It’s nice to get outside, enjoy fresh air, and exercise while taking in scenery that includes picturesque landscapes and water views.  Although you can’t access the ocean from Illinois, there are still some pretty trails throughout the state that include a lake walk. To help you figure out where to go to soak in water views on a summer day, take a look at the following waterfront trails in Illinois.

  1. Illinois Beach State Park (Zion)

Google/ Swapnil Ghodake Illinois Beach State Park offers 6.5 miles of gorgeous Lake Michigan beach. Walk on the beach or walk on the trails. The terrain is also very flat and easy for people of all skill levels. Illinois Beach State Park Road, Illinois Beach State Park Rd, Zion, IL 60099, USA

  1. Starved Rock State Park (Oglesby)

Lotzman Katzman/Flickr You’ll see a few water features at this park’s lake walk. But be sure to check out the stunning views of the Illinois River from the trail vantage point. Starved Rock State Park, 2678 E 875th Rd, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA

  1. Chicago Lakefront Trail (Chicago)

Sara D/Flickr Is there anything cooler than getting your workout in and having the lake on one side and buildings on the other? This might be one of the best urban waterfront hikes in Illinois for a date, as well! Lakefront Trail, Lakefront Trl, Chicago, IL, USA

  1. Old Chain of Rocks Bridge (Madison, IL to St. Louis, MO)

Doug Kerr/Flickr If you want a lake walk with a view, it doesn’t get better than Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. Yes, you really travel over the Mississippi from one state to another on this one-of-a-kind trail. Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, 10820 Riverview Dr, St. Louis, MO 63137, USA

  1. St. Charles

Rick Seidel/Flickr This quaint, small town has a lot to offer, but we really love this hike with water. Just walking by the river in town will make you feel incredibly happy. St. Charles, IL, USA

  1. Hebron Trail (McHenry County)

vx;a/Flickr The Hebron Trail is a hike with water that takes you through farmlands, meadows, and wetlands that offer picturesque views. Hebron Trail, 10100, 10106 Church St, Hebron, IL 60034, USA

  1. Mississippi Palisades State Park (Savanna)

CinCool/Flickr We would be remiss by not including the Mississippi Palisades State Park . You’ll be able to see giant bluffs onto the Mississippi River for an incredible view from this park. Mississippi Palisades State Park

  1. Lake of the Woods (Mahomet)

Amanda Landers/Flickr This 900-acre county park offers a scenic lake walk trail that includes a pretty bridge over water. The park also has a carillon and a botanical garden. Lake of the Woods, IL, USA

  1. Heron Pond (Vienna)

Anthony George/Flickr This boardwalk is like nothing you’ve ever experienced before, as you make your way through this hike with water, you’ll also go by a bog and past giant trees that are over 1,000 years old. Heron Pond Preserve, Vienna, IL 62995, USA

  1. Fox River Trail (Kane County)

vxla/Flickr The Fox River Trail spans many towns and is contained mostly in Kane County. Enjoy 40 miles of awesome hiking and biking along the river. Fox River Trail, Geneva, IL, USA

After you’ve hit these trails, feel free to share which ones were your favorites! And, if you’d like to check out more hikes with water and scenic views while you’re in Illinois, take a look at these trails.

Google/ Swapnil Ghodake

Illinois Beach State Park offers 6.5 miles of gorgeous Lake Michigan beach. Walk on the beach or walk on the trails. The terrain is also very flat and easy for people of all skill levels.

Illinois Beach State Park Road, Illinois Beach State Park Rd, Zion, IL 60099, USA

Lotzman Katzman/Flickr

You’ll see a few water features at this park’s lake walk. But be sure to check out the stunning views of the Illinois River from the trail vantage point.

Starved Rock State Park, 2678 E 875th Rd, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA

Sara D/Flickr

Is there anything cooler than getting your workout in and having the lake on one side and buildings on the other? This might be one of the best urban waterfront hikes in Illinois for a date, as well!

Lakefront Trail, Lakefront Trl, Chicago, IL, USA

Doug Kerr/Flickr

If you want a lake walk with a view, it doesn’t get better than Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. Yes, you really travel over the Mississippi from one state to another on this one-of-a-kind trail.

Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, 10820 Riverview Dr, St. Louis, MO 63137, USA

Rick Seidel/Flickr

This quaint, small town has a lot to offer, but we really love this hike with water. Just walking by the river in town will make you feel incredibly happy.

