Things To Do on an eBike in McHenry County, IL
Mchenry County has a long rail-trail, short paved paths and a state park trail, all within reach of the shops in Crystal Lake, Marengo, McHenry, Johnsburg and Wonder Lake. Most routes here are run by the McHenry County Conservation District. Illinois law is the default for eBikes on them.
The routes below are listed by name, with lengths, surfaces, trailheads and the rule that applies. Where published sources disagree on a length, both numbers are given. Where no eBike rule is posted by the manager, the state default applies. Always read the signs at the trailhead.
Where to ride in Mchenry County
The county's routes sit along old rail corridors, Route 14 and the Fox River. The Prairie Trail runs from Genoa City, Wisconsin, to Algonquin. The H.U.M. Trail connects Marengo and Union. Ridgefield Trace links Woodstock and Crystal Lake. Moraine Hills State Park Trail starts at the McHenry lock and dam. The Bull Valley Road path sits inside the city of McHenry.
Moraine Hills State Park Trail is 11.4 miles on asphalt and crushed stone. The Prairie Trail is the longest at 25.5 to 26.4 miles, depending on the source, and mixes asphalt, crushed stone, dirt and gravel. Ridgefield Trace is paved at 7.5 or 8 miles. The H.U.M. Trail is paved at 3.5 miles. The Bull Valley Road path is asphalt at 1.1 miles. No manager page lists an eBike ban, so the state default applies to all of them.
eBike shop hubs
Pick a town to see its shops, from the five in Crystal Lake to single listings in Wonder Lake and Johnsburg. Stop by before a ride to ask about batteries, tires and service.
- eBike shops in Crystal Lake
- eBike shops in Wonder Lake
- eBike shops in Marengo
- eBike shops in Johnsburg
- eBike shops in Mchenry
Rental and tour contacts
One rental card is listed: The Bike Haven, categorized as a bicycle rental service. Ask the shop directly whether eBikes are available and what a rental includes, since terms are not published here.
Named eBike routes and access checks
1. Prairie Trail, the county's long rail-trail
The Prairie Trail is the longest ride in Mchenry County. It is a rail-trail managed by the McHenry County Conservation District. It runs from Anders Park in Genoa City, Wisconsin, to Souwanas Trail in Algonquin, Illinois. The surface changes along the way and includes asphalt, crushed stone, dirt and gravel. The published length is not settled. TrailLink lists 26.4 miles, and the Ringwood Prairie Trail brochure states 25.5 miles. The Hebron Trail and a 1.5 mile North Branch link, which heads west through North Branch Conservation Area, connect to it. A planned 4300 ft extension of the Bull Valley Road path would also reach it. Plan this as a full day. Carry water and a spare tube, and expect slower going on loose sections.
Distance: 26.4 miles per TrailLink and 25.5 miles per the Ringwood Prairie Trail brochure; start: Anders Park, 309 Southeastern Ct, Genoa City, WI, or 401-499 Souwanas Trail, Algonquin, IL; surface: Asphalt, crushed stone, dirt and gravel.
eBike access: No eBike rule was found on the manager page, so the Illinois default applies: low-speed eBikes may use bicycle paths unless the local authority prohibits them, and trailhead signs should be checked. Etiquette and planning: Keep right, pass with a call or bell, and slow down on gravel and dirt. Choose a lower assist level near walkers and on blind curves. Managing source: McHenry County Conservation District, Bike page.
2. H.U.M. Trail: Marengo to Union by the tracks
The Huntley-Union-Marengo Trail, called the H.U.M. Trail, is a short paved multi-use path in the western part of the county. It is managed by the McHenry County Conservation District. It runs from East Street in Marengo to Vine Street in Union, alongside railroad tracks. At 3.5 miles, it is an easy out-and-back for a first eBike ride, a shakedown after a tune-up, or an add-on to a longer day. Marengo has 2 shop listings in the directory, so it is a handy place to start. No eBike rule was found on the manager page, so riders follow the state default. Pack water, since services along the route are not published.
Distance: 3.5 miles, per the McHenry County Conservation District; start: East Street in Marengo or Vine Street in Union; surface: Paved.
eBike access: No eBike rule was found on the manager page, so the Illinois default applies. Low-speed eBikes may use bicycle paths unless the local authority prohibits them. Etiquette and planning: The path runs beside active railroad tracks. Stay on the pavement, watch for crossings, and keep your speed modest around walkers. Managing source: McHenry County Conservation District, Bike page.
