Are dogs allowed on North Shore Channel Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on North Shore Channel Trail but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out waste and respect wildlife.

Do I need a permit to hike North Shore Channel Trail?

No, North Shore Channel Trail does not currently require a permit. Still check for seasonal closures or day-use fees with the managing agency before heading out.

How difficult is North Shore Channel Trail?

North Shore Channel Trail is rated easy. It is 10.0 miles long with 607 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty ratings reflect a combination of distance, elevation gain, and terrain — your experience will depend on your fitness level and trail conditions.

Status unknown — verify before visiting

We don't have current condition data for this trail. Check with the land manager before you go.

See Illinois trail conditions

EasyOut and Back

Illinois

North Shore Channel Trail

Skokie, Illinois

10.0 mi

Distance

607 ft

Elev. Gain

3h 24m

Est. Time

Out & Back

Route Type

Easy

Difficulty

About This Trail

The North Shore Channel is a 7.7 mile long canal built between 1907 and 1910 to increase the flow of North Branch of the Chicago River so that it would empty into the South Branch and the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. Its water is generally taken from Lake Michigan to flow into the canal at Wilmette Harbor. Its carrying of excess run-off in high water events has been largely taken over by the Chicago Deep Tunnel, but there are still occasional intentional discharges back into the lake, as flood prevention in times of very heavy rains, causing episodic concern regarding effects on lake water quality.

Source: Wikipedia — text licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Verify trail conditions and seasonal closures with the managing agency before you go.

Trail Conditions

Unknown

We have no current condition data for this trail. Check with the operator before you go, and submit a report below if you've been recently.

No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.

Elevation Profile

Min:179 ft

Max:188 ft

185 ft

Trail Details

Dogs on leash

Route Type: Out & Back
Surface: Dirt

Official sources & verification

We don't have curated agency sources for this trail in our cache yet. Outdoors is not the permitting authority — confirm conditions, permits, and access with the managing agency before you go. If you know who manages this trail, please tell us.

Reviews

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Legacy import — verify before navigating

Path geometry came from our pre-launch legacy database. Routes have not yet been re-verified against the operator and may differ from the actual trail.