12 Of The Best Scenic Hikes In Illinois To Explore This Year

Opportunities to hike throughout the year abound in the Prairie State. Whether you wish to see a waterfall, wildflowers, or a vista from an overlook, here are the 12 best scenic hikes in Illinois, one for each month of the year.

January - French Canyon Trail, Starved Rock State Park

Tim Gattone/AllTrails When temperatures dip below freezing, the chances to see a frozen waterfall increase. Your best bet is to head to Starved Rock State Park with its numerous canyons and waterfalls. You may even get to see ice climbers at some of the falls. For a moderate winter hike, take the 2.5-mile out-and-back French Canyon Trail. Starved Rock State Park, 2678 E 875th Rd, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA

February - Dells Canyon and Bluff Trails, Matthiessen State Park

Robin Jennings/AllTrails Matthiessen State Park is also home to waterfalls that may be frozen in time if conditions are optimal come winter. Take the moderate two-mile Dells Canyon and Bluff Trails loop for some gorgeous winter scenery. Matthiessen State Park, 2500 IL-178, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA

March - Big Rocky Hollow Trail, Ferne Clyffe State Park

Courtney Tinnin/AllTrails Located within the Shawnee National Forest, Ferne Clyffe State Park is home to a gorgeous waterfall that can be accessed via a moderate 0.7-mile out-and-back trail. With any luck during March, the snow will be melting and the waterfall will be flowing! You can read about hiking to Ferne Clyffe Waterfall Trail in this article. Ferne Clyffe State Park, Goreville Rd, Goreville, IL, USA

April - Volo Bog Interpretive Trail, Volo Bog State Natural Area

Martin Desent/AllTrails With spring in the air, hiking trail options become overwhelming. Why not head to the Volo Bog State Natural Area and take its 3.7-mile loop trail along boardwalks and through wetlands, forests, and prairie? You’ll love the unique landscape found here. Read more about the Volo Bog Interpretive Trail before you go! Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 Brandenburg Rd, Ingleside, IL 60041, USA

May - O’Hara Woods Loop, O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve

Angelic Steele/AllTrails In May, wildflowers should be in full bloom, so head to O’Hara Woods to view some of the prettiest wildflowers in the state. The loop trail is three miles long and one of the best hikes in Illinois. O’Hara Woods Preserve, 1034 W 135th St, Romeoville, IL 60446, USA

June - South Riverview Loop, Kickapoo State Park

Cory Winget/AllTrails Kickapoo State Park is home to a variety of wildlife as well as several ponds, a river, wildflowers, and more. Take the 3.2-mile South Riverview Loop trail to enjoy plenty of river views along the way. 10906 Kickapoo Park Rd, Oakwood, IL 61858, USA

July - Bell Smith Springs Natural Bridge Trail, Bell Smith Springs Natural Landmark

Sharon Dewar/AllTrails Featuring the largest natural bridge in Illinois as well as streams, sandstone rock formations, and natural springs, this is the perfect summer hike. You can learn more about Bell Smith Springs in this feature article. Bell Smith Springs Scenic Area, Bell Smith Springs Rd, Ozark, IL 62972, USA

August - Dune Trail Loop, Illinois Beach State Park

Philippe Duliere/AllTrails By August, the weather can be pretty hot and humid, so how about a hike to the beach? Take the easy 1.8-mile Dune Trail Loop and don’t forget to take your bathing suit! Learn more about hiking at Illinois Beach State Park. Illinois Beach State Park Road, Illinois Beach State Park Rd, Zion, IL 60099, USA

September - Waterfall Glen Trail Loop, Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve

Toucan A/AllTrails A trail that’s easy enough for the whole family, Waterfall Glen Trail Loop is just one mile and features a beautiful waterfall that kids will love! You can read more about this trail and why we think it’s one of the best waterfall hikes in Illinois. Waterfall Glen, Lemont, IL 60439, USA

October - Garden of the Gods Observation Trail, Garden of the Gods Wilderness

Kim Vaughn/AllTrails Perhaps there are no better fall foliage views than those from the overlook on the 0.5-mile Garden of the Gods Observation Trail. Along with the views, you will also see plenty of otherworldly rock formations. Garden of the Gods, Herod, IL 62947, USA

