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18 Best Hikes in Illinois: The Top-Rated Hiking Trails to Visit in 2023

18 Best Hikes in Illinois: The Top-Rated Hiking Trails to Visit in 2023

Aptly nicknamed “The Prairie State,” Illinois is a natural wonderland known especially for its peaceful, sprawling meadows, farmland, gentle rolling hills, and wetlands. Of course, this state has more to show off than prairies. With dramatic rock formations, canyons and valleys, scenic bluffs, lakes and rivers, and even cascading waterfalls,...

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Explore A Little-Known Arboretum In This Small Illinois Country Town

Explore A Little-Known Arboretum In This Small Illinois Country Town

The 3-Mile Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area Trail Might Just Be The Most Enchanting Hike In Illinois

The 3-Mile Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area Trail Might Just Be The Most Enchanting Hike In Illinois

The Rugged And Remote Hiking Trail In Illinois That Is Well-Worth The Effort

The Rugged And Remote Hiking Trail In Illinois That Is Well-Worth The Effort

Explore This Secret Trail Around One Of The Only National Historic Sites In Illinois

Explore This Secret Trail Around One Of The Only National Historic Sites In Illinois

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Around Illinois

The Illinois Trail With An Overlook You Just Can’t Beat

The Illinois Trail With An Overlook You Just Can’t Beat

A Bike Trail Runs Through These Illinois Towns And It’s The Ultimate Outdoor Playground

A Bike Trail Runs Through These Illinois Towns And It’s The Ultimate Outdoor Playground

Hike Past Seven Stunning Lagoons On The Skokie Lagoon Trail In Illinois

Hike Past Seven Stunning Lagoons On The Skokie Lagoon Trail In Illinois

By Melissa Mahoney

The Magnificent Overlook In Illinois That’s Worthy Of A Little Adventure

The Magnificent Overlook In Illinois That’s Worthy Of A Little Adventure

By Melissa Mahoney

The Hike To This Gorgeous Illinois Swimming Hole Is Everything You Could Imagine

The Hike To This Gorgeous Illinois Swimming Hole Is Everything You Could Imagine

By Catherine Armstrong

11 Incredible Hikes Under 5 Miles Everyone In Illinois Should Take

11 Incredible Hikes Under 5 Miles Everyone In Illinois Should Take

The Ultimate Bucket List For Anyone In Illinois Who Loves Waterfall Hikes

The Ultimate Bucket List For Anyone In Illinois Who Loves Waterfall Hikes

By Elizabeth Crozier

Few People Know There’s A Beautiful State Park Hiding In This Tiny Illinois Town

Few People Know There’s A Beautiful State Park Hiding In This Tiny Illinois Town

A Bit Of An Unexpected Natural Wonder, Few People Know There Are Moss-Covered Cliffs Hiding In Illinois

A Bit Of An Unexpected Natural Wonder, Few People Know There Are Moss-Covered Cliffs Hiding In Illinois

10 Easy Hikes To Add To Your Outdoor Bucket List In Illinois

10 Easy Hikes To Add To Your Outdoor Bucket List In Illinois

There Are More Birds Than There Are Miles Along This Beautiful Hiking Trail In Illinois

There Are More Birds Than There Are Miles Along This Beautiful Hiking Trail In Illinois

The Marvelous 4.8-Mile Trail In Illinois Leads Adventurers To A Little-Known Scenic Overlook

The Marvelous 4.8-Mile Trail In Illinois Leads Adventurers To A Little-Known Scenic Overlook

You’d Never Know One Of The Most Incredible Natural Wonders In Illinois Is Hiding In This Tiny Park

You’d Never Know One Of The Most Incredible Natural Wonders In Illinois Is Hiding In This Tiny Park

There’s A Canyon In Illinois That Resembles Antelope Canyon, But Hardly Anyone Knows It Exists

There’s A Canyon In Illinois That Resembles Antelope Canyon, But Hardly Anyone Knows It Exists

12 Picturesque Trails In Illinois That Are Perfect For Winter Hiking

12 Picturesque Trails In Illinois That Are Perfect For Winter Hiking

By Stephanie Andrews

4 Cool And Calming Hikes To Take In Illinois To Help You Reflect On The Year Ahead

4 Cool And Calming Hikes To Take In Illinois To Help You Reflect On The Year Ahead

By Elizabeth Crozier

The Illinois Rail Trail Where You Can Walk Across Two Historic Railroad Bridges Is A Grand Adventure

The Illinois Rail Trail Where You Can Walk Across Two Historic Railroad Bridges Is A Grand Adventure

Enjoy An Unexpectedly Magical Hike On This Little-Known Forest Trail In Illinois

Enjoy An Unexpectedly Magical Hike On This Little-Known Forest Trail In Illinois

There’s A Little-Known Nature Trail Just Waiting For Illinois Explorers

There’s A Little-Known Nature Trail Just Waiting For Illinois Explorers

These 5 Illinois Forest Trails Will Bring Out Your Adventurous Side

These 5 Illinois Forest Trails Will Bring Out Your Adventurous Side

By Carolyn Harmon

The Grove Loop Is A Boardwalk Hike In Illinois That Leads To A Secret Historic Site

The Grove Loop Is A Boardwalk Hike In Illinois That Leads To A Secret Historic Site

Rebman Trail Is A Beginner-Friendly Waterfall Trail In Illinois That’s Great For A Family Hike

Rebman Trail Is A Beginner-Friendly Waterfall Trail In Illinois That’s Great For A Family Hike

By Christina Arrascaeta

The Easy 2.1-Mile Saint Louis Canyon Trail Will Lead You Through The Illinois Woods

The Easy 2.1-Mile Saint Louis Canyon Trail Will Lead You Through The Illinois Woods

