Take a Hike! Challenge
Way to Go Take A Hike! Finishers
Congratulations, hikers! What’s Next?
We hope these past eight weeks have empowered you to enjoy more time outdoors and in nature this fall — individually, with friends, or as a family.
If you went on six (or more) hikes from September 1 – October 27, you have earned a Take a Hike! Trail Blaze Award! If it is your first challenge, you have earned a walking stick with a commemorative medallion. And if you’ve completed the challenge before, you have earned a commemorative pin or medallion.
To collect your award, please bring your completed tracker (English Tracker & Spanish Tracker) to one of the following locations between October 28th – November 12th (Prizes will not be available before October 28th):
- Forest Preserve District of DuPage County Visitor Services, 3S580 Naperville Rd., Wheaton | 630-933-7248 |
Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm (Closed Veterans Day – November 11) - Naperville Park District’s Knoch Knolls Nature Center, 320 Knoch Knolls Rd., Naperville | (630) 864-3964 |
Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm, closed from 1:00 – 1:30 pm | Sat 9:00 am – 3:00 pm - Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, 3609 Spring Road, Oak Brook | 630-850-8112 |
Every Day 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (Closed Veterans Day – November 11) - Elmhurst Park District Administrative Office, 375 W. 1st. St., Elmhurst | 630-993-8900 |
Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm - Lombard Community Building 433 E. St. Charles Rd., Lombard | (630) 620-7322 |
Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | Sunday 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
(Closed Election Day – November 3) - NEW LOCATION* The Morton Arboretum | 4100 IL-53, Lisle | (630) 968-0074 |
Limited Hours: Monday – Saturday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Visitor Center (show tracker at gate house) - NEW LOCATION* Gallery 200 in West Chicago | 103 W Washington Street, West Chicago | (630) 293-9550 |
Limited Hours: Wednesday – Friday 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Saturdays 10:00am – 4:00pm, Sundays 12:00pm – 4:00pm; Closed Monday and Tuesday
*Supplies are limited and only available to registered Challenge participants. Offer is valid while supplies last.
Complete one Take a Hike! Tracker per person.
Thank you again for joining us this year!
2026 Take a Hike! Challenge Survey
Attention Trail Blaze Award Winners
If you earned the hiking stick and commemorative medallion, congrats! Each year, you can collect a new medallion and add it to your stick. Need help securing the medallion to your hiking stick?
2027 Take a Hike! Challenge
Sign up for notifications to stay informed about next year’s challenge dates!
Ready to get outside?
For eight weeks this fall, join The Conservation Foundation and Endeavor Health Take a Hike! Challenge. From September 1st to October 27, take part in weekly hikes to rediscover the healthy benefits of being active in nature. Complete and track 6 hikes during the challenge period to earn the Take a Hike! Trail Blaze Award.
1. Sign up by September 30th
2. Get out and hike from September 1st to October 27th
3. Turn in the Take a Hike! Tracker with 6 completed hikes to get an award
Elevate Your Hike Special Events
To help you meet your goals, we have a variety of fun special events planned throughout the challenge. Registration for each event will open about two weeks ahead of time, so make sure to keep checking back!
Sunday, October 25th
Forest Therapy
Guide: Maura Neuffer, Certified Forest Therapy Guide, The Conservation Foundation
When: Sunday, October 25 at 10-12pm
Where: Herrick Lake West Shelter, Wheaton
Registration: Ages 12 and up (minors must be accompanied by an adult). $5 Registration Fee. Space limited to 20
Description:
Immerse yourself in nature and experience the healing effects of forest therapy or Shinrin-Yoku (Japanese for forest bathing). The walk is not about the destination, but instead the awakening of your senses to the natural environment around you. Reconnect with nature during these mindful walks with a certified Forest Therapy guide. The walk is held entirely outdoors. Be prepared to walk over uneven terrain. Wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes. Meet at the picnic tables next to the water. Participants must be 12 years and older. Minors must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
- 10/24/2026 | Adult Hike with a Naturalist | Knoch Knolls Park, Naperville | 10am | $8-12
- 10/24/2026 | Fall Color 5K Walk Run | The Morton Arboretum | $45-65 | Get $10 off for TAH participants with discount code “TAH26”
Discover A New Hiking Trail
Looking to try new trails this Challenge? Check out the map of hiking trails in the greater Chicagoland area!
Don’t forget to connect with your fellow Take a Hike! Challengers on our private Facebook group! Share photos, swap hiking tips, and learn about new trails in the area.
Looking for the Take a Hike! tracker? Check your event registration email or weekly Elevate Your Hike email newsletter!
Please reach out to our DuPage County Program Director Amy Phillips at [email protected] with questions!