If you are looking for a historical trek, then Red Gate Woods should be your next destination. This Cook County Forest Preserve houses the final resting place of Chicago Pile-1, the world’s first-ever nuclear reactor.
It first began in the tunnels underneath the University of Chicago football stadium, Chicago Pile 1 was soon relocated to and rebuilt at “Site A”. When Site A closed in 1954, the two reactors were buried and a decades-long environmental cleanup and monitoring effort began. It was not until 1991 that the area was finally re-opened for safe public recreation following extensive clean-up by the Department of Energy. Today, Red Gate Woods remains the burial site of the world’s first nuclear reactors – marvels of science that ushered America into the Atomic Age.
Overall Thoughts on Red Gate Woods:
Difficulty (Lower is Easier)
Amenities
Transportation & Accessibility:
Crowding:
Views & Wildlife:
Overall Rating:
Difficulty
When it comes to difficulty we have rated the trail at one and a half stars, or some challenges. The trail earned this rating mostly due to one fairly large hill that definitely left us out of breath.
Material-wise the trail consists of a mixture of paved, gravel, and hard dirt sections. Though calling the paved sections paved may be a tad generous as there are a number of spots where the pavement is cracked or nature is reclaiming it.
One thing to note is that the trail also functions as a bike trail. It felt at points, that the trail seemed to be built solely with the purpose of being a mountain bike trail. Going so far as to include ramps for bikers to get some air! With that said, with any trail, especially shared, keep an eye out while you are out and about.
Getting to Red Gate Woods
For a preserve located just a 30-minute drive from the loop getting to Red Gate Woods is a sadly one-dimensional choice. The woods are functionally accessible by car only unless you are brave enough to bike on state and county highways.
To me, this is disappointing as other sections of the Palos and Sag Valley Trail Systems are accessible via public transportation or feature connections to regional bike trails. This trail is just a bit too far from The Willowbrook Metra Station.
However, if you are looking to explore The Palos Trail System from the Metra, the Willow Brooks Woods are located much closer to the station.
Beauty & Wildlife
On your hike, you can expect to get a glimpse of both prairies and woods as the trail winds and weaves its way to “Site A.”
Personally, I find Illinois’ natural beauty enjoyable, however, if you are looking for nature that is a bit more on the unique side then this trail probably isn’t your speed.
The main attraction is clearly the meadow that hosts the final resting place of Chicago Pile 1. Natural beauty isn’t how I would describe the site, functional just a few marble markers in a small meadow. However, I found the site to be beautiful in a different way, as the site features an icon of the atomic age reclaimed by nature. If it wasn’t for the marker telling you CAUTION – DO NOT DIG, in all caps, you would never know that a nuclear reactor lay beneath your feet.
Know Before You Visit Red Gate Woods
With its historical significance, there are tours that go out to site A. This means that if tours are your thing you’re in luck! It also means that like us, you may get to site A just as a large group does. This can lead to the trails being far more crowded than you would expect for a Cook County Preserve.
Palos Trail Systems
One thing to note is that Red Gate Woods is part of the Cook County Palos Trail System. This means that there are loads of options for extending your day or hiking experience. Other activities allowed include biking, cross-country skiing, and fishing. There is even a lake nearby, Lake Bullfrog, that features camping and boat rentals. Transportation challenges aside we found Red Gate Woods to be a great are to go for a walk after work or hang out and enjoy a summer weekend.
