For a magical hike that will make you think you’re anywhere but the Midwest, take a trip down one of these amazing paths. Leading to some of the most enchanting footbridges in Illinois, these are the best hikes in Illinois and everything you want in a nature adventure.

Spending time outside is more fun when you have a destination. Check out these unique bridges:

  1. Waterfall Glen Trail

AllTrails/Eric Qiu This 9.3-mile loop trail near Willowbrook is full of gorgeous natural attractions. In addition to this fairytale foot bridge, hikers will come across waterfalls, Sawmill Creek, prairie land, and woodland. It is part of the Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in Chicagoland. Waterfall Glen, Lemont, IL 60439, USA

  1. La Salle Canyon

AllTrails/Diaz 425 This is one of the fabulous kid-friendly hikes around Illinois through Starved Rock State Park, this 2.6-mile trail near Deer Park is full of rock formations and waterfalls. It crosses the Illinois River, giving pedestrians a lovely foot bridge to cross on the way to these natural attractions. Parkman’s Plain, River Trail, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA

  1. Illinois River Bluff Trail

AllTrails/Sandeep Uppalapati Illinois River Bluff Trail is among the most scenic hikes in Illinois. Located near Peoria, this popular trail is part of Robinson Park. To find this lovely foot bridge, you’ll take a five-mile loop trail through beautiful forestry. Illinois River Bluff Trail, trailhead at Camp Wokanda to trailend at Detweiller Park trailhead on, W Mossville Rd, Peoria, IL 61615, USA

  1. Sun Trail

AllTrails/Matt & Jody B This short trail leads to one of the most unique foot bridges in Illinois. Located in the Friends Creek County Park in Central Illinois, the trail is just 1.9 miles and is great for all sorts of nature adventures. This is one of the easy hikes in Illinois so bring the whole family! Friends Creek Township, IL, USA

  1. McDonald Woods Trail Loop

AllTrails/Ren Yekulis Located near Lake Villa is a loop trail that takes you along an interesting fairytale footbridge. The path lasts 3.2 miles and takes hikers deep into the forest of the McDonald Woods Forest Preserve where wildflowers, wildlife, and other great views abound. McDonald Woods Forest Preserve, 19611 W Grass Lake Rd, Lake Villa, IL 60046, USA

  1. Dells Canyon and Bluff Trail

AllTrails/Jason Reed Featuring several types of footbridges, this is one of the easy hikes in Illinois that leads to waterfalls and canyons that will blow your mind. The most popular trail in Matthiessen State Park, this two-mile path is wonderful year round. Matthiessen State Park, 2500 IL-178, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA

  1. Cap Sauers and Swallow Cliff Loop Trail

AllTrails/Jennifer Kirby The lovely bridge on this 7.6-mile loop trail crosses the Calumet River around Chicagoland near Palos Park and features wide paths and gorgeous views. One of the most scenic hikes in Illinois, It is great for biking, horseback riding, and hiking and is part of the Sag Valley Forest Preserve. Swallow Cliff Woods North, Palos Township, IL 60465, USA

  1. The Des Plaines River Trail

AllTrails/Dilan wani Located off the Des Plaines River in the Independence Grove County Forest Preserve near Libertyville is a hiking trail that locals love. Spanning nearly 22 miles, it leads hikers and bikers past woods and wildlife. 16400 Buckley Rd, Libertyville, IL 60048, USA

  1. Silver Lake Boy Scout Trail

AllTrails/Sara J Located in Silver Lake Park, this four-mile trail features is one of the most scenic hikes in Illinois and features a gorgeous footbridge you must see. It passes by Highland Silver Lake and is full of gorgeous views of the water. 3035 Highland Park Rd, Highland, IL 62249, USA

  1. Great River Trail

AllTrails/Kim Johnson Located in Fulton, this riverside trail is one of the best hikes in Illinois. At 18.1 miles, it offers some of the most amazing views of the Mississippi River in the whole state and leads to several places to sit and enjoy the scenery. Fulton, IL, USA

  1. Pine Dunes Trail

AllTrails/Adam J Located near our border with Wisconsin is a 2.5-mile loop trail that leads to one of the most magical footbridges in the state. It is located within Van Patton Woods Forest Preserve and is great for biking, hiking, birding, dog walking, and more. Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve, Route West Route 173, Wadsworth, IL 60083, USA

For more of the best hikes in Illinois, try these seven paved paths in Illinois that are accessible for anyone.

