There are tons of sledding spots in and around the Chicago area. In fact, there are so many options to choose from that it can be difficult deciding which spot you should try out. There is no need to worry! I have compiled a list of 13 sledding spot that you should check out.
1. James Park
Location
Oakton Street and Dodge Avenue, Evanston IL 60202
James Park is located just north of downtown Chicago in the town of Evanston. On a good day, it is a 35 – 40 minute drive from the center of Chicago to this sledding spot. You will find the sledding hill in the Southwest part of the park right by Soccer Field #1.
Hours
The park is open 24/7.
Cost
Free.
More Info
Within James Park is an epic sledding hill that has been affectionally nicknamed “Mount Trashmore” by the locals. In a past life, this hill used to be a landfill, hence the odd nickname. Even though this hill used to be a landfill, it is anything but trash! On a good winters’ day, this hill can entertain for hours. It is quite steep and offers a thrilling ride.
There are also four other hills in the park that are worth checking out. Two of the hills are quite small, while the other two are medium-sized. These alternative hills may not be as big as Mount Trashmore, but they sure do give a fun ride. James Park is a must-visit for anybody who enjoys a good day of sledding!
Additional Things to Know
As of recent, there is word that sledding has been prohibited on Mount Trashmore due to the steepness of the hill. Sledders are being advised to sled on the four other hills in the park. For more information concerning the status of the sledding hills, I would suggest calling the Evanston Park District’s phone at 847-448-4311.
2. A. Montgomery Ward Park
Location
630 N Kingsbury St Chicago, IL 60654
This sledding spot is located just 10 – 15 minutes northwest of downtown Chicago. It is on the west side of the Chicago River near the River North district. A. Montgomery Ward Park can be found in the cross streets of N Kingsbury St. and W Erie St.
Hours
Open daily from 6 am to 11 pm.
Cost
Free (may have to pay for parking).
More Info
If you are looking for a sledding spot in the city to take the kiddos to, this is your place! A. Montgomery Ward Park is a 3.10-acre park that offers a great view of the Chicago River and a relaxing environment within the city of Chicago.
Its hills are fairly small and not too steep but are still big enough for little kids to have a fun ride on. In addition to the wonderful sledding hills, the kids can play on the playgrounds which are right by the sledding hills (that is if they are not too tired from sledding).
Additional Things to Know
A. Montgomery Ward Park is in a prime location within the city. There are tons of options when it comes to places to warm up and eat at.
If you or your little ones need to use the restroom while sledding, I recommend that you cross the street and use the local 7-Eleven. You can also use the bathroom and warm up while drinking hot chocolate and coffee at Peet’s Coffee or at the Erie Cafe, both of which are a walking distance from the sledding hills.
3. Caldwell Woods
Location
6200 W Devon Ave Chicago, IL 60646
Caldwell Woods is 13 miles northwest of downtown Chicago and is located right off of N Caldwell Ave (highway 14). You will find the park right next to the Edgebrook Golf Course off of W Devon Ave.
Hours
Daily from 8 am to sunset.
Cost
Free.
More Info
Caldwell Woods is well-known amongst locals in this area, partly because of its history. Many Chicagoans remember this hill being a stellar toboggan run. Sadly, the tracks were removed by Cook County a decade ago.
What now exists on this trackless hill is an excellent slope to sled on. The hill is naturally large and provides plenty of room for safe sledding and can accommodate lots of people.
Additional Things to Know
To top it all off, Caldwell Woods sledding area also has a warming center with toilets, which makes this spot perfect for kids as well. In addition to the warming center, there is also an outdoor fire pit that can help thaw out your frozen fingers after a couple of runs down the hill.
After you are done sledding, I highly suggest stopping by SuperDawg to refuel on some delicious hot dogs, fries, and hot chocolate.
4. Palmisano Park
Location
2700 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60608
This sledding spot is only 3 miles from downtown Chicago. It is located in the southern part of the city, sandwiched in between the Bridgeport and Chinatown neighborhoods. You can find the park at the cross streets of W 27th St and S. Halsted st.
Hours
Open daily from 6 am to 11 pm.
Cost
Free.
More Info
Palmisano Park is a gem of a place to go sledding! IT started out as a limestone quarry in the 1800s and became a dumping ground for construction waste in the 70’s to the ’90s and was eventually transformed into a beautiful city park. There is an infamous sledding hill that locals affectionately call “Mount Bridgeport”.