November - Cap Sauers Yellow and Green Loop, Cap Sauers Holding Nature Preserve

Adnan Muhic/AllTrails It’s almost hard to believe this stunning preserve is in the Chicagoland area, but what a great escape from the city! Take the easy Yellow and Green Trails for a 6.4-mile loop around the preserve where you’ll see an oak forest, prairies, wetlands, and plenty of wildlife on this scenic hike in Illinois. Cap Sauers Holding Nature Preserve, 11501 Wolf Rd, Palos Park, IL 60464, USA

December - McDonald Family East Loop, Allerton Park

Nathan Shoemaker/AllTrails Allerton Park & Retreat Center boasts over 1,500 acres filled with gardens and woods Iand over 14 miles of trails to explore the property. Take a scenic hike on this 2.3-mile moderate trail that leads past the Sangamon River that winds its way through Allerton Park. Whether there is snow on the ground or not, Allerton Park is absolutely breathtaking. Allerton Park & Retreat Center, 515 Old Timber Rd, Monticello, IL 61856, USA

What do you think of these scenic hikes in Illinois? Have you hiked any of them? Let us know in the comments! You can also share your love of the great outdoors with fellow nature enthusiasts in our Illinois Nature Lovers Facebook group.

Tim Gattone/AllTrails

When temperatures dip below freezing, the chances to see a frozen waterfall increase. Your best bet is to head to Starved Rock State Park with its numerous canyons and waterfalls. You may even get to see ice climbers at some of the falls. For a moderate winter hike, take the 2.5-mile out-and-back French Canyon Trail.

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

Robin Jennings/AllTrails

Matthiessen State Park is also home to waterfalls that may be frozen in time if conditions are optimal come winter. Take the moderate two-mile Dells Canyon and Bluff Trails loop for some gorgeous winter scenery.

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

Courtney Tinnin/AllTrails

Located within the Shawnee National Forest, Ferne Clyffe State Park is home to a gorgeous waterfall that can be accessed via a moderate 0.7-mile out-and-back trail. With any luck during March, the snow will be melting and the waterfall will be flowing! You can read about hiking to Ferne Clyffe Waterfall Trail in this article.

Ferne Clyffe State Park, Goreville Rd, Goreville, IL, USA

Martin Desent/AllTrails

With spring in the air, hiking trail options become overwhelming. Why not head to the Volo Bog State Natural Area and take its 3.7-mile loop trail along boardwalks and through wetlands, forests, and prairie? You’ll love the unique landscape found here. Read more about the Volo Bog Interpretive Trail before you go!

Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 Brandenburg Rd, Ingleside, IL 60041, USA

Angelic Steele/AllTrails

In May, wildflowers should be in full bloom, so head to O’Hara Woods to view some of the prettiest wildflowers in the state. The loop trail is three miles long and one of the best hikes in Illinois.

O’Hara Woods Preserve, 1034 W 135th St, Romeoville, IL 60446, USA

Cory Winget/AllTrails

Kickapoo State Park is home to a variety of wildlife as well as several ponds, a river, wildflowers, and more. Take the 3.2-mile South Riverview Loop trail to enjoy plenty of river views along the way.

10906 Kickapoo Park Rd, Oakwood, IL 61858, USA

Sharon Dewar/AllTrails

Featuring the largest natural bridge in Illinois as well as streams, sandstone rock formations, and natural springs, this is the perfect summer hike. You can learn more about Bell Smith Springs in this feature article.

Bell Smith Springs Scenic Area, Bell Smith Springs Rd, Ozark, IL 62972, USA

Philippe Duliere/AllTrails

By August, the weather can be pretty hot and humid, so how about a hike to the beach? Take the easy 1.8-mile Dune Trail Loop and don’t forget to take your bathing suit! Learn more about hiking at Illinois Beach State Park.

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

Toucan A/AllTrails

A trail that’s easy enough for the whole family, Waterfall Glen Trail Loop is just one mile and features a beautiful waterfall that kids will love! You can read more about this trail and why we think it’s one of the best waterfall hikes in Illinois.

