Winter in Chicago can be brutal especially when there are major snowstorms – which means having to shovel as well as having to be careful while driving and walking on icy and slippery roads. Fortunately, lots of snow brings the opportunity to go sledding. If you are looking for where to go sledding in Chicago, here are the best sledding hills in Chicago.
Sledding Hills in Chicago (2024)
Below are best places to go sledding in the city of Chicago.
Caldwell Woods
Caldwell Woods is a Forest Preserve on the Northwest side (close to Superdawg one of the best hot dog places in Chicago). The hill has lighting for sledding in the evening and it is staffed. Sledding hill is open when the ground is frozen and covered with a minimum of three inches of snow. Call ahead at 847-647-2240 to make sure sledding hill and parking area are open.
Where: W Devon Ave & N Nagle Ave, Chicago, IL 60646 (Here is a map of the park)
When: Open Sunday – Thursday: 10am – 7:30pm; Friday-Saturday: 10am – 8:30pm daily when conditions allow. Call 847-647-2240 for sledding hill status.
Montrose Harbor (Cricket Hill)
Although Cricket Hill isn’t officially designated as a sledding hill, it is a popular spot. The steep four-sided hill offers great views of Lake Michigan.
Where: 4500 N. Lakeshore Drive | W. Montrose Chicago, IL 60607
Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center
Located in the Beverly neighborhood, this giant forest preserve is not usually crowded. The sledding hill is lit up at night and also features a separate area for snowboarding. Helmets are required for both. See snowboarding rules here). There are fitness stairs making it easier to get up the sledding hill. Call ahead (773-233-3766) to check whether the hill and parking areas are open for sledding before heading out.
Where: S Western Ave & W 87th St, Chicago, IL 60620 (view map)
When: Open and staffed Sunday – Thursday: 10am – 7:30pm; Friday-Saturday: 10am – 8:30pm daily when conditions allow. Call 773-233-3766 for sledding hill status.
Humboldt Park
Humboldt Park sled hills are small and great for kids.
Where: 1440 N. Humboldt Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60622
Hours: Park is open daily from 6:00 am-11:00 pm.
Gompers Park
Located at the corner of Foster and Pulaski Avenues in the North Park neighborhood, Gompers Park covers 42.17 acres. The park straddles the Chicago River and features rehabilitated wetlands and a lagoon with pier access that lends itself to many environmental activities.
Where: 4222 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60630
Hours: Park is open daily from 6:00 am-11:00 pm.
Palmisano Park
Palmisano Park, also known as “Mount Bridgeport,” is a popular sledding hill for locals (even though there is a no sledding sign). The hill offers great views but it is relatively steep, so it is not the best option for novice sledders.
Where: 2700 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60608
Hours: Park is open daily from 6:00 am-11:00 pm.
Warren Park
The sledding hill at Warren Park has stairs on both sides making it easier to walk up. The hill can get busy with kids so watch out for collisions. The park is also home to an outdoor skating rink.
Where: 6601 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60645
Hours: Park is open daily from 6:00 am-11:00 pm.
Riis Park
Like Warren Park, Riis Park also has an outdoor skating rink.
Where: 6100 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago, IL 60639 (Fullerton and Narrangansett)
Hours: Park is open daily from 6:00 am-11:00 pm.
Schiller Woods-East
This Forest Preserve has a large sledding hill (although it does not have lighting in the evening like Caldwell Woods and Dan Ryan Woods).
Where: W Irving Park Rd, west of N Cumberland Ave, Chicago, IL 60634 (view map)
Hours: Open 10 am to sunset daily when conditions allow. Call 773-625-0606 for sledding hill status.
Horner Park
Horner Park has a hill on the north end of the park. The hill is not very steep, so it is best for kids. Parking is easy -you can park on Montrose in front of the tennis courts and the hill is right there.
Where: 2741 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago, IL 60618
Hours: The park is open 6:00 am-11:00 pm daily
Thaddeus S. “Ted” Lechowicz Woods
Thaddeus S. “Ted” Lechowicz Woods is another sledding hill part of the Forest Preserve of Cook County. The sledding hill is open when the ground is frozen and covered with a minimum of three inches of snow.
Where: N Central Ave, north of N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60646 (view web map)
Hours: Open 10 am to sunset daily when conditions allow. Call 847-647-2240 for sledding hill status.
Oz Park
Oz Park in Lincoln Park has a small sledding hill perfect for little kids. The park celebrates “The Wizard of Oz” theme with statues of the Tin Man, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, and Dorothy & Toto.
Where: 2021 N Burling St, Chicago, IL 60614
Hours: Open 6:00 am-11:00 pm.
Soldier Field
The 30 acres of parkland surrounding Soldier Field are home to a sledding hill. Call (312) 235-7000 before you go to make sure sledding is available.
Where: 1801 S Museum Campus Dr (view web map)
Have you visited any sledding hills in Chicago this winter?
