32 trails · 249 trail miles · Best season: April – November
Illinois surprises hikers with the sandstone formations of Shawnee National Forest in the south and the dramatic ice-carved canyons of Starved Rock. The River-to-River Trail crosses Southern Illinois.
Best Season
April – November
Terrain
Prairie, river bluffs, sandstone canyons
Top Trail: Illinois State Park Lake Loop
Illinois has 32 hiking trails covering 249 trail miles across 0 national parks and 22 state parks.
The best hiking season in Illinois is April – November. The terrain includes prairie, river bluffs, sandstone canyons.
The top hiking destinations in Illinois include Shawnee National Forest, Starved Rock State Park, Matthiessen State Park.
Notable long-distance and iconic trails in Illinois include River-to-River Trail (160 mi), Garden of the Gods Trail.
The highest-rated trail in Illinois is Illinois State Park Lake Loop. The average trail difficulty across the state is Moderate.