Waterfall Glen, Lemont, IL 60439, USA

Kim Vaughn/AllTrails

Perhaps there are no better fall foliage views than those from the overlook on the 0.5-mile Garden of the Gods Observation Trail. Along with the views, you will also see plenty of otherworldly rock formations.

Garden of the Gods, Herod, IL 62947, USA

Adnan Muhic/AllTrails

It’s almost hard to believe this stunning preserve is in the Chicagoland area, but what a great escape from the city! Take the easy Yellow and Green Trails for a 6.4-mile loop around the preserve where you’ll see an oak forest, prairies, wetlands, and plenty of wildlife on this scenic hike in Illinois.

Cap Sauers Holding Nature Preserve, 11501 Wolf Rd, Palos Park, IL 60464, USA

Nathan Shoemaker/AllTrails

Allerton Park & Retreat Center boasts over 1,500 acres filled with gardens and woods Iand over 14 miles of trails to explore the property. Take a scenic hike on this 2.3-mile moderate trail that leads past the Sangamon River that winds its way through Allerton Park. Whether there is snow on the ground or not, Allerton Park is absolutely breathtaking.

Allerton Park & Retreat Center, 515 Old Timber Rd, Monticello, IL 61856, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Scenic Hikes in Illinois December 22, 2022 Sarah M. What are some short-and-sweet scenic hikes in Illinois? If you’re yearning to hit the trails but don’t have all day to devote to a trek, check out these short-and-sweet hikes in Illinois, all of which clock in under five miles and are located in some of the most scenic places in the state.

Starved Rock State Park. You can hike for as long or as little as you want to at Starved Rock–it’s truly a choose your own adventure. There are canyons, waterfalls (hurry!), and awesome views of the Illinois River. Because you get to choose how long you walk, this is a great kid-friendly hike in Illinois.

Garden of the Gods. The trail going around the main observation area is around a third of a mile. There are other trails that take you further around the grounds. Illinois Beach State Park. This state park offers 6.5 miles of Lake Michigan shores for you to enjoy. Whether you want to hike it all or just take a relaxing walk over part is totally up to you. Enjoy every minute- this is one of the most scenic hikes in Illinois! Matthiessen State Park.This beautiful state park will surprise you, as it has gorgeous canyons and waterfalls just like its sister park to the north (Starved Rock). Enjoy bridges, streams, and even prairie while hiking at this scenic state park in Illinois!

Mississippi Palisades State Park. Incredible views courtesy of the Mississippi and Apple Rivers await at this park that’s home to some of the best hikes in Illinois. There are 15 total miles of trails which are broken into many more manageable small portions (ranging from one to three miles).

The OIYS Visitor Center

Scenic Hikes in Illinois

December 22, 2022

Sarah M.

What are some short-and-sweet scenic hikes in Illinois? If you’re yearning to hit the trails but don’t have all day to devote to a trek, check out these short-and-sweet hikes in Illinois, all of which clock in under five miles and are located in some of the most scenic places in the state.

The OIYS Visitor Center

If you’re yearning to hit the trails but don’t have all day to devote to a trek, check out these short-and-sweet hikes in Illinois, all of which clock in under five miles and are located in some of the most scenic places in the state.

Starved Rock State Park. You can hike for as long or as little as you want to at Starved Rock–it’s truly a choose your own adventure. There are canyons, waterfalls (hurry!), and awesome views of the Illinois River. Because you get to choose how long you walk, this is a great kid-friendly hike in Illinois.
Garden of the Gods. The trail going around the main observation area is around a third of a mile. There are other trails that take you further around the grounds.
Illinois Beach State Park. This state park offers 6.5 miles of Lake Michigan shores for you to enjoy. Whether you want to hike it all or just take a relaxing walk over part is totally up to you. Enjoy every minute- this is one of the most scenic hikes in Illinois!
Matthiessen State Park.This beautiful state park will surprise you, as it has gorgeous canyons and waterfalls just like its sister park to the north (Starved Rock). Enjoy bridges, streams, and even prairie while hiking at this scenic state park in Illinois!
Mississippi Palisades State Park. Incredible views courtesy of the Mississippi and Apple Rivers await at this park that’s home to some of the best hikes in Illinois. There are 15 total miles of trails which are broken into many more manageable small portions (ranging from one to three miles).