AllTrails/Eric Qiu

This 9.3-mile loop trail near Willowbrook is full of gorgeous natural attractions. In addition to this fairytale foot bridge, hikers will come across waterfalls, Sawmill Creek, prairie land, and woodland. It is part of the Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in Chicagoland.

Waterfall Glen, Lemont, IL 60439, USA

AllTrails/Diaz 425

This is one of the fabulous kid-friendly hikes around Illinois through Starved Rock State Park, this 2.6-mile trail near Deer Park is full of rock formations and waterfalls. It crosses the Illinois River, giving pedestrians a lovely foot bridge to cross on the way to these natural attractions.

Parkman’s Plain, River Trail, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA

AllTrails/Sandeep Uppalapati

Illinois River Bluff Trail is among the most scenic hikes in Illinois. Located near Peoria, this popular trail is part of Robinson Park. To find this lovely foot bridge, you’ll take a five-mile loop trail through beautiful forestry.

Illinois River Bluff Trail, trailhead at Camp Wokanda to trailend at Detweiller Park trailhead on, W Mossville Rd, Peoria, IL 61615, USA

AllTrails/Matt & Jody B

This short trail leads to one of the most unique foot bridges in Illinois. Located in the Friends Creek County Park in Central Illinois, the trail is just 1.9 miles and is great for all sorts of nature adventures. This is one of the easy hikes in Illinois so bring the whole family!

Friends Creek Township, IL, USA

AllTrails/Ren Yekulis

Located near Lake Villa is a loop trail that takes you along an interesting fairytale footbridge. The path lasts 3.2 miles and takes hikers deep into the forest of the McDonald Woods Forest Preserve where wildflowers, wildlife, and other great views abound.

McDonald Woods Forest Preserve, 19611 W Grass Lake Rd, Lake Villa, IL 60046, USA

AllTrails/Jason Reed

Featuring several types of footbridges, this is one of the easy hikes in Illinois that leads to waterfalls and canyons that will blow your mind. The most popular trail in Matthiessen State Park, this two-mile path is wonderful year round.

Matthiessen State Park, 2500 IL-178, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA

AllTrails/Jennifer Kirby

The lovely bridge on this 7.6-mile loop trail crosses the Calumet River around Chicagoland near Palos Park and features wide paths and gorgeous views. One of the most scenic hikes in Illinois, It is great for biking, horseback riding, and hiking and is part of the Sag Valley Forest Preserve.

Swallow Cliff Woods North, Palos Township, IL 60465, USA

AllTrails/Dilan wani

Located off the Des Plaines River in the Independence Grove County Forest Preserve near Libertyville is a hiking trail that locals love. Spanning nearly 22 miles, it leads hikers and bikers past woods and wildlife.

16400 Buckley Rd, Libertyville, IL 60048, USA

AllTrails/Sara J

Located in Silver Lake Park, this four-mile trail features is one of the most scenic hikes in Illinois and features a gorgeous footbridge you must see. It passes by Highland Silver Lake and is full of gorgeous views of the water.

3035 Highland Park Rd, Highland, IL 62249, USA

AllTrails/Kim Johnson

Located in Fulton, this riverside trail is one of the best hikes in Illinois. At 18.1 miles, it offers some of the most amazing views of the Mississippi River in the whole state and leads to several places to sit and enjoy the scenery.

Fulton, IL, USA

AllTrails/Adam J

Located near our border with Wisconsin is a 2.5-mile loop trail that leads to one of the most magical footbridges in the state. It is located within Van Patton Woods Forest Preserve and is great for biking, hiking, birding, dog walking, and more.

Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve, Route West Route 173, Wadsworth, IL 60083, USA

What other fairytale footbridges have you come across in Illinois? Share your most lovely hikes with us in the comments.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes In Illinois May 25, 2022 Libby Monson Are there any waterfall hikes in Illinois?

Yes! The best hikes in Illinois include a beautiful waterfall. From the north to the south, you’ll find trails with the magical sound of falling water. Ferne Clyffe Waterfall Trail in Ferne Clyffe State Park is only 2.1 miles, but it will take you to a spectacular waterfall. Starved Rock State Park has several waterfall trails. Try the short 1.7-mile Lover’s Leap Overlook Trail or the longer 4.3-mile Sandstone Point Overlook Trail. Dells Canyon and Bluff Trail at Matthiessen State Park features a fantastic waterfall that can be viewed from a bridge. What are the best kid-friendly hikes in Illinois?

Hiking together as a family is a great way to connect, but it loses its magic if the youngest members of the pack are whining because they’re too tired to go one more step. The best solution to this family dilemma is to choose one of the kid-friendly hikes in Illinois with the smallest legs in mind. Pick an interesting trail with flexibility, so you can adjust the length as necessary. The Des Plains River Forest Trail is an excellent option along the river, with many opportunities to see wildlife. You can happily wander this easy trail being mindful to turn around before everyone gets tired. Are there any natural bridges in Illinois?

Yes, you can hike to a natural bridge in Shawnee National Forest on the Bell Smith Springs Natural Bridge Trail. This easy 1.4-mile trail is one of the most scenic hikes in Illinois. You’ll enjoy the sound of water as you hike near the creek. The 150-foot-long natural bridge is the largest in Illinois!

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes In Illinois

May 25, 2022

Libby Monson

Are there any waterfall hikes in Illinois?

Yes! The best hikes in Illinois include a beautiful waterfall. From the north to the south, you’ll find trails with the magical sound of falling water. Ferne Clyffe Waterfall Trail in Ferne Clyffe State Park is only 2.1 miles, but it will take you to a spectacular waterfall. Starved Rock State Park has several waterfall trails. Try the short 1.7-mile Lover’s Leap Overlook Trail or the longer 4.3-mile Sandstone Point Overlook Trail. Dells Canyon and Bluff Trail at Matthiessen State Park features a fantastic waterfall that can be viewed from a bridge. What are the best kid-friendly hikes in Illinois?

Hiking together as a family is a great way to connect, but it loses its magic if the youngest members of the pack are whining because they’re too tired to go one more step. The best solution to this family dilemma is to choose one of the kid-friendly hikes in Illinois with the smallest legs in mind. Pick an interesting trail with flexibility, so you can adjust the length as necessary. The Des Plains River Forest Trail is an excellent option along the river, with many opportunities to see wildlife. You can happily wander this easy trail being mindful to turn around before everyone gets tired. Are there any natural bridges in Illinois?

Yes, you can hike to a natural bridge in Shawnee National Forest on the Bell Smith Springs Natural Bridge Trail. This easy 1.4-mile trail is one of the most scenic hikes in Illinois. You’ll enjoy the sound of water as you hike near the creek. The 150-foot-long natural bridge is the largest in Illinois!

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

What are the best kid-friendly hikes in Illinois?

Hiking together as a family is a great way to connect, but it loses its magic if the youngest members of the pack are whining because they’re too tired to go one more step. The best solution to this family dilemma is to choose one of the kid-friendly hikes in Illinois with the smallest legs in mind. Pick an interesting trail with flexibility, so you can adjust the length as necessary. The Des Plains River Forest Trail is an excellent option along the river, with many opportunities to see wildlife. You can happily wander this easy trail being mindful to turn around before everyone gets tired.

Are there any natural bridges in Illinois?

Yes, you can hike to a natural bridge in Shawnee National Forest on the Bell Smith Springs Natural Bridge Trail. This easy 1.4-mile trail is one of the most scenic hikes in Illinois. You’ll enjoy the sound of water as you hike near the creek. The 150-foot-long natural bridge is the largest in Illinois!