3. Ridgefield Trace: Route 14 from Woodstock to Crystal Lake
Ridgefield Trace is a paved trail along Route 14. It runs from Lake Ave in Woodstock to Walkup Ave in Crystal Lake, according to the McHenry County Conservation District, which manages it. TrailLink describes the same corridor with endpoints at 1275 Lake Ave in Woodstock and Walkup Rd at Veteran Acres Park in Crystal Lake. The two sources disagree on length, with 7.5 miles from the district and 8 miles from TrailLink. The Crystal Lake end is close to the town with the most shop listings in the county, which makes it a practical route for a test ride or a ride home after service. Since it follows a busy highway, expect road noise.
Distance: 7.5 miles per the McHenry County Conservation District, or 8 miles per TrailLink; start: Lake Ave in Woodstock or Walkup Ave at Veteran Acres Park in Crystal Lake; surface: Paved.
eBike access: No eBike rule was found on the manager page, so the Illinois default applies. Low-speed eBikes may use bicycle paths unless the local authority prohibits them. Do not ride on sidewalks. Etiquette and planning: Cross side streets slowly and make eye contact with drivers. Ride single file when others approach and keep assist modest at road crossings. Managing source: McHenry County Conservation District, Bike page.
4. Moraine Hills State Park Trail: Fox River side
Moraine Hills State Park Trail is the county's state park route. It is managed as an Illinois state park and covers 11.4 miles in McHenry County. Its westernmost trailhead is the McHenry lock and dam on the Fox River. TrailLink categorizes it as a greenway with asphalt and crushed stone surfaces. No eBike rule was found on the manager page, so the state default applies. One TrailLink user review mentions riding eBikes there, but that is a rider comment, not a rule. State park rules can change, so read the posted signs and any park notices before you ride. McHenry has 2 shop listings nearby.
Distance: 11.4 miles in McHenry County, per TrailLink; start: The McHenry lock and dam on the Fox River; surface: Asphalt and crushed stone.
eBike access: No eBike rule was found on the manager page, so the Illinois default applies. Confirm with posted park signs, because state park rules are set by the managing agency. Etiquette and planning: Expect walkers and families, so keep speed low on crushed stone, give a verbal warning when passing, and follow any park signs on where bikes may go. Managing source: TrailLink, Moraine Hills State Park Trail (secondary).
5. Bull Valley Road Shared-Use Path, short city connector
The Bull Valley Road Shared-Use Path is a short asphalt path inside the city of McHenry. It runs 1.1 miles between State Route 31 and River Road. TrailLink describes it as suitable for non-motorized uses, so look for signs about eBikes before you ride it. The City of McHenry has no local eBike ordinance, and eBikes fall under state law. Plans are underway to extend the path 4300 ft to meet the Prairie Trail. No date for that extension is published. Today, it works best as a quick errand or warm-up ride, not a destination. Riders staying in McHenry can use it with the 2 local shop listings.
Distance: 1.1 miles, per TrailLink; start: State Route 31 or River Road in McHenry; surface: Asphalt.
eBike access: No eBike rule was found, so the state default applies. The path is described as suitable for non-motorized uses, so check posted signs. Electric dirt bikes without pedal assist are banned in McHenry. Etiquette and planning: Keep speeds low on a short shared path. Yield to walkers and do not use the sidewalk on connecting streets. Managing source: TrailLink, Bull Valley Road Shared-Use Path (secondary).
6. Hebron Trail, a branch off the Prairie Trail
The Hebron Trail branches off the Prairie Trail and can turn a long ride into a loop-style outing. Its length depends on the source. The McHenry County Conservation District brochure gives 4.8 miles. The Ringwood Prairie Trail brochure lists Hebron Trail West at 2 miles and East at 2.5 miles. TrailLink's Prairie Trail page says Prairie Trail to Hebron Trail is 4 miles. These figures may measure different segments, so check the manager map for your exact route. No eBike rule was found, so the state default applies. The 1.5 mile North Branch link, which heads west through North Branch Conservation Area, is a second connector from the Prairie Trail.