This hill is amazing for sledding and offers a fast and thrilling ride to the bottom of the hill. Mount Bridgeport sledding hill is moderately large but it is still a great place for kids to go sledding. This sledding spot is an absolute must-see if you live in or near the city.
Additional Things to Know
You’ll definitely want to have your camera handy when you go to this park. Not only does it provide opportunities to get great action shots of the kids, but it is also a great place to capture amazing views of the Chicago skyline.
Before or after you go sledding, you should stop by Jackalope Coffee or Bridgeport Coffeehouse for some great drinks to warm you up.
5. Mount Hoy (Blackwell Forest Preserve)
Location
Butterfield Rd, Warrenville, IL 60555
Mount Hoy is located an hour west of Chicago in the suburb of Warrenville. The sledding hill is located in the Blackwell Forest Preserve which is in between Highway 38, Highway 59, and Mack Rd.
Hours
Open weekends from 10 am to 4 pm (rentals end at 3:30 pm).
Cost
There is a charge of $10 per tube.
More Info
There is an amazing sledding hill called Mount Hoy that is located within the Blackwell Forest Preserve. This hill is a whopping 800-foot long hill that will give you the ride of your life. Only tubes are allowed on this hill and can be rented for a minimal fee of $10 per tube.
The money spent will be worth it though. Tubes offer faster and smoother rides, especially on this epic hill.
Additional Things to Know
Once you are done with sledding, you can check out some other activities that this nature preserve has to offer. Nearby Mount Hoy is an ice rink, sleigh rides, and snowshoe trails.
In addition to that, if you don’t want to pay for a tube you can bring your own sled and try out some of the various smaller hills located in the park.
6. Warren Park
Location
6601 N Western Ave Chicago, IL 60645
Warren Park is located in northern Chicago and is 10 miles away from the downtown area in the West Ridge neighborhood. The park is just north of Loyola University and the sledding hill can be found in the west section of the park by the Ice Rink.
Hours
Daily from 6 am to 11 am.
Cost
Free.
More Info
If you are in northern Chicago, this is the place to check out. Warren Park features a medium-sized hill with stairs on either side of the slope that makes climbing back up the hill way easier. In addition to that, you can easily stop by the warming hut and bathrooms near the sledding hill to warm up after a long sledding session.
Additional Things to Know
Once you and your family have gotten your fill of sledding you can go ice skating at one of the best outdoor ice rinks in the area. To top it all off, this sledding spot offers tons of parking, making it one of the most convenient places to go sledding.
7. Dan Ryan Woods
Location
8389 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60620
You can find this sledding spot 12 miles or 30 minutes southwest of downtown in the Beverly View part of town. Dan Ryan Woods is located right by Dawes Park and the Beverly Country Club.
Hours
Open from sunrise to 10 pm.
Cost
Free.
More Info
Dan Ryan Woods a hidden gem of southside Chicago. It has a great designated sledding hill that is easy to find and enjoyable to slide down. There is even a well-marked path that is used to climb back up. This is a great are for your kids and is even lit up after the sun goes down until 10 pm! You can stop by and sled late.
The reason why the hill is such a great place for sledding is that it is located in the leftover basin of a glacier. Crazy huh?!
Additional Things to Know
This 257-acre park is not only a great place to sled but is also very scenic. There are 1.5 miles of walking and cross-country ski trails that cut through the various forests of trees. This is definitely a park to check out in the summer months as well. It is absolutely gorgeous when everything is green and in bloom.
8. Cricket Hill (Montrose Harbor)
Location
601 W Montrose Harbor Dr. Chicago, IL 60640
Locate right on the shore of Lake Michigan in Uptown Chicago is Montrose Harbor and Cricket Hill. This epic sledding spot is 7 miles north of downtown and is a couple of miles up the road from Lincoln Park.
Hours
Open 24/7.
Cost
Free.
More Info
Cricket Hill is one of the most unique sledding spots in Chicago. The hill jots out of nowhere and offers wide open sledding on all four sides.
In addition to that, the views cannot be beaten. You can enjoy views of the lake and the surrounding city as fly down the hill. The real question is, which side will you choose to slide down?
Additional Things to Know
This hill does not offer too much in the way of facilities. There are no bathrooms or warming huts so be sure to dress warm! Sledding by the lake can be freezing but well worth it. If you do happen to need to use the restroom or warm up the closest place would be the Walgreens or BP Gas Station just north of the Weiss Memorial Hospital.
9. Riverwalk Park (Rotary Hill)
Location
500 Jackson Ave, Naperville, IL 60540
The Riverwalk Park and its Rotary Hill are located 32 miles west of Chicago in the city of Naperville. The park sits on the DuPage River and the sledding hill can be found just north of the Naperville Central High School.
