Hiking is one of the most fulfilling activities that there is, because it immerses you in nature and exposes you to worlds you never knew existed. But a lot of people don’t hike because they are intimidated. They feel like they aren’t in good enough shape to hike. But people of all fitness levels can hike. It’s all about starting out on trails that aren’t too hard, and then working your way up. So start with these 10 trails that are some of the best hikes in Illinois. Next time you search “hiking trails near me” in Illinois, keep an eye out for these gems!
- Illinois Beach State Park
Peter Ciro/Flickr This park includes some of the very best stretches of Lake Michigan shoreline. The Dead River trail is naturally surfaced (sand) and goes through the wetlands. Illinois Beach State Park Road, Illinois Beach State Park Rd, Zion, IL 60099, USA
- Starved Rock State Park
Arturo Hurtado/Flickr This park has canyons, waterfalls, and enough scenic overlooks to make anyone happy. It is a choose your own adventure kind of park. Walk as far or short as you want. You can see a canyon (French Canyon) within .4 miles from the visitors center. Starved Rock State Park, 2678 E 875th Rd, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA
- Cache River State Natural Area
Wikimedia Commons/Miguel.v You can see an incredible world that looks like something out of the deep South. Large, bald cypress trees emerge from the bog. The best path you can take is the Todd-Fink Heron Pond Trail, a fairly flat trail that takes you right through the trees.
- Waterfall Glen
Brian Jelonek/Flickr This is one of those great secrets that not too many people know about. Water crashes down glacier rock. There are 11 total miles of trails. Crushed limestone makes this fairly easy to hike. Waterfall Glen, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
- Ferne Clyffe State Park
Anthony George/Flickr Large rocks and waterfalls, along with fresh ferns, characterize this park. The waterfall trail is only .75 miles and leads right to the waterfall. The Big Rock Hollow Trail is .75 miles and leads to a 100 foot tall waterfall. Both trails are some of the best hikes in Illinois! Ferne Clyffe State Park, Goreville Rd, Goreville, IL, USA
- Giant City State Park
David Wilson/Flickr Walk between large boulders and among wild rock formations. There is a 13 mile loop. Hike as far or short as you want. Not too far in, you will see amazing rocks. Giant City State Park, 235 Giant City Rd, Makanda, IL 62958, USA
- Mississippi Palisades State Park
moistpics3/Flickr This park offers some of the most gorgeous views of the Mississippi River. You can hike among the large, 500 foot bluffs. The park has north and south divisions. Trails in the north part are much less strenuous. Mississippi Palisades State Park, 16327A IL-84, Savanna, IL 61074, USA
- Matthiessen State Park
Curtis Abert/Flickr Hike through upper and lower dells, around waterfalls, and by canyons. There are five miles of trails. Pretty much every trail is fair game, but the lower dells might be a little challenging for first-time hikers. Matthiessen State Park, 2500 IL-178, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA
- Garden of the Gods
Justin Meissen/Flickr This is one of the best views of Illinois. Walk among these 320 million year old bluffs. The Garden of the Gods Observation Trail is only .5 miles long. Garden of the Gods, Herod, IL 62947, USA
- Castle Rock State Park
David Wilson/Flickr This park is right on the Rock River, and you can see all of the rolling topography this area is known for. These are 6 total miles of trails. Take the Wildlife Viewing trail which is just 1 mile long. Castle Rock State Park, 1365 W Castle Rd, Oregon, IL 61061, USA
Don’t forget to check out our previous article for more of the best hikes in Illinois!
Peter Ciro/Flickr
This park includes some of the very best stretches of Lake Michigan shoreline. The Dead River trail is naturally surfaced (sand) and goes through the wetlands.
Illinois Beach State Park Road, Illinois Beach State Park Rd, Zion, IL 60099, USA
Arturo Hurtado/Flickr
This park has canyons, waterfalls, and enough scenic overlooks to make anyone happy. It is a choose your own adventure kind of park. Walk as far or short as you want. You can see a canyon (French Canyon) within .4 miles from the visitors center.
Starved Rock State Park, 2678 E 875th Rd, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA
Wikimedia Commons/Miguel.v
You can see an incredible world that looks like something out of the deep South. Large, bald cypress trees emerge from the bog. The best path you can take is the Todd-Fink Heron Pond Trail, a fairly flat trail that takes you right through the trees.
Brian Jelonek/Flickr
This is one of those great secrets that not too many people know about. Water crashes down glacier rock. There are 11 total miles of trails. Crushed limestone makes this fairly easy to hike.
Waterfall Glen, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
Anthony George/Flickr
Large rocks and waterfalls, along with fresh ferns, characterize this park. The waterfall trail is only .75 miles and leads right to the waterfall. The Big Rock Hollow Trail is .75 miles and leads to a 100 foot tall waterfall. Both trails are some of the best hikes in Illinois!
Ferne Clyffe State Park, Goreville Rd, Goreville, IL, USA
David Wilson/Flickr
Walk between large boulders and among wild rock formations. There is a 13 mile loop. Hike as far or short as you want. Not too far in, you will see amazing rocks.
Giant City State Park, 235 Giant City Rd, Makanda, IL 62958, USA
moistpics3/Flickr
This park offers some of the most gorgeous views of the Mississippi River. You can hike among the large, 500 foot bluffs. The park has north and south divisions. Trails in the north part are much less strenuous.
