Chicago isn’t known for its hills. In fact, according to a study last year, Illinois is the second flattest state in the country (thank you, Florida!), but that doesn’t mean you don’t have some good options when it comes to sledding and tubing in the Chicago area. In fact, there’s a surprising number of good options for people who want to get some winter thrills without traveling too far from home. Here’s the scoop on a few around Chicago; see the photos for more.
Sledding
Cricket Hill
601 W. Montrose Drive, Chicago
chicagoparkdistrict.com, 312-742-7726
More Top Picks Best Fidget Chairs For Office Workers
This landmark hill sticks out among the flat soccer fields just west of Montrose Harbor and east of Lake Shore Drive in Lincoln Park. It’s not all that long, but it is fairly steep, and how many hills offer 360 degrees of access for sledding? Keep in mind that you are a bit isolated — that is, no bathrooms or other amenities nearby. But at least you have plenty of parking in the winter.
Caldwell Woods
6200 W Devon Ave., Chicago
fpdcc.com, 800-870-3666
This was the site of a popular toboggan run for many years, but in 2008, the Cook County Forest Preserve removed the run, along with the rest of the toboggan tracks that were in use. But there’s still a quality sledding hill here, with plenty of room for lots of people and a warming center, fire pit and indoor bathrooms that make this a great destination for kids.
Soldier Field
1410 S. Museum Campus Drive, Chicago
chicagoparkdistrict.com, 312-235-7000
Just north of Soldier Field along the lakefront, this is another hill that isn’t particularly long, but it is steep. Most of the time patrons can park for free (for an hour) at the Burnham Parking Lot South, which is accessible from the Burnham Harbor turnaround on Waldron Drive. Only plastic sleds are allowed, as is the case these days with most park district and forest preserve properties. You can’t beat the views, even if this one can get crowded on a nice weather day (relatively speaking).
A. Montgomery Ward Park
630 N. Kingsbury St., Chicago
chicagoparkdistrict.com, 312-742-7895
This small park in the River North neighborhood is a great spot for younger kids. It’s right along the Chicago River at Erie Street, and you won’t have much trouble getting the kids back up this slope. Plus you’re in a great neighborhood with plenty of restaurants for apres-sledding excitement.
Warren Park
6601 N. Western Ave., Chicago
chicagoparkdistrict.com, 773-262-6314
This is a pretty big hill, certainly by city standards, on the North Side of town. It’s great for older kids, and yet there are smaller hills in the park for the younger ones who may balk at high speeds. The park also features the Chicago Blackhawk Ice Rink, which offers a different kind of sliding. There’s also a warming hut and bathrooms near the rink, which can be used by sledders as well.
Dan Ryan Woods
87th Street and Western Avenue, Chicago
fpdcc.com, 800-870-3666
This hill operates with lights until 9 p.m. for some fun night sledding. The slope is long and gentle, making for a nice ride, especially for younger kids. It’s also well marked with an “up” section that keeps the wide hill free of traffic going in the wrong direction.
Henry C. Palmisano Nature Park
2700 S. Halsted St., Chicago
chicagoparkdistrict.com, 312-747-6497
This area of Chicago started as a limestone quarry in 1836, became a dumping ground for construction waste in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, and has now been transformed into a 27-acre nature preserve with the impressive “Mount Bridgeport,” a popular sledding destination for South Siders. It’s a medium-sized hill, but certainly a nice addition to the neighborhood.
James Park
Oakton Street and Dodge Avenue, Evanston
cityofevanston.org, 847-448-4311
This is home to the most famous of all of the former-garbage-dump-turned-sledding-hills — Mt. Trashmore. Unfortunately, Evanston has prohibited sledding on the infamous hill because it was too steep. But there’s still a smaller hill in the park that offers good thrills for older kids.
Rotary Hill
More Top Picks Best Amazon Prime Day Magna Tiles Deals 2026
441 Aurora Ave., Naperville
napervilleparks.org, 630-848-5000
This popular spot is along Naperville’s famed Riverwalk, just south of the Millennium Carillon. Inner tubes and plastic sleds are permitted until 9 p.m. during the week and 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The long hill is great for kids of all ages, and you’re within walking distance of downtown for lunch or dinner. Concessions at the bottom of the hill include snacks and a bathroom.
Northside Park
1300 N. West St., Wheaton
wheatonparkdistrict.com, 630-665-4710
The Wheaton Park District operates this sledding hill, which also features a warming shelter and concessions on the weekends. The hill isn’t particularly steep, but it’s a good one for younger kids. The nearby pond is also maintained for ice-skating.
Tubing
Tubing tends to be more organized than the usual free-for-all on a sled hill. Participants ride inflatable tubes on a designated hill or course, which is often groomed. Many ski resorts have added the sport as a cheaper option for families with younger kids who aren’t necessarily interested in learning how to ski or snowboard. At a resort you’ll also get a lift up the hill, which allows for a lot more runs with a lot less effort — and especially nice for parents who otherwise have to carry the sled and the kid back up the hill.
Villa Olivia
1401 W. Lake St., Bartlett
villaolivia.com, 630-289-1000
In the northwest suburbs, Villa Olivia is a park district facility that offers skiing and snowboarding on seven runs with a chairlift and six rope tows. The tubing hill features two runs and a magic carpet, a lift that resembles the moving walkway at an airport, but up the hill. It’s by far the easiest way to get your kids and their tubes back up the hill. Participants age 6 and over pay $20 for a two-hour window to ride (tube included). Kids age 4 and 5 can ride with an adult for $5.
Wilmot Mountain
11931 Fox River Road, Wilmot, Wis.
wilmotmountain.com, 630-871-6422
Located just across the border in Wisconsin (you can see Illinois from the top of the hill), Wilmot Mountain features a giant tubing park apart from the ski area, with 20 tubing lanes on the 1,000-foot hill. An enclosed conveyor belt takes riders back to the top in style and comfort. According to the mountain, daytime speeds can reach 38 mph, while in the icier evenings tubers have been clocked at 50 mph. Hours are Monday through Friday from 4 to 10 p.m., weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. The cost is $15-$35 a person, depending on when and how long you ride.
Blackwell Forest Preserve
Butterfield and Winfield Road, Warrenville
dupageforest.com, 630-933-7248
Mount Hoy in the Blackwell Forest Preserve is another manmade hill (that is, former garbage dump) in the Chicago area that has been transformed into a winter thrill ride. Participants must ride tubes, which are rented for $5 on site. No outside tubes or sleds are allowed (although you can ride smaller hills in the forest preserve on your own). The 800-foot ride is thrilling, but there is no lift up, so prepare mentally for the long walk back to the top with your tube.