As the weather begins to turn warmer, you’ve probably started looking for reasons to go outside. These seven beautiful spring hikes make it hard to want to stay indoors. Take in the blooming buds of the fresh new season with these nature adventures along some of the best hikes in Illinois. Scroll on for all the details.
- Primrose Nature Trail
AllTrails/Eric Qiu Located in northern Illinois, this short and sweet hike is 0.8 miles and features some of the best views in the state. Watch spring bloom at Apple River Canyon State Park in Jo Daviess County. Learn more about the stairs and overlooks along one of the most scenic hikes in Illinois. Apple River Canyon State Park Lane, Apple River Canyon State Park Ln, Thompson Township, IL 61085, USA
- The Constitution Trail
AllTrails/Erik Boling If you’re looking for a much longer trail, this paved path connecting our twin cities (Normal and Bloomington) will give you a reason to get out and enjoy the spring weather. It opened in 1989 and features shelters, picnic areas, benches, and fabulous views throughout. Read our previous coverage for more details about one of the best hikes in Illinois. Constitution Trail, Bloomington, IL, USA
- Lincoln Prairie Trail
Facebook/Lincoln Prairie Trails Conservancy When it comes to Illinois’ beautiful spring hikes, this is certainly one of the most historic. It allows you to take the exact route Abraham Lincoln took when he traveled the 8th Judicial Circuit as an attorney and eventually as a judge. This 14.8-mile biking and hiking path connects the cities of Pana and Taylorville and features trees, wildflowers, wildlife, and so much more. Read our previous coverage to learn more about one of the most scenic hikes in Illinois. Lincoln Prairie Trail (Lincoln Heritage Trail), Pana, IL, USA
- Rim Rock Recreational Trail
Flickr/Curtis Abert Nestled within the Shawnee National Forest is a decent hike that is too beautiful not to try. It is a 1.7-mile loop trail that leads down some stairs to the valley floor where you’ll encounter rock walls, caves, and other formations. It is beautiful any time of year, but spring is best. Learn more about one of the most stunning scenic hikes in Illinois in our previous coverage. Rim Rock National Recreation Trail, Eagle Creek, RR 1 Box 198B, Findlay, IL 62534, USA
- Volo Bog Interpretive Trail
Flickr/Justin Meissen This 3.7-mile loop trail is one of the most unique of Illinois’ beautiful spring hikes as it features a short boardwalk path. The trail crosses marshes, prairies, forests, and fields and features an observation deck, wetlands, wildlife, and informative signs. Read our previous coverage to learn more about the Volo Bog Interpretive Trail. Volo Bog, Grant Township, IL 60041, USA
- Des Plaines River Nature Preserve Trail
Wikimedia Commons/greglaskiewicz There are miles and miles of trails along the 133 miles of the Des Plaines River that flows southward from southern Wisconsin through the northern part of Illinois. The trails are interconnected and best for watching wildlife, biking, hiking, and traveling between parks and communities. Read our previous coverage for more details.
- Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park Trail
Wikimedia Commons/Kenneth Darland Spanning 104.5 miles in northern Illinois, this trail is made up of multiple surfaces and follows a historic canal that was built in 1907. Overall, it runs from the Illinois River to the Mississippi River. The path features bridges, paved segments, and immaculate views. It is ideal for hiking, biking, and spotting wildlife. Visit the Illinois.gov website for more information on the Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park Trail. Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park, 16006 E. Street, Sheffield, IL 61361, USA
For more like this, check out these six deep woods trail in Illinois you can get lost in this spring.
AllTrails/Eric Qiu
Located in northern Illinois, this short and sweet hike is 0.8 miles and features some of the best views in the state. Watch spring bloom at Apple River Canyon State Park in Jo Daviess County. Learn more about the stairs and overlooks along one of the most scenic hikes in Illinois.
Apple River Canyon State Park Lane, Apple River Canyon State Park Ln, Thompson Township, IL 61085, USA
AllTrails/Erik Boling
If you’re looking for a much longer trail, this paved path connecting our twin cities (Normal and Bloomington) will give you a reason to get out and enjoy the spring weather. It opened in 1989 and features shelters, picnic areas, benches, and fabulous views throughout. Read our previous coverage for more details about one of the best hikes in Illinois.
Constitution Trail, Bloomington, IL, USA
Facebook/Lincoln Prairie Trails Conservancy
When it comes to Illinois’ beautiful spring hikes, this is certainly one of the most historic. It allows you to take the exact route Abraham Lincoln took when he traveled the 8th Judicial Circuit as an attorney and eventually as a judge. This 14.8-mile biking and hiking path connects the cities of Pana and Taylorville and features trees, wildflowers, wildlife, and so much more. Read our previous coverage to learn more about one of the most scenic hikes in Illinois.
Lincoln Prairie Trail (Lincoln Heritage Trail), Pana, IL, USA
Flickr/Curtis Abert
Nestled within the Shawnee National Forest is a decent hike that is too beautiful not to try. It is a 1.7-mile loop trail that leads down some stairs to the valley floor where you’ll encounter rock walls, caves, and other formations. It is beautiful any time of year, but spring is best. Learn more about one of the most stunning scenic hikes in Illinois in our previous coverage.