Hours
Open Sunday – Thursday from 5 am to 9 pm and Friday-Saturday from 5 am to 10 pm.
Cost
Free.
More Info
Rotary Hill is a local favorite among those who live Naperville. The park is a popular place to relax during the summertime, however, once the snowflakes fall this place turns into a sledders paradise. Rotary Hill is perfect for sledding because of its steep slopes and long ride.
It is perfect for adults and kids alike and will have you and your family grinning from ear to ear.
Additional Things to Know
This sledding spot is located in the middle of downtown Naperville and therefore offers tons of options for things to do after you are done sledding. Within the actual park is a concession stand that sells drinks and snack. Another plus of sledding at this park is that there are bathrooms near the sledding hill.
10. Northside Park
Location
1300 N West St, Wheaton, IL 60187
About 45 minutes west of Chicago in the suburb of Wheaton, you will find Northside Park. This park is kitty-corner to the Cosley Zoo and is right by Wheaton North High School.
Hours
N/A
Cost
Free.
More Info
Northside Park is a perfect sledding spot for little kids. It features a sledding hill that is very mild when it comes to length and steepness. After you and your kids are done sledding you can stop by the pond located within the park and try out ice skating.
Additional Things to Know
Many parents like taking their kids to sled at Northside Park because it provides bathrooms, a warming shelter, and there are also concessions. Keep in mind that this park is also a great place to go snowshoeing.
11. Soldier Field
Location
1410 Museum Campus Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Soldier Field is located right by the Bears’ Stadium and is nearly in the heart of downtown Chicago. Free parking can be at the Burnham Parking Lot South which is off of Burnham Harbor turnaround on Waldron Dr.
Hours
N/A
Cost
Free (Keep in mind that parking is only free for an hour).
More Info
This unique hill is in the shadow of the Bears’ Stadium and offers a 33-foot drop. It is loads of fun and will give you an adrenaline-filled ride. Best of all, it is located right in the heart of downtown Chicago. The views here cannot be beaten either. You will be able to take in the city views as you fly down this good quality sledding hill.
In addition to that, the Chicago Park District has been creating their own faux snow so that you will be able to sled it anytime during the winter. You are guaranteed to have a unique and enjoyable sledding experience that will make you want to come back as soon as possible.
Additional Things to Know
Something that you should know before you set out to sled this area is that only plastic sleds are allowed on this hill. So pack up your plastic sleds and be sure to dress warm!
12. Villa Olivia
Location
1401 W Lake St, Bartlett, IL 60103
Villa Olivia is a 45-minute drive west of downtown Chicago and is located in the town of Bartlett. You can find the tubing facility off of highway 20 right across from Lakewood Memorial Park.
Hours
Open Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 9:30 pm. For more information on hours check their website or call them at 630-540-4199.
Cost
Tickets range from $6 to $24 depending on age and whether or not you are resident.
More Info
Villa Olivia offers one of the best tubing experiences for those living in Chicago and its northern suburbs. Villa Olivia is a super nice facility that is owned by the Bartlett Park District. Its tubing park offers a decent hill with two lanes of tubing. Best of all is their magic carpet lift. You don’t have to worry about walking yourself and your tube to the top of the hill, the fancy magic carpet/moving sidewalk shoots you straight to the top of the hill.
Villa Olivia has it all! Not only can you go tubing, but there is also a ski and snowboard area that has seven runs with a chairlift and six tow ropes.
In addition to that, the Villa Olivia facility is a great place to go golfing in the summer and features a great restaurant.
Additional Things to Know
Tickets for tubing sell out very fast. I suggest that you reserve your tickets online ahead of time to ensure that you get a spot. Tickets are sold for two-hour sessions. In addition to that, you can also pay for ski or snowboard lessons and equipment can be rented on site.
13. Gompers Park
Location
4222 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60630
Gompers Park is located a little over 10 miles north of downtown Chicago in the North Park Area. You can find the park right off of W Foster Avenue.
Hours
Open from 6 am to 11 pm.
Cost
Free.
More Info
The 39-acre park turns into a winter wonderland in the winter. It is a great place for the little sledders to get in on the action. There is a slew of smaller hills that are perfect for little kids to sled on. If you have little ones, I highly recommend this spot!
Additional Things to Know
Gompers Park offers much more than sledding. There is also a roller hockey rink, an outdoor pool, a playground, a lagoon, and much more. This is a beautiful park and is worth checking out no matter the season.