The Shawnee National Forest covers approximately 280,000 acres, making it one of the largest hiking destinations in Illinois. If you’re a hiking enthusiast, you’ll definitely want to add this national forest to your outdoor bucket list. Listed below, we’ve included eight of the most scenic hikes in the Shawnee National Forest. They’re also some of the best hikes in Illinois. You’ll want to explore them all.

  1. Rim Rock National Recreation Trail

Curtis Abert/Flickr Even though this trail is less than two miles long, it still offers some of the most stunning views. It hugs the rim of a rock escarpment, hence the name. You can hike it in the spring for delightful woodland flowers. There are also impressive sandstone rock formations and massive bottomwood trees along it. Learn all about this scenic trail with a visit to this webpage. Rim Rock National Recreation Trail, Eagle Creek, RR 1 Box 198B, Findlay, IL 62534, USA

  1. Garden of the Gods Recreation Area

Michael/Flickr Another short hike, the Garden of the Gods Recreational Trail is just half a mile long. It’s an incredible trail for the view alone. You can also walk among the large, 320-million-year-old rocks. People sometimes climb the rock formations, too. If you choose to do this, remember to always use caution. For information about the Garden of the Gods Recreation Area, take a look at this webpage. Picnic Road, Picnic Rd, Herod, IL 62947, USA

  1. Inspiration Point Trail

Justin Meissen/Flickr This out-and-back trail near Wolf Lake is just under one mile. It’s actually located in LaRue Pine Hills. Sandstone bluffs that are 150 feet tall look out over the plains. Take a look at this article to learn more about Illinois’ Inspiration Point Trail. Inspiration Point Trail, Union Precinct, IL 62998, USA

  1. Jackson Falls

Justin Schmuttenmaer/Flickr This is one of the best places to climb in Illinois. There are 60 climbing areas. It’s also a great place to take a hike. In addition to waterfalls, there’s also a 4.5-mile trail here. Learn more about Jackson Falls with a visit to this webpage. Glen Saint Falls Road, Glen St Falls Rd, Illinois, USA

  1. Little Grand Canyon

Bill Rand/Flickr Yes, Illinois has its very own Grand Canyon. Over time, erosion has exposed a deep canyon and the bluffs around it have emerged. You’ll experience incredible views of the colorful cliffs around you. You’ll also experience an amazing view of the Mississippi floodplain. Take a look at this article to learn more about Illinois’ Little Grand Canyon. Pomona, IL 62975, USA

  1. Lusk Creek Canyon

Ken Ratcliff/Flickr While here, you’ll experience an awesome view of something called Indian Kitchen. Awesome trails lead you by abandoned roads, cemeteries, and amazing fruit trees. For more information about Lusk Creek Canyon, take a look at this webpage. Eddyville, IL 62928, USA

  1. Burden Falls

Curtis Abert/Flickr Burden Falls is one of the best waterfalls in Illinois. The sounds of rushing waters overwhelm you, even away from the waterfall. The falls have a 35-foot drop. Learn more about Burden Falls with a visit to this webpage. Burden Falls, Illinois 62987, USA

  1. Panther Den Wilderness

Meclimb4life/Wikipedia This wilderness area is comprised of nearly 1,200 acres. Here you’ll be able to walk through walls to enter the den. There’s a waterfall here, too. Visit this webpage to learn more about Illinois’ Panther Den Wilderness. Makanda, IL 62958, USA

Have you ever hiked any of these eight trails in Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest? If so, please share your experience(s) with us in the comments below.

Curtis Abert/Flickr

Even though this trail is less than two miles long, it still offers some of the most stunning views. It hugs the rim of a rock escarpment, hence the name. You can hike it in the spring for delightful woodland flowers. There are also impressive sandstone rock formations and massive bottomwood trees along it. Learn all about this scenic trail with a visit to this webpage.

Rim Rock National Recreation Trail, Eagle Creek, RR 1 Box 198B, Findlay, IL 62534, USA

Michael/Flickr

Another short hike, the Garden of the Gods Recreational Trail is just half a mile long. It’s an incredible trail for the view alone. You can also walk among the large, 320-million-year-old rocks. People sometimes climb the rock formations, too. If you choose to do this, remember to always use caution. For information about the Garden of the Gods Recreation Area, take a look at this webpage.

Picnic Road, Picnic Rd, Herod, IL 62947, USA

Justin Meissen/Flickr

This out-and-back trail near Wolf Lake is just under one mile. It’s actually located in LaRue Pine Hills. Sandstone bluffs that are 150 feet tall look out over the plains. Take a look at this article to learn more about Illinois’ Inspiration Point Trail.

Inspiration Point Trail, Union Precinct, IL 62998, USA

Justin Schmuttenmaer/Flickr

This is one of the best places to climb in Illinois. There are 60 climbing areas. It’s also a great place to take a hike. In addition to waterfalls, there’s also a 4.5-mile trail here. Learn more about Jackson Falls with a visit to this webpage.

Glen Saint Falls Road, Glen St Falls Rd, Illinois, USA

Bill Rand/Flickr

Yes, Illinois has its very own Grand Canyon. Over time, erosion has exposed a deep canyon and the bluffs around it have emerged. You’ll experience incredible views of the colorful cliffs around you. You’ll also experience an amazing view of the Mississippi floodplain. Take a look at this article to learn more about Illinois’ Little Grand Canyon.

Pomona, IL 62975, USA

Ken Ratcliff/Flickr

While here, you’ll experience an awesome view of something called Indian Kitchen. Awesome trails lead you by abandoned roads, cemeteries, and amazing fruit trees. For more information about Lusk Creek Canyon, take a look at this webpage.