Rim Rock National Recreation Trail, Eagle Creek, RR 1 Box 198B, Findlay, IL 62534, USA
Flickr/Justin Meissen
This 3.7-mile loop trail is one of the most unique of Illinois’ beautiful spring hikes as it features a short boardwalk path. The trail crosses marshes, prairies, forests, and fields and features an observation deck, wetlands, wildlife, and informative signs. Read our previous coverage to learn more about the Volo Bog Interpretive Trail.
Volo Bog, Grant Township, IL 60041, USA
Wikimedia Commons/greglaskiewicz
There are miles and miles of trails along the 133 miles of the Des Plaines River that flows southward from southern Wisconsin through the northern part of Illinois. The trails are interconnected and best for watching wildlife, biking, hiking, and traveling between parks and communities. Read our previous coverage for more details.
Wikimedia Commons/Kenneth Darland
Spanning 104.5 miles in northern Illinois, this trail is made up of multiple surfaces and follows a historic canal that was built in 1907. Overall, it runs from the Illinois River to the Mississippi River. The path features bridges, paved segments, and immaculate views. It is ideal for hiking, biking, and spotting wildlife. Visit the Illinois.gov website for more information on the Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park Trail.
Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park, 16006 E. Street, Sheffield, IL 61361, USA
What other best hikes in Illinois are you looking forward to this spring? Share your favorites with us below in the comments.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Illinois April 02, 2022 Melissa M. What are some of the most scenic hikes in Illinois? For those of us who are lucky enough to live in the Land of Lincoln, we know how stunning our state is. You can trek along various trails through Starved Rock State Park to canyons that feature jaw-dropping waterfalls, explore nearby Matthiessen State Park which is also home to several waterfalls, and take in river views at Kickapoo State Park, among others. You can find these hikes and more in our article, 12 Scenic Hiking Trails To Explore In Illinois. Are there any waterfall hikes I can take in Illinois? There are plenty of waterfall hikes throughout the state that we think you should add to your bucket list. You can take a 2.8-mile loop trail at the Nature Institue Olin Nature Preserve in Godfrey that leads to a gorgeous waterfall in the woods. Or how about Lover’s Leap Overlook Trail at Starved Rock State Park that’s only 1.7 miles? The bonus with this trail is the views you’ll get of the Illinois River as well. Are there any kid-friendly hikes in Illinois? At Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, take the 1.7-mile Rocky Bluff loop trail to a small but stunning waterfall. This easy, kid-friendly hike is set to delight families especially when they spot the waterfall. This scenic hike is best done right after a good rainfall.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Illinois
April 02, 2022
Melissa M.
What are some of the most scenic hikes in Illinois? For those of us who are lucky enough to live in the Land of Lincoln, we know how stunning our state is. You can trek along various trails through Starved Rock State Park to canyons that feature jaw-dropping waterfalls, explore nearby Matthiessen State Park which is also home to several waterfalls, and take in river views at Kickapoo State Park, among others. You can find these hikes and more in our article, 12 Scenic Hiking Trails To Explore In Illinois. Are there any waterfall hikes I can take in Illinois? There are plenty of waterfall hikes throughout the state that we think you should add to your bucket list. You can take a 2.8-mile loop trail at the Nature Institue Olin Nature Preserve in Godfrey that leads to a gorgeous waterfall in the woods. Or how about Lover’s Leap Overlook Trail at Starved Rock State Park that’s only 1.7 miles? The bonus with this trail is the views you’ll get of the Illinois River as well. Are there any kid-friendly hikes in Illinois? At Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, take the 1.7-mile Rocky Bluff loop trail to a small but stunning waterfall. This easy, kid-friendly hike is set to delight families especially when they spot the waterfall. This scenic hike is best done right after a good rainfall.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
For those of us who are lucky enough to live in the Land of Lincoln, we know how stunning our state is. You can trek along various trails through Starved Rock State Park to canyons that feature jaw-dropping waterfalls, explore nearby Matthiessen State Park which is also home to several waterfalls, and take in river views at Kickapoo State Park, among others. You can find these hikes and more in our article, 12 Scenic Hiking Trails To Explore In Illinois.
Are there any waterfall hikes I can take in Illinois?
There are plenty of waterfall hikes throughout the state that we think you should add to your bucket list. You can take a 2.8-mile loop trail at the Nature Institue Olin Nature Preserve in Godfrey that leads to a gorgeous waterfall in the woods. Or how about Lover’s Leap Overlook Trail at Starved Rock State Park that’s only 1.7 miles? The bonus with this trail is the views you’ll get of the Illinois River as well.
Are there any kid-friendly hikes in Illinois?
At Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, take the 1.7-mile Rocky Bluff loop trail to a small but stunning waterfall. This easy, kid-friendly hike is set to delight families especially when they spot the waterfall. This scenic hike is best done right after a good rainfall.
