lake of the Woods. Fairly level path with just a small hill at the beginning and end. Path is almost entirely dirt/mud and is uneven with quite a few walnuts so watch your step and be sure you have proper footwear on. It has been pretty dry here lately and it was a little muddy in spots so I imagine after rain or in spring there's probably a lot of mud and possibly standing water in lower lying areas. There are a couple of spots where the path either looks like it goes nowhere or could go anywhere but just follow the yellow makings on the trees. I went counterclockwise and had little/no trouble navigating through. There are no facilities. Trailhead is 3 parking spots at end of dead-end road with just a small post with brochures. Heard lots of birds and woodpeckers. A very tranquil short (1 ⅓ mi) hike. I would say easy to moderate terrain. My 2½ yo did it no problem and I will probably go back alone and do a couple loops as a trail run. Almost entirely shaded the whole way. Nice view of the creek. The forest preserve put up a few bird houses. It would be a nice spot to bird watch but there are no benches to speak of, which would be nice to watch the wildlife or sit by the creek but I believe the forest preserve is wanting to keep this area as untouched as possible. Worst thing I could say is you will encounter lots of mosquitoes and spider webs across the trail.

Katherine

This is a really lovely spot. The trail is perfect for families. It is an easy 1 1/3 mile loop. A trail friendly stroller can make it if you have some upper body strength, but it is better to wear babies or young toddlers that aren't ready to walk the whole way.

Hazen Bridge is a two minute drive from the trailhead so be sure and see that too if you get the chance.

Remember, there are no bathrooms and no water. Keep an eye out for poison ivy!

Michael P.

Nice mile and a quarter loop trail through the woods down to the Sangamon River and back. Currently there are a limited number of parking spaces (3-4) at the start of the trail.

Chin-Hsuan C.

Follow the yellow signs on the trunks and you won't get loss.

JQ H.

This is a small and rather hard to find park. There is one trail only and it's marked by paint splotches on trees as you go. It's pretty enough, but not all that different from all the other walking trails at other nearby parks in the Sangamon River. It's mostly the floodplain land next to the river so if it's trained any time recently, it's going to be muddy.

Jon S.

Very scenic, but totally primitive. Nothing other than a trail and some yellow spray paint on trees for trail markers. Make sure you go when it hasn't rained recently, because it's muddy.

Tamra P.

What a little gem of a place. Who knew? Beautiful and not crowded at all.

Richard B.

Did not find what I was looking for. Was a nice walk in the woods. Someone I met on the trail said I need to come back later on in the spring. Then I would see what I was looking for.