Hike Through An Abandoned Railway In Illinois For An Incredible Terrestrial Adventure

Hike Through An Abandoned Railway In Illinois For An Incredible Terrestrial Adventure

By Carolyn Harmon

Whiskey Cave Loop Trail In Illinois Is Full Of Awe-Inspiring Rock Formations

Whiskey Cave Loop Trail In Illinois Is Full Of Awe-Inspiring Rock Formations

These 10 Gorgeous Waterfront Trails In Illinois Are Perfect For A Summer Day

These 10 Gorgeous Waterfront Trails In Illinois Are Perfect For A Summer Day

The Hike To Illinois’ Pretty Little Lake Katherine Is Short And Sweet

The Hike To Illinois’ Pretty Little Lake Katherine Is Short And Sweet

The Exhilarating Suspension Bridge Hike In Illinois That Everyone Must Experience At Least Once

The Exhilarating Suspension Bridge Hike In Illinois That Everyone Must Experience At Least Once

Take A Paved Loop Trail Around This Illinois Lake For A Peaceful Adventure

Take A Paved Loop Trail Around This Illinois Lake For A Peaceful Adventure

Here Are 3 Of The Most Refreshing Waterfront Trails You Can Take In Illinois

Here Are 3 Of The Most Refreshing Waterfront Trails You Can Take In Illinois

9 Amazing Illinois Hikes Under 3 Miles You’ll Absolutely Love

9 Amazing Illinois Hikes Under 3 Miles You’ll Absolutely Love

By Melissa Mahoney

Family hikes in Illinois

If There Are Only 3 Family Hikes You Ever Take In Illinois, Follow These Easy Trails

If There Are Only 3 Family Hikes You Ever Take In Illinois, Follow These Easy Trails

3 Scenic Hiking Trails Surround The Small Town Of Zion, Illinois

3 Scenic Hiking Trails Surround The Small Town Of Zion, Illinois

By Carolyn Harmon

Scenic trails in illinois

Indian Point Trail Is A Gorgeous Forest Trail In Illinois That Will Take You To A Hidden Overlook

Indian Point Trail Is A Gorgeous Forest Trail In Illinois That Will Take You To A Hidden Overlook

Lover’s Leap Overlook Trail In Illinois Leads To One Of The Most Scenic Views In The State

Lover’s Leap Overlook Trail In Illinois Leads To One Of The Most Scenic Views In The State

Visit Happy Hollow Trail In Illinois, A Hidden Gem Trail That Has Its Very Own Waterfall

Visit Happy Hollow Trail In Illinois, A Hidden Gem Trail That Has Its Very Own Waterfall

Paddle The Nippersink Canoe Trail For A One-Of-A-Kind Illinois Adventure

Paddle The Nippersink Canoe Trail For A One-Of-A-Kind Illinois Adventure

By Melissa Mahoney

With Stream Crossings and Footbridges, The Little-Known Running Deer Trail In Illinois Is Unexpectedly Magical

With Stream Crossings and Footbridges, The Little-Known Running Deer Trail In Illinois Is Unexpectedly Magical

By Melissa Mahoney

10 Out Of This World Summer Day Trips To Take In Illinois

10 Out Of This World Summer Day Trips To Take In Illinois

By Elizabeth Crozier

The Amazing Tunnel Hill Rail Trail In Illinois Takes You Through An Abandoned Train Tunnel

The Amazing Tunnel Hill Rail Trail In Illinois Takes You Through An Abandoned Train Tunnel

By Melissa Mahoney

The Shawnee National Forest Is Home To The Most Dangerous Hikes In Illinois

The Shawnee National Forest Is Home To The Most Dangerous Hikes In Illinois

By Elizabeth Crozier

Hike Through A Sea Of Bluebells Along The Hidden Acres Park Loop In Illinois

Hike Through A Sea Of Bluebells Along The Hidden Acres Park Loop In Illinois

By Melissa Mahoney

The Giant City Nature Trail Might Be One Of The Most Beautiful Short-And-Sweet Hikes To Take In Illinois

The Giant City Nature Trail Might Be One Of The Most Beautiful Short-And-Sweet Hikes To Take In Illinois

By Elisa Regulski

The Creepiest Hike In Illinois Takes You Through The Ruins Of An Abandoned Cemetery

The Creepiest Hike In Illinois Takes You Through The Ruins Of An Abandoned Cemetery

By Melissa Mahoney

Enjoy A Contemplative Stroll In An Old-Growth Forest Along This Underrated Trail In Illinois

Enjoy A Contemplative Stroll In An Old-Growth Forest Along This Underrated Trail In Illinois

By Melissa Mahoney

7 Illinois Trails That Lead To Simply Spectacular Lake Views

7 Illinois Trails That Lead To Simply Spectacular Lake Views

By Melissa Mahoney

The One Loop Trail In Illinois That’s Perfect For A Short Day Hike, No Matter What Time Of Year

The One Loop Trail In Illinois That’s Perfect For A Short Day Hike, No Matter What Time Of Year

By Melissa Mahoney

You Can Hike To A Creek, Go Antiquing, And Drink Margaritas In Sandwich, Illinois

You Can Hike To A Creek, Go Antiquing, And Drink Margaritas In Sandwich, Illinois

By Melissa Mahoney

This Secluded Cave In Illinois Is So Worthy Of An Adventure

This Secluded Cave In Illinois Is So Worthy Of An Adventure

By Melissa Mahoney

Follow This 2.3-Mile Trail In Illinois To A Hidden Cave And Unique Rock Formations

Follow This 2.3-Mile Trail In Illinois To A Hidden Cave And Unique Rock Formations

By Melissa Mahoney

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