4 Cool And Calming Hikes To Take In Illinois To Help You Reflect On The Year Ahead
When the air becomes crisp and the weather threatens snow, it can be a challenge to get outside, but it is also the perfect time to go on one of these best winter hikes in Illinois. Clear your mind and find tranquility along these less-trafficked paths. They will give you the perfect opportunity to reflect on the past year and the one to come. Scroll on for details about the best places to go on a winter walk in the Land of Lincoln.
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
The first on our list of the best winter hikes in Illinois is at the Sag Valley Forest Preserve in Palos Hills. This interconnecting system of loop trails takes hikers to the most remote parts of Cook County and is made up of unpaved trails. It is ideal for walking, biking, dog-walking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. It is open year-round between sunrise and sunset and contains about 20 miles of trails, so you're likely to have space to yourself.
Arguably the most popular state park in the state, this wonderland of waterfalls, trails, and forestry is made even more magnificent during winter. Frozen waterfalls, ice-coated branches, and snow-covered paths turn this 2,630-acre area into a whole new world, and the cold weather means fewer visitors. This is one of the best places for winter hiking in Illinois.
This museum of trees is no less magnificent during the winter months, which is why it remains open all year long. Even after its holiday lights event ends, this place remains a popular place to explore regardless of the weather. It is home to more than 4,000 plant species and spans 1,700 acres.
Situated right across the Illinois River from Starved Rock State Park is a lesser-known state park that is worth a trip from any part of the state. It encompasses nearly 300 acres and has been part of the state since 1928. Once an island, this is a fabulous spot for a winter picnic and some winter hiking in Illinois.
What other trails would you consider to be the best winter hikes in Illinois? Share your favorites with us in the comments.
Address: Starved Rock State Park, 2678 E 875th Rd, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA
Address: The Morton Arboretum, 4100 IL-53, Lisle, IL 60532, USA
Address: Sag Valley Trail, Palos Park, IL, USA
Address: Buffalo Rock State Park, 1300 N 27th Rd, Ottawa, IL 61350, USA
Address: Palos Hills, IL 60465, USA
Address: 4100 IL-53, Lisle, IL 60532, USA
Address: Buffalo Rock State Park, 1300 N 27th Rd, Ottawa, IL 61350, USA
Address: 2678 E 875th Rd, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Winter Hikes In Illinois
December 12, 2021
Melissa M.
What are some of the best winter outdoor activities in Illinois?
While it’s cold and snowy in Illinois in the winter, it doesn’t mean we have to spend all our time indoors. There are plenty of outdoor activities to be found around the state during the cold months. You can try horseback riding at White Pines Ranch or perhaps ice skating along the skating ribbon at Maggie Daley Park in Chicago may be something of interest to you. You can find a few more ideas for the winter months in this post.
Are there any cabins I can stay at in winter in Illinois?
How would you like a weekend getaway to a cozy cabin in the woods? There are many cabins around the state that are in or close to a state park or you can try an Airbnb cabin with a hot tub. Read our post, Soak In A Hot Tub Surrounded By Natural Beauty At These 5 Cabins In Illinois, to start planning your cozy overnight stay.
Where can I go snow tubing in Illinois?
Snow tubing is one of the best activities you can do in the winter in Illinois. You can head to Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve and go snow tubing down a 40-foot hill. Located in Warrenville, Blackwell Forest Preserve has one of the longest, if not THE longest, snow tubing hill in the state.
Address: Starved Rock State Park, 2678 E 875th Rd, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA
Address: The Morton Arboretum, 4100 IL-53, Lisle, IL 60532, USA
Address: Sag Valley Trail, Palos Park, IL, USA
Address: Buffalo Rock State Park, 1300 N 27th Rd, Ottawa, IL 61350, USA
Address: Palos Hills, IL 60465, USA
Address: 4100 IL-53, Lisle, IL 60532, USA
Address: Buffalo Rock State Park, 1300 N 27th Rd, Ottawa, IL 61350, USA
Address: 2678 E 875th Rd, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA
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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.
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