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, some of the best hikes in Illinois 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.
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. If you're looking for scenic hikes in Illinois, you've found a great one!
Read more about Johnson Trail.
Salt Lick Point Land And Water Reserve, Valmeyer, IL 62295, USA
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!
Learn more about Makanda.
Trillium Trail, 2478-2512 Stonefort Rd, Makanda, IL 62958, USA
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 and makes for a great kid-friendly hike in Illinois.
Check out more about Piney Creek Ravine Nature Preserve Loop.
Piney Creek Ravine Nature Preserve, Piney Creek Rd, Ava, IL 62907, USA
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.
Find out more about Dead River and Dunes Loop Trail.
Zion, IL 60099, USA
5. Joliet Iron Works Historic Site Trails Loop, Joliet
It's not often you can learn some history while hiking, but here at Joliet Iron Works you can! This trail is a nice easy hike in Illinois 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."
Joliet Iron Works Historic Site, 31 Columbia St, Joliet, IL 60432, USA
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.
Read more about Savanna, Illinois.
Sentinel Trail, 13834 IL-84, Savanna, IL 61074, USA
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 and a great scenic hike in Illinois.
Find out more about Clinton, Illiinois.
Weldon Springs Road, Weldon Springs Rd, Texas Township, IL 61727, USA
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.
See more about Nippersink Trail.
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.
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, 10820 Riverview Dr, St. Louis, MO 63137, USA
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.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Illinois
July 09, 2022
Danielle Schwartz
What are the best waterfall hikes in Illinois?
When you're looking for lovely summer adventures, there's nothing quite like the best waterfall hikes in Illinois! Check out Ferne Clyffe Waterfall Trail in Shawnee National Forest for a hike that isn't quite as crowded as the more well-known places in the state. Lover's Leap Overlook Trail features an incredible U-shaped waterfall that drops down onto the landing where you'll be. There's a magical feeling about being there!
What is the best wildflower hike in Illinois?
When the weather warms up, you might decide you want to frolic in the flower fields and feel like a kid again. We have an excellent suggestion for the best wildflower hike in Illinois for you and the family to take together in the warm months of the year. Head to Rocky Bluff Trail in Makanda for an incredible 1.8 mile-long hike through some of the prettiest flowers you've ever seen in the wild. There's nothing like some gorgeous and colorful flowers to make you glad you live in our lovely state. You'll find lots of different species here, and you're sure to love them all.
What are some kid-friendly hikes in Illinois?
When you're traveling with your whole family, you'll be on the lookout for easy hikes in Illinois that everyone can do, including the kids! Saint Louis Canyon Trail in Utica is a great choice for a cool hike to show your children the beauty of nature without tiring them out too much. It's under an hour, so it will be a nice foray into the outdoors and won't take up the whole day. Another great option is Busse Woods Loop Trail in Elk Grove Village, which is sure to delight everyone with its beautiful lake view. You can even bring your furry friend to join in the family fun!
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I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I've worked in the entertainment industry for much of my adult life and I love photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world! Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream.
