X-Country Skiing or Snowshoeing at White Pines Forest State Park

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This will be a 4 hour activity. There is no ski or snowshoe rental available. You'll need to bring them. There are no warming shelters, and the cabins and lodge/restaurant are closed Dec 22 through March. There are vault toilets (out houses). White Pines Forest State Park is a 385-acre state park located in the heart of the Rock River valley, South of Rockford. Two trails are available for cross-country skiing totaling 4.5 miles of groomed trails when weather permits. If conditions are bad that day, I’ll change to a different location. Dogs and snowshoes are not allowed on ski trails. However there are other trails in the Park that you can use.

Directions: To reach White Pines Forest State Park from the far West suburbs, take Route 64 (North Avenue) west to Route 2 south in Oregon, turn left on Route 2 to Pines Road. At Pines Road, turn right and follow the signs to the park entrance, approximately 8 miles.

From the Northwest Chicago or Northwest suburbs, take I-90 west to Route 20 at Rockford. Take Route 20 west to I-39 (South), then to the Oregon exit (Route 64). Take Route 64 west to Oregon. You will turn left at Route 2 and continue to Pines Road. Turn right on Pines Road and go about 8 miles to the park entrance.

From Chicago or the Western suburbs, take I-88 west to I-39 North. From South Chicago or the Southern suburbs take I-80 West. Take I-39 North to the Oregon exit (Route 64). Take Route 64 west to Oregon. You will turn left at Route 2 and continue to Pines Road. Turn right on Pines Road and go about 8 miles to the park entrance.