About the Trails

Officially started in 1998, the Winona Lake Trails sit on some cool history that will help you understand the makeup of the land and why some of the trails flow the way they do.

The property was once a summer camp owned by the Chicago Boys Club.

Incorporated in 1902, the camp was open for nearly 80 years providing a place of solitude for inner-city children from Chicago to spend two weeks out of their summer. The camp had several buildings on-site which included a caretaker’s home, a maintenance building, and cabins. Many of these foundations remain today and are sprinkled throughout the 117 acres of private property.

Today, you can enjoy just over 10 miles of flowing singletrack that winds its way around the trees, Cherry Creek, and open spaces of the old Chicago Boys Club Camp. You will find challenging uphill climbs, quick descents, and fun, flat sections. And oftentimes, you’ll come across riders and runners from towns near and far, sometimes even out of the country, as they’re here on business, and have been introduced to our local gem.

A portion of the Lake City Greenway – the Heritage Trail also winds its way through the history of the old Chicago Boys Club Camp. Additionally, a newer 1.1 mile of the greenway is now open and provides a segment that crosses Cherry Creek south of the Winona Lake Street Department building, and then meanders around the outside of the northeast portion of the off-road trails in a clockwise direction.

They then cross Pierceton Road into Miller Field traveling north through the woods to Grace College’s campus.

Every year the Winona Lake Trails are host to a gamut of events and are open to anyone who wants to participate. Additionally, the trails are maintained entirely by volunteers trained through KCV Cycling Club and funded by donations from the community.

Opportunities for donating and volunteering are always available and appreciated to keep the trails in top shape and open for all to enjoy. No experience is needed to volunteer as training is provided to anyone wanting to help out. You can subscribe to our website updates on our homepage to stay up to date on upcoming events.

Be sure to bookmark this site and sign up for notifications so you can always find out the status of the trails!