If There Are Only 5 Hikes You Ever Do In Illinois, Make Them These
We get it, some people just aren’t into the outdoors. Maybe you want to see some beautiful places in Illinois, but don’t care to journey out over every trek out there. If you are looking for the absolute best of the best hikes in Illinois, look no further! These are the five that are definitely worth dusting off your old gym shoes for. These scenic routes will take you through the state’s most fascinating landscapes. They should be at the top of anyone’s Illinois hiking bucket list. Even if you aren’t typically a hiker and don’t want to get out there and explore a trail every weekend, these hikes are more than worth making the effort for. Check them out:
1. Lowden-Miller River Loop in the Lowden-Miller State Forest: 1365 W. Castle Rock Rd, Oregon, IL 61061
Not far from Rockford is the little town of Oregon, which is home to the beautiful 2,291-acre Lowden-Miller Forest. There, you'll find a 4.7-mile loop trail that is one of the most scenic hikes in Illinois. You'll go past Rock River, 120-foot bluffs, and other natural wonders. This is such a beautiful hike in a very underrated forest!
2. Garden of the Gods Recreation Area in Shawnee National Forest: Herod, IL 62947
Garden of the Gods Road, Garden of the Gods Rd, Illinois, USA
The Garden of the Gods Recreation Area is a hiking area that is part of the Shawnee National Forest. This trail is way at the very bottom of the state. It might not sound like much: at only 0.25 miles, it's much shorter than you'd expect a bucket-list hike to be. But what a quarter-mile it is! You'll see some truly amazing sights in this short hike, including rocks that are as high as 300 feet tall. There are so many rock formations here that show a fascinating history of water and wind erosion. This is such a unique place that's every bit as beautiful as its name suggests.
This gravel trail is longer than most on this list: at 31.4 miles, it travels through almost all of Lake County. This is one you probably don't want to attempt the entire length of if you aren't already an experienced hiker, but there's nothing stopping even a novice from partially completing the trail! The trail follows the mighty Des Plaines River, which is completely surrounded by a nature preserve. It connects neighborhoods to one another and also nature. There are various access points all throughout the trail with entrances, so you don't have to take the entire trek by any means. There are also plenty of covered picnic tables and benches for resting throughout. This one definitely belongs on your bucket list of best hikes in Illinois!
4. Rim Rock Recreational Trail in Shawnee National Forest: Eagle Creek, RR 1 Box 198B, Findlay, IL 62534
Eagle Creek State Recreation Area, 2341 Eagle Creek Road, Findlay, IL 62534, USA
This 1.7-mile loop trail is a great option for those looking for kid-friendly hikes around Illinois or who aren't looking for something too strenuous. You'll be lead around a large rock and then down stairs to the valley floor of the Shawnee National Forest. One of the most notable landmarks on the trail is the aptly-named Fat Man's Misery, a narrow passage through the walls of the earth. It is pretty spectacular, but has the tendency to be overlooked because it's so close to the magnificent Garden of the Gods. This is a great family-friendly hike that everyone can enjoy.
5. Illinois Prairie Path: Cook/DuPane/Kane Counties, IL
This historic trail was the first successful North American rail-to-trail project. More than 61 miles of unused railroad were turned into walking/biking paths to create this beautiful hike back in 1963. It runs through some of northeastern Illinois's most scenic countryside. There are tons of great brides throughout the trail, so there are lots of opportunities to stop for some beautiful photographs. The line used to be part of the Chicago, Aurora, and Elgin Electric Railway and it's wonderful to see it being used for something else now that the rail line is out of business. Have you ever hiked a rails-to-trail project?
Have you ever taken one of these hikes? Or do you have another nominee for “best hikes in Illinois?” Share your thoughts in the comments!
Address: Des Plaines River Trail, Chicago, IL, USA
Address: Eagle Creek State Recreation Area, 2341 Eagle Creek Road, Findlay, IL 62534, USA
Address: Garden of the Gods Road, Garden of the Gods Rd, Illinois, USA
Address: Lowden - Miller Forest, Oregon, IL 61061, USA
Address: Illinois Prairie Path, Maywood, IL, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hiking Trails Near Me In Illinois
March 10, 2022
Lisa Sammons
What are some more kid-friendly hikes around Illinois?
Matthiessen State Park is one of our favorite state parks just because it’s got so many great trails, many of which are relatively short and suitable for kids. For more short and easy hikes in Illinois, check out this list.
What is another scenic hike in Illinois?
We can’t recommend Illinois Beach State Park enough! It’s got miles of trail right on Lake Michigan, and there’s something so special about a beach trail. Check out some other recommendations!
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
