Linwood School Forest Trails Loop

This hike in Linwood School Forest trail system is a 3.2-mile-long lollipop loop that covers most of the trails in the park. Linwood School Forest is a 210 acres park that is mostly a deciduous forest, but also has wetland habitat. A small gravel parking lot for the Forest is located at the north end of the park just off of 227th Avenue. There are laminated maps in a mailbox near the trailhead to use during your hike.

This hike begins by heading south on the Smoky Hills Trail (marked in blue) which goes through a forest containing red oaks, white oaks, and northern pin oaks. After about a third of a mile take a right onto the Chipmunk Trail (marked in red). The Chipmunk Trail passes through a dry oak forest. After another third of a mile take a right onto the Acorn Hill Trail (marked in pink). This trail is a lollipop loop that passes by a hardwood swamp; look for tamaracks here. Next take a right on the Blueberry Pass Trail (marked in light blue) which runs by a wet meadow. When the Blueberry Pass Trail ends, take a right onto the Isle of Oak Trail (marked in yellow) which goes through a lowland hardwood forest. When the Isle of Oak Trail ends take a right onto the Smoky Hills Trail, after a short walk take a left onto the Deer Trail (marked in orange). This trail loops around “poor fen” which is a wetland with few nutrients. Next take a right back onto the Smoky Hills Trail. Follow the Smoky Hills Trail until you come to the Eagle’s Edge Trail. Take a right here; this trail passes through a deciduous forest and damp, shaded woodlands. When this trail ends, take a right onto the Smoky Hills Trail and head back to the parking lot.

The Linwood School Forest trail system allows hikers to pass through varied habitats and chose how long of a hike they want to do. The trails are generally flat with natural surfaces. Dogs are allowed on the trail but must be on a leash.