Distance: 4.8 miles per the McHenry County Conservation District brochure; the Ringwood brochure lists 2 miles west and 2.5 miles east; start: Several access points; check the manager map; surface: Check the manager page for current surface.
eBike access: No eBike rule was found on the manager materials, so the Illinois default applies. Low-speed eBikes may use bicycle paths unless the local authority prohibits them. Etiquette and planning: Carry the district brochure map, since segment lengths differ by source. Plan battery range with a margin and follow any posted signs. Managing source: McHenry County Conservation District, Prairie Trail brochure.
Planning a Mchenry County ride
Charging locations along these routes are not published, so start with a full battery. Pick a route length that leaves a margin, especially on the Prairie Trail, where loose surfaces can use more power. Carry a charger only if you plan to stop at a business that agrees to let you plug in.
Crowd levels and closures are not published for these routes. Check the McHenry County Conservation District bike page before you go, and read signs at trailheads. For Moraine Hills, look at park notices. Transit and ferry connections are not covered here, so plan to drive to a trailhead and bring a rack or a van for your bike.
Half-day and full-day eBike plans
Half day: Ride the H.U.M. Trail out and back from East Street in Marengo to Vine Street in Union. That is 3.5 miles each way on pavement, so you can stop and turn around easily. Start from Marengo and visit one of its 2 shops before or after.
Full day: Take the Prairie Trail, which is listed at 25.5 to 26.4 miles, with asphalt, crushed stone, dirt and gravel. Start at Souwanas Trail in Algonquin or Anders Park in Genoa City, and plan only as far as your battery allows with a margin for the return.
Rainy-season backup: Choose a paved route: Ridgefield Trace is paved along Route 14, and the H.U.M. Trail is paved too. Skip the dirt and gravel parts of the Prairie Trail after heavy rain, and check manager pages for closures before you load the bike.
What not to ride in Mchenry County
Sidewalks: Illinois law does not allow low-speed eBikes on sidewalks. That applies in every county town. Use the road, a bike lane or a bicycle path instead, and walk your bike where you must use a sidewalk.
Electric dirt bikes without pedals in McHenry: The City of McHenry does not allow electric dirt bikes with no pedal assist, or gas powered devices of the same type, on streets, sidewalks, in parks or on any public property. They are limited to private property with the owner's consent.
Paths where signs say no: State law lets the municipality, county or local authority prohibit eBikes or a class of eBikes on a bicycle path. No such ban was found on the manager pages, but a posted sign settles it. The Bull Valley Road path is described as suitable for non-motorized uses, so check signs there.
Loose gravel and dirt: Parts of the Prairie Trail have dirt and gravel. A heavy eBike on thin tires can slide or bog down in loose stone. Slow down, widen your turns, and think twice after rain. Paved routes are the safer pick then.
When to ride Mchenry County
Illinois has hot, humid summers and cold winters, so spring through fall is the usual riding season. Summer afternoons can be hot, so ride early or late. Winter snow and ice can make paths slick, and unpaved sections may be soft after rain or thaw. Weekends are likely to be busier than weekdays on popular paths. Trail hours, seasonal closures and any park entry rules are not published here, so check the manager page or posted signs before you go.
Illinois eBike laws and route permission
Illinois defines a low-speed electric bicycle in 625 ILCS 5/1-140.10. It must have fully operable pedals and a motor under 750 watts. Class 1 motors assist only while you pedal and stop assisting at 20 mph. Class 2 motors can propel the bike without pedaling and stop assisting at 20 mph. Class 3 motors assist only while pedaling and stop at 28 mph. A low-speed eBike is not a moped or a motor driven cycle. Public Act 104-854 (SB 3484), signed August 26, 2026, takes effect January 1, 2027. It adds that any electric bicycle that is not low-speed counts as a motor driven cycle.
Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1517, bicycle rules apply to eBikes. You may ride on roads and in bike lanes. You may not ride on sidewalks. Today, you may use any bicycle path unless the municipality, county or local authority prohibits eBikes or a class. Class 3 riders must be 16 or older. A passenger under 16 may ride on a Class 3 only if the bike is built to carry one. On January 1, 2027, paths close only if a State agency with jurisdiction prohibits eBikes. Park, forest preserve, conservation and transit districts may regulate by ordinance. Class 1 and 2 riders must be 15 or older. Other units of local government, including home rule units, may not regulate eBikes after that date.
Illinois law has no helmet requirement for eBike riders, in the statute or in the Act. We checked the statute and the new Act, and neither adds one. Low-speed eBikes need no license and no registration. Still, a helmet is a smart choice, and some local rules or park rules may differ from what you expect, so check before you ride. For a fuller walkthrough, read our guide to Illinois eBike laws.