Mississippi Palisades State Park, 16327A IL-84, Savanna, IL 61074, USA
Curtis Abert/Flickr
Hike through upper and lower dells, around waterfalls, and by canyons. There are five miles of trails. Pretty much every trail is fair game, but the lower dells might be a little challenging for first-time hikers.
Matthiessen State Park, 2500 IL-178, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA
Justin Meissen/Flickr
This is one of the best views of Illinois. Walk among these 320 million year old bluffs. The Garden of the Gods Observation Trail is only .5 miles long.
Garden of the Gods, Herod, IL 62947, USA
This park is right on the Rock River, and you can see all of the rolling topography this area is known for. These are 6 total miles of trails. Take the Wildlife Viewing trail which is just 1 mile long.
Castle Rock State Park, 1365 W Castle Rd, Oregon, IL 61061, USA
Do you have a favorite easy hike in Illinois? Tell us about it on our nomination page, and you just might see your suggestion featured in an upcoming article.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Illinois May 04, 2022 Katie Lawrence Are there any kid-friendly hikes around Illinois? If you have any pint-sized adventurers in your nest, Illinois is the absolute best place to be. Every corner of the state is full of easy trails with incredible payoffs that the whole family is sure to enjoy. One of our favorite kid-friendly hikes around Illinois is the Garden of the Gods Observation Trail, located in the Garden of the Gods Wilderness. This half-mile stroll leads to breathtaking views of unique sandstone rock formations and the vast Shawnee National Forest. Hikers young and old will have a great time on this short and sweet trek! What are some of the most scenic hikes in Illinois? If scenic hikes in Illinois are what you seek, it doesn’t get much better than Starved Rock State Park. This vast wilderness area features towering sandstone canyons formed by glacial meltwater. Several of these canyons - as if they weren’t breathtaking enough already - also boast waterfalls that are active in the spring and after heavy rain. There are hiking trails of all lengths and difficulties in the park, so all ages and skill levels can enjoy this Illinois treasure. Where can I find easy hikes in Illinois? Sometimes, you just want to enjoy Mother Nature’s infinite beauty without working up too much of a sweat. Luckily, there are plenty of easy hikes in Illinois that allow you to do just that! One of our favorites is the Giant City Nature Trail at Giant City State Park. This .9-mile loop is short, sweet, and mostly flat, so it’s suitable for almost everyone. Plus, the series of rock formations along the way will leave you in awe!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Illinois
May 04, 2022
Katie Lawrence
Are there any kid-friendly hikes around Illinois? If you have any pint-sized adventurers in your nest, Illinois is the absolute best place to be. Every corner of the state is full of easy trails with incredible payoffs that the whole family is sure to enjoy. One of our favorite kid-friendly hikes around Illinois is the Garden of the Gods Observation Trail, located in the Garden of the Gods Wilderness. This half-mile stroll leads to breathtaking views of unique sandstone rock formations and the vast Shawnee National Forest. Hikers young and old will have a great time on this short and sweet trek! What are some of the most scenic hikes in Illinois? If scenic hikes in Illinois are what you seek, it doesn’t get much better than Starved Rock State Park. This vast wilderness area features towering sandstone canyons formed by glacial meltwater. Several of these canyons - as if they weren’t breathtaking enough already - also boast waterfalls that are active in the spring and after heavy rain. There are hiking trails of all lengths and difficulties in the park, so all ages and skill levels can enjoy this Illinois treasure. Where can I find easy hikes in Illinois? Sometimes, you just want to enjoy Mother Nature’s infinite beauty without working up too much of a sweat. Luckily, there are plenty of easy hikes in Illinois that allow you to do just that! One of our favorites is the Giant City Nature Trail at Giant City State Park. This .9-mile loop is short, sweet, and mostly flat, so it’s suitable for almost everyone. Plus, the series of rock formations along the way will leave you in awe!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
If you have any pint-sized adventurers in your nest, Illinois is the absolute best place to be. Every corner of the state is full of easy trails with incredible payoffs that the whole family is sure to enjoy. One of our favorite kid-friendly hikes around Illinois is the Garden of the Gods Observation Trail, located in the Garden of the Gods Wilderness. This half-mile stroll leads to breathtaking views of unique sandstone rock formations and the vast Shawnee National Forest. Hikers young and old will have a great time on this short and sweet trek!
What are some of the most scenic hikes in Illinois?
If scenic hikes in Illinois are what you seek, it doesn’t get much better than Starved Rock State Park. This vast wilderness area features towering sandstone canyons formed by glacial meltwater. Several of these canyons - as if they weren’t breathtaking enough already - also boast waterfalls that are active in the spring and after heavy rain. There are hiking trails of all lengths and difficulties in the park, so all ages and skill levels can enjoy this Illinois treasure.
Where can I find easy hikes in Illinois?
Sometimes, you just want to enjoy Mother Nature’s infinite beauty without working up too much of a sweat. Luckily, there are plenty of easy hikes in Illinois that allow you to do just that! One of our favorites is the Giant City Nature Trail at Giant City State Park. This .9-mile loop is short, sweet, and mostly flat, so it’s suitable for almost everyone. Plus, the series of rock formations along the way will leave you in awe!