St. Charles, IL, USA

vx;a/Flickr

The Hebron Trail is a hike with water that takes you through farmlands, meadows, and wetlands that offer picturesque views.

Hebron Trail, 10100, 10106 Church St, Hebron, IL 60034, USA

CinCool/Flickr

We would be remiss by not including the Mississippi Palisades State Park . You’ll be able to see giant bluffs onto the Mississippi River for an incredible view from this park.

Mississippi Palisades State Park

Amanda Landers/Flickr

This 900-acre county park offers a scenic lake walk trail that includes a pretty bridge over water. The park also has a carillon and a botanical garden.

Lake of the Woods, IL, USA

Anthony George/Flickr

This boardwalk is like nothing you’ve ever experienced before, as you make your way through this hike with water, you’ll also go by a bog and past giant trees that are over 1,000 years old.

Heron Pond Preserve, Vienna, IL 62995, USA

vxla/Flickr

The Fox River Trail spans many towns and is contained mostly in Kane County. Enjoy 40 miles of awesome hiking and biking along the river.

Fox River Trail, Geneva, IL, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

hiking in illinois August 02, 2022 Marla S. What are the most beautiful hikes in Illinois? Along with the lake walks mentioned above, there are plenty of picturesque hikes throughout Illinois that are worth visiting, too. If you’re ready to hit a trail, check out these scenic hikes that include Primrose Nature Trail and more! The Giant City Nature Trail has also been coined as one of the most beautiful hikes in Illinois due to its unique landscape. What are the best waterfall hikes in Illinois? Some of the best hikes with water are trails leading to jaw-dropping waterfalls. To give you the opportunity to see as many as possible, check out this road trip to waterfall hikes in Illinois. Just like the lake walks scattered throughout the state, these waterfall hikes vary in size and distance. However, they’re all equally beautiful! Which hikes in Illinois are short and sweet? If you’d like to spend time outdoors with the children in your life, opt for a hike that’s short and sweet when you’re in Illinois. The good news is that you’ll have plenty to choose from. This includes the one-mile loop Trail at Lake Katherine. Along with this scenic destination, check out these other short and sweet trails in Illinois.

The OIYS Visitor Center

hiking in illinois

August 02, 2022

Marla S.

What are the most beautiful hikes in Illinois? Along with the lake walks mentioned above, there are plenty of picturesque hikes throughout Illinois that are worth visiting, too. If you’re ready to hit a trail, check out these scenic hikes that include Primrose Nature Trail and more! The Giant City Nature Trail has also been coined as one of the most beautiful hikes in Illinois due to its unique landscape. What are the best waterfall hikes in Illinois? Some of the best hikes with water are trails leading to jaw-dropping waterfalls. To give you the opportunity to see as many as possible, check out this road trip to waterfall hikes in Illinois. Just like the lake walks scattered throughout the state, these waterfall hikes vary in size and distance. However, they’re all equally beautiful! Which hikes in Illinois are short and sweet? If you’d like to spend time outdoors with the children in your life, opt for a hike that’s short and sweet when you’re in Illinois. The good news is that you’ll have plenty to choose from. This includes the one-mile loop Trail at Lake Katherine. Along with this scenic destination, check out these other short and sweet trails in Illinois.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Along with the lake walks mentioned above, there are plenty of picturesque hikes throughout Illinois that are worth visiting, too. If you’re ready to hit a trail, check out these scenic hikes that include Primrose Nature Trail and more! The Giant City Nature Trail has also been coined as one of the most beautiful hikes in Illinois due to its unique landscape.

What are the best waterfall hikes in Illinois?

Some of the best hikes with water are trails leading to jaw-dropping waterfalls. To give you the opportunity to see as many as possible, check out this road trip to waterfall hikes in Illinois. Just like the lake walks scattered throughout the state, these waterfall hikes vary in size and distance. However, they’re all equally beautiful!

Which hikes in Illinois are short and sweet?

If you’d like to spend time outdoors with the children in your life, opt for a hike that’s short and sweet when you’re in Illinois. The good news is that you’ll have plenty to choose from. This includes the one-mile loop Trail at Lake Katherine. Along with this scenic destination, check out these other short and sweet trails in Illinois.