9 Amazing Illinois Hikes Under 3 Miles You’ll Absolutely Love
Not all hikes have to be full-day excursions for hardcore outdoor enthusiasts. In fact, there are numerous hikes around the Prairie State that are just a few miles and you’ll still get the benefits of exercise and fresh air while experiencing incredible views. These hikes are all under three miles and, at a leisurely pace, can be completed in less than two hours.
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This 2.9-mile loop trail resides in the Salt Lick Point Land and Water Rescue and leads up the bluffs to the highest point in the county. Along the way, you will see a variety of wildflowers, rocks, and a cave.
At the ever-enchanting Giant City State Park, hiking along the 1.3-mile Trillium Trail will lead you past rock formations and towering bluffs. It's quite a fun and memorable hike!
At Piney Creek Ravine, you will find a waterfall along this two-mile pathway. And even though this waterfall is a stunning sight, another feature you'll see is a rock with approximately 200 prehistoric art designs dating back about 1,000 years ago. It's absolutely fascinating to see!
This Illinois Beach State Park trail is 2.5 miles long and features a fascinating landscape. You'll enjoy hiking through dunes, marshland, and forest and seeing the abundance of wildlife, plants, grasses, and wildflowers.
It's not often you can learn some history while hiking, but here at Joliet Iron Works you can! With a 1.4-mile accessible loop trail, you can see what remains of the former iron works and learn about why Joliet is known as the "City of Iron and Steel."
The Sentinel Trail is 1.1-miles long and located in Mississippi Palisades Park. This trail provides a family-friendly hike uphill where you can view Sentinel Rock and the Mississippi River below.
The 1.9-mile accessible Weldon Springs Trail loops around a picturesque lake. Along with water views, there is plenty of forest, wildflowers, and wildlife around for an ideal day out in nature.
The 1.3-mile Nippersink Trail loop is an accessible trail featuring compacted gravel and is partially paved with a bridge and a boardwalk that has barriers. Along this pathway, you will pass through forest and by the lake and streams where catch-and-release fishing is allowed.
Spanning a mile over the Mississippi River, Chain of Rocks Bridge was used by cars traveling along historic Route 66 for over 30 years. Now a 2.1-mile out-and-back pedestrian paved walkway, you can make your way from Illinois into Missouri with incredible views of the river along the way. This is an accessible trail for wheelchairs and strollers, although there is a bit of a steep grade for the first part of the trek.
Have you traveled along any of the trails on this list? Please let us know your experience and what your favorite trails are around the Prairie State.
A few trails on this list are considered accessible. For more accessible trails, head to our previous paved trails article.
Address: Valmeyer, IL 62295, USA
Address: 2478 Stonefort Rd, Makanda, IL 62958, USA
Address: Piney Creek Rd, Illinois, USA
Address: Illinois Beach State Park Rd, Zion, IL 60099, USA
Address: Columbia St, Joliet, IL 60432, USA
Address: 13834 IL-84, Savanna, IL 61074, USA
Address: 4734 Weldon Springs Rd, Clinton, IL 61727, USA
Address: 900 W Belvidere Rd, Round Lake, IL 60073, USA
Address: 4205-4207 Chain of Rocks Rd, Granite City, IL 62040, USA
