Fox Ridge State Park is one of the least-visited in the Land of Lincoln, but if you’re looking for a scenic Illinois hiking trail (or trails, depending on how you approach it), you can’t do much better than the Fox Ridge loop trail, which combines several shorter trails into a 4.8-mile loop.

At just over 2,000 acres, Fox Ridge State Park is relatively small when compared to other parks in the system.

Kim Gossett/Google It also receives fewer visitors, which means you’re likely to find its eight miles of rugged trails uncrowded.

The park is home to nine named trails, and if you combine about half of them, you can put together a 4.8-mile loop hike through the best of the park’s scenery.

Philip Brewer/Google

Fox Ridge is also home to abundant wildlife such as raccoons, white-tailed deer, hawks, owls, wild turkeys, and, of course, the namesake fox.

Kevin Terrell/Google

The scenic Embarras River, which you’ll see from certain points on the trail, runs through the park. You’ll start out your hike on the Trail of Trees, the trailhead closest to the Ball Diamond Parking Area.

Eric Qiu/Google

Then you’ll take Acorn Avenue to the Nature’s Corner Trail.

Anton Kowolski/Google

Along the Nature’s Corner portion of the loop, you will encounter the Eagle’s Nest Overlook.

Don Annis/Google To get up to the overlook, you’ll need to climb more than 140 stairs to the observation deck.

But when you do, you’ll be rewarded with picturesque views of the Embarras River valley, as well the bluffs and bottomlands that line it.

Shey Segelhorst/Google From there, you’ll finish your hike along the No-Name Trail Loop, reconnect with Acorn Avenue, and head back to the ball diamond. The whole route should take 90 minutes or so.

We’re certain you won’t be disappointed after a jaunt around this less-than-five-mile loop. If you’re looking to explore more of the least-visited parks in the Land of Lincoln, check out the curated itinerary we’ve put together – some of the scenic Illinois hiking trails at these parks are among the most spectacular in the state.

Kim Gossett/Google

It also receives fewer visitors, which means you’re likely to find its eight miles of rugged trails uncrowded.

Philip Brewer/Google

Kevin Terrell/Google

Eric Qiu/Google

Anton Kowolski/Google

Don Annis/Google

To get up to the overlook, you’ll need to climb more than 140 stairs to the observation deck.

Shey Segelhorst/Google

From there, you’ll finish your hike along the No-Name Trail Loop, reconnect with Acorn Avenue, and head back to the ball diamond. The whole route should take 90 minutes or so.

Have you hiked the loop trail at Fox Ridge State Park? What are some other less-visited scenic hiking trails in the Prairie State that we should know about?

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Address: Fox Ridge State Park, 18175 State Park Rd, Charleston, IL 61920, USA