Like much of the Midwest, Chicago is a city without mountains and valleys nearby, but that doesn't stop us from having fun when there's snow on the ground. You'll find sledding hills in Chicago at Chicago parks and forest preserves, boasting enough elevation to allow kids (and adults) to cruise across some fresh powder. If you're bored with ice skating rinks and need an excuse to get outside when it's cold, these slopes should do the trick. Bundle up, dig out your toboggan and get a running start at some of the top sledding hills in Chicago.
1. A. Montgomery Ward Park in River North
Located on the banks of the Chicago River in River North, this small hill is located near the A. Montgomery Ward Park playground, making it easy to hit the jungle gym if you tire of sliding on snow. The slope sends you toward the water, but the fence on the shore is sturdy enough to stop runaway sleds.
Located on the banks of the Chicago River in River North, this small hill is located near the A. Montgomery Ward Park playground, making it easy to hit the jungle gym if you tire of sliding on snow. The slope sends you toward the water, but the fence on the shore is sturdy enough to stop runaway sleds.
2. Caldwell Woods in Norwood Park
Pick up some snacks at Superdawg before hitting the slopes at this Northwest Side forest preserve, which lights up its hill and keeps it staffed seven days a week (assuming that there's actually snow on the ground). Enter Caldwell Woods at West Devon and North Nagle Avenues and you'll find the sledding spot nearby.
3. Cricket Hill in Lincoln Park
You'll be able to take in views of Lake Michigan from atop this relatively steep four-sided hill on the northern end of Lincoln Park (near Montrose Beach), making for some beautiful slipping and sliding.
Pick up some snacks at Superdawg before hitting the slopes at this Northwest Side forest preserve, which lights up its hill and keeps it staffed seven days a week (assuming that there's actually snow on the ground). Enter Caldwell Woods at West Devon and North Nagle Avenues and you'll find the sledding spot nearby.
3. Cricket Hill in Lincoln Park
You'll be able to take in views of Lake Michigan from atop this relatively steep four-sided hill on the northern end of Lincoln Park (near Montrose Beach), making for some beautiful slipping and sliding.
4. Dan Ryan Woods in Ashburn
Take a trip to Beverly to gaze at the distant Chicago skyline before plunging down a 200-foot hill—among the largest, if not the largest, slope in the entire city.
Take a trip to Beverly to gaze at the distant Chicago skyline before plunging down a 200-foot hill—among the largest, if not the largest, slope in the entire city.
5. Palmisano Park in Bridgeport
Known by locals as "Mount Bridgeport," the site of Palmisano Park is a former garbage dump that has been reclaimed as a recreation area. It's surrounded by roads and parts of the hill are quite steep, so Palmisano probably isn't the best spot for novice sledders.
Known by locals as "Mount Bridgeport," the site of Palmisano Park is a former garbage dump that has been reclaimed as a recreation area. It's surrounded by roads and parts of the hill are quite steep, so Palmisano probably isn't the best spot for novice sledders.
6. Soldier Field in Museum Campus
Located just to the north of Soldier Field's south parking lot, this 33-foot-tall, 220-foot-long hill was created during the stadium's landscaping redesign, giving local kids a bit of elevation for winter fun. Best of all, the Park District uses snow machines to keep it coated in powder, even if there's no naturally occurring snow on the ground.
7. James Park in Evanston
The largest hill in James Park is so intense that the Park District has banned sledding on it, but thrill-seekers can still speed down a couple of smaller mounds in this Evanston park.
Located just to the north of Soldier Field's south parking lot, this 33-foot-tall, 220-foot-long hill was created during the stadium's landscaping redesign, giving local kids a bit of elevation for winter fun. Best of all, the Park District uses snow machines to keep it coated in powder, even if there's no naturally occurring snow on the ground.
7. James Park in Evanston
The largest hill in James Park is so intense that the Park District has banned sledding on it, but thrill-seekers can still speed down a couple of smaller mounds in this Evanston park.
8. Warren Park in West Ridge
Kids in Rogers Park flock to this hill lined by stairs, making it easier to trudge back up to the top after whizzing down on a sled.
Kids in Rogers Park flock to this hill lined by stairs, making it easier to trudge back up to the top after whizzing down on a sled.
9. Humboldt Park
Hills in Humboldt Park? Yep, there's one to the west of the fieldhouse (right by the lagoon) where those who simply must go sledding in the winter can get an oh-so-brief fix. Watch out for snowmen and snow-Chance the Snappers.
Hills in Humboldt Park? Yep, there's one to the west of the fieldhouse (right by the lagoon) where those who simply must go sledding in the winter can get an oh-so-brief fix. Watch out for snowmen and snow-Chance the Snappers.
10. Horner Park in Albany Park
Located at the nexus of Irving Park and Albany Park, most of this urban oasis is pretty flat, but there are few gradual slopes that your very little ones might have some fun scooching down.
Located at the nexus of Irving Park and Albany Park, most of this urban oasis is pretty flat, but there are few gradual slopes that your very little ones might have some fun scooching down.
11. Oz Park in Lincoln Park
Even a Cowardly Lion can handle the miniature sledding hill in Oz Park, which is just slightly more magical than other gradual slopes in the city due to the presence of Dorothy, Toto and Scarecrow statues.
Even a Cowardly Lion can handle the miniature sledding hill in Oz Park, which is just slightly more magical than other gradual slopes in the city due to the presence of Dorothy, Toto and Scarecrow statues.
We raised our sons in Lincoln Park and have done many deals there. But we know all of these neighborhoods and would be happy to help you buy or sell a home in any of them. Find out more about us here:
Sledding information source: timeout
