Although Illinois is known for being home to Abraham Lincoln, the Windy City, and mouth-watering deep-dish pizza, the Prairie State boasts spectacular natural beauty.
Let’s uncover the best hiking trails from all corners of the state. These will help you experience the wild side of Illinois!
Starved Rock State Park
Known for its 18 dramatic canyons and waterfalls, Starved Rock offers 13 miles of interconnected trails that allow you to see this gorgeous scenery closely. All of the trails in the park are easy to moderate. Since many are connected, this is a great place for beginner hikers who want to put in a lot of mileage without going through difficult or technical trail sections.
Starved Rock State Park is just a short drive from Utica—a few hours southwest of Chicago. The visitors center is off Route 71, and you also get free parking there. The trails are open from dawn until dusk, and it is a pet-friendly area. One of the preferred times to visit here is to see the waterfalls at their best after a heavy rain.
Shawnee National Forest
The forest stretches from the Ohio River border to the Mississippi River and the Missouri border in Southern Illinois. It covers many great hiking trails, the most popular of which is the 4.5-mile Jackson Falls Trail.
Another one is the Little Grand Canyon Trail. The 3.4-mile loop trail is moderately challenging due to its 365-foot climb from the canyon floor to its rim. Once there, you can get incredible views of the Mississippi floodplain and the Big Muddy River. The trail starts easy at the top of the canyon, giving bird’s eye views of the oak and hickory forest below.
You can enter the deep canyon via a rugged trail surrounded by sandstone walls. From there, take a short walk along the canyon floor before ascending a natural stone staircase carved by water cascading down it. While the trail can be tough in places, the adventurous vibe of the outing will make you forget your burning thighs.
Rim Rock Recreation Area & Trail
If you prefer something a little shorter and easier, Rim Rock Recreation Area & Trail offers great views of the park’s natural beauty. The trail has two parts: the Upper Trail and the Lower Trail. The Upper Trail takes you along the remnants of a Native American rock wall.
The Lower Rim Rock Trail takes you down to a massive rock overhang that was once a resting point along the Underground Railroad. The Lower Trail is more difficult than the Upper Trail because of the steep inclines and stair structures. But the views of the rock formations make it worth the effort.
While you’re there, try not to miss the Garden of the Gods Observation Trail. It’s home to sandstone formations older than 320 million years! The ¼-mile trail is made of natural sandstone and offers magnificent views of the Garden of the Gods Wilderness. It is the most popular trail in the forest, so skip on weekends if you prefer to avoid the crowds!
Ferne Clyffe State Park
Situated in the center of Southern Illinois, a five-minute drive from Goreville, Ferne Clyffe State Park has several waterfalls and a collection of plants. The park also has many short trails for visitors who are short on time but still want to connect with nature for a little bit.
However, one of the best trails in the park is the challenging Happy Hollow Trail, which is nearly five miles long. The trail takes hikers past waterfalls, thick forests, scenic creeks, and a natural arch. As you hike, you’ll be rewarded with overlooks where you can stop and catch your breath, admiring the gorgeous landscape. This trail gives access to the campground if you want to spend the night in the park.
The bottom line
Are you eager to tighten up your hiking shoes and hit the trails in Illinois?! As you can see, there are trails for visitors of all ages. It is the perfect way to get to know the natural area of Illinois a little bit better and closer! If you would like to learn more about the different hiking trails, read our blogs here. You can also find a ton of great travel tips and tricks for places around the country.
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