Who decides if you can ride a trail depends on the date. Right now, a municipality, county or local authority can prohibit eBikes, or a class of eBike, on a bicycle path. After January 1, 2027, a State agency with jurisdiction makes that call, and DNR rules come into play. Park districts, forest preserve districts, conservation districts and transit districts may also regulate by ordinance. Check the manager of the trail before you go, because a path open to bicycles is not always open to your class.
Managers may set limits by class, so know which class you own. Your eBike must carry a label showing its class, top assisted speed and wattage. Do not tamper with the bike's speed or power without relabeling it. Class 3 bikes need a speedometer, and Class 3 riders must be 16 or older. Trail speed limits come from the managing district, so look for posted signs and district ordinances. Stay off sidewalks while you travel to the trailhead.
Most routes here are managed by the McHenry County Conservation District. No eBike rule was found on its manager pages, so the state default applies. Low-speed eBikes may use bicycle paths unless the municipality, county or local authority prohibits them. Moraine Hills is managed as an Illinois state park. Posted signs are the final word on any route.
The City of McHenry has no local ordinance regulating eBikes. They follow state law and the rules of the road like pedal bicycles, and they must have pedals. The city does have a long-standing ordinance banning electric dirt bikes with no pedal assist, and gas powered devices of the same type, on streets, sidewalks, in parks and on public property.
Published sources disagree on several lengths. The Prairie Trail is 26.4 miles per TrailLink and 25.5 per the Ringwood brochure. Ridgefield Trace is 7.5 miles per the conservation district and 8 per TrailLink. The Hebron Trail is 4.8 miles per the conservation district and 2 plus 2.5 miles per the Ringwood brochure. Looking ahead, a state law (P.A. 104-854) takes effect January 1, 2027. It lets park, forest preserve and conservation districts regulate eBikes by ordinance, and it limits other local governments. It also sets Class 1 and 2 riders at 15 or older. The Bull Valley path extension is pending with no date published.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Prairie Trail?
It depends on the source. TrailLink lists 26.4 miles. The Ringwood Prairie Trail brochure says 25.5 miles. The McHenry County Conservation District manages it. Use the manager map to plan your exact start and finish, and leave extra battery for the return.
How long is Ridgefield Trace?
The McHenry County Conservation District gives 7.5 miles from Lake Ave in Woodstock to Walkup Ave in Crystal Lake. TrailLink lists 8 miles, with endpoints at 1275 Lake Ave and Walkup Rd at Veteran Acres Park. Both describe a paved trail along Route 14.
Where does Moraine Hills State Park Trail start?
Its westernmost trailhead is the McHenry lock and dam on the Fox River. The trail covers 11.4 miles in McHenry County on asphalt and crushed stone. It is managed as an Illinois state park, so follow posted park signs on eBikes.
Can I ride an electric dirt bike in McHenry?
Not if it has no pedal assist. The City of McHenry bans electric dirt bikes without pedal assist, and similar gas powered devices, on streets, sidewalks, in parks and on any public property. They are limited to private property with the owner's consent.
Can I ride my eBike on the sidewalk?
No. Illinois law does not allow low-speed eBikes on sidewalks. Ride on the road, in a bike lane, or on a bicycle path that has not banned eBikes. Walk the bike if you must use a sidewalk.
What do Class 1, 2 and 3 mean?
Class 1 gives assist only while pedaling and stops at 20 mph. Class 2 can power the bike with the motor alone and stops assisting at 20 mph. Class 3 gives assist only while pedaling and stops at 28 mph. Your eBike's label should show its class, so see Illinois eBike laws.
How long is the Hebron Trail?
The McHenry County Conservation District brochure says 4.8 miles, while the Ringwood brochure lists Hebron Trail West at 2 miles and East at 2.5 miles, and TrailLink's Prairie Trail page says Prairie Trail to Hebron Trail is 4 miles, so the reported distances do not agree.
Can I ride from the Bull Valley Road path to the Prairie Trail?
Not directly yet, the Bull Valley Road Shared-Use Path is 1.1 miles in McHenry. Plans are underway to extend it 4300 ft to meet the Prairie Trail, but no date is published. Check the manager map for the current connection.
All eBike shops in Mchenry County
Need a shop before you ride? See all Mchenry County eBike shops and compare listings by city.