Eddyville, IL 62928, USA

Burden Falls is one of the best waterfalls in Illinois. The sounds of rushing waters overwhelm you, even away from the waterfall. The falls have a 35-foot drop. Learn more about Burden Falls with a visit to this webpage.

Burden Falls, Illinois 62987, USA

Meclimb4life/Wikipedia

This wilderness area is comprised of nearly 1,200 acres. Here you’ll be able to walk through walls to enter the den. There’s a waterfall here, too. Visit this webpage to learn more about Illinois’ Panther Den Wilderness.

Makanda, IL 62958, USA

Looking for some more great hikes? Check out this list.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in illinois March 29, 2022 Jennifer Young What are three of Illinois’ best kid-friendly trails? There are several kid-friendly hikes around Illinois that are great for the entire family to do. Listed below, we’ve included three of our favorite kid-friendly trails. They’re also some of the most scenic hikes in Illinois. You’ll want to explore each of them.

  1. Garden of the Gods Observation Trail Located within the Garden of the Gods Wilderness is Illinois’ Garden of the Gods Observation Trail. This 0.5-mile loop trail has an easy rating of difficulty and is an area that’s mostly used for camping, hiking, and walking. It’s also a wonderful trail to hike at any time of the year.
  2. Dells Canyon and Bluff Trail Illinois’ Dells Canyon and Bluff Trail is located inside Matthiessen State Park. It’s a 2-mile loop trail with a moderate rating of difficulty. Over the years, this trail has become one of Illinois’ most popular hiking spots.
  3. Giant City Nature Trail Located inside Illinois’ Giant City State Park is Giant City Nature Trail. This 1-mile loop trail has an easy rating of difficulty and is great for hiking, running, and walking. Like the Garden of the Gods Observation Trail, the Giant City Nature Trail is also great for exploring at any time of the year. What are three easy hikes in Illinois that are also some of the shortest? Illinois boasts numerous trails of all difficulties. While some are difficult to navigate, many others are quite easy. Listed below are three of Illinois’ easiest trails. They’re also some of the shortest.
  4. Pomona Natural Bridge Trail Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest is home to the Pomona Natural Bridge Trail, a 0.3-mile loop trail. This scenic trail is accessible year round and is a popular spot for an afternoon walk.
  5. Big Rocky Hollow Trail Located inside Illinois’ Ferne Clyffe State Park is the Big Rocky Hollow Trail. This 0.7-mile, out-and-back trail is a great place to hike at any time of the year. In addition to hiking and walking, many people also choose to camp along this trail.
  6. Devil’s Standtable Trail Illinois’ Devil’s Standtable Trail, a 0.3-mile loop trail, is located inside Giant City State Park. It’s a great trail to hike year round and is mostly used for hiking, walking, and nature trips.

The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in illinois

March 29, 2022

Jennifer Young

What are three of Illinois’ best kid-friendly trails? There are several kid-friendly hikes around Illinois that are great for the entire family to do. Listed below, we’ve included three of our favorite kid-friendly trails. They’re also some of the most scenic hikes in Illinois. You’ll want to explore each of them.

  1. Garden of the Gods Observation Trail Located within the Garden of the Gods Wilderness is Illinois’ Garden of the Gods Observation Trail. This 0.5-mile loop trail has an easy rating of difficulty and is an area that’s mostly used for camping, hiking, and walking. It’s also a wonderful trail to hike at any time of the year.
  2. Dells Canyon and Bluff Trail Illinois’ Dells Canyon and Bluff Trail is located inside Matthiessen State Park. It’s a 2-mile loop trail with a moderate rating of difficulty. Over the years, this trail has become one of Illinois’ most popular hiking spots.
  3. Giant City Nature Trail Located inside Illinois’ Giant City State Park is Giant City Nature Trail. This 1-mile loop trail has an easy rating of difficulty and is great for hiking, running, and walking. Like the Garden of the Gods Observation Trail, the Giant City Nature Trail is also great for exploring at any time of the year. What are three easy hikes in Illinois that are also some of the shortest? Illinois boasts numerous trails of all difficulties. While some are difficult to navigate, many others are quite easy. Listed below are three of Illinois’ easiest trails. They’re also some of the shortest.
  4. Pomona Natural Bridge Trail Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest is home to the Pomona Natural Bridge Trail, a 0.3-mile loop trail. This scenic trail is accessible year round and is a popular spot for an afternoon walk.
  5. Big Rocky Hollow Trail Located inside Illinois’ Ferne Clyffe State Park is the Big Rocky Hollow Trail. This 0.7-mile, out-and-back trail is a great place to hike at any time of the year. In addition to hiking and walking, many people also choose to camp along this trail.
  6. Devil’s Standtable Trail Illinois’ Devil’s Standtable Trail, a 0.3-mile loop trail, is located inside Giant City State Park. It’s a great trail to hike year round and is mostly used for hiking, walking, and nature trips.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

There are several kid-friendly hikes around Illinois that are great for the entire family to do. Listed below, we’ve included three of our favorite kid-friendly trails. They’re also some of the most scenic hikes in Illinois. You’ll want to explore each of them.

  1. Garden of the Gods Observation Trail

Located within the Garden of the Gods Wilderness is Illinois’ Garden of the Gods Observation Trail. This 0.5-mile loop trail has an easy rating of difficulty and is an area that’s mostly used for camping, hiking, and walking. It’s also a wonderful trail to hike at any time of the year.

  1. Dells Canyon and Bluff Trail

Illinois’ Dells Canyon and Bluff Trail is located inside Matthiessen State Park. It’s a 2-mile loop trail with a moderate rating of difficulty. Over the years, this trail has become one of Illinois’ most popular hiking spots.

  1. Giant City Nature Trail

Located inside Illinois’ Giant City State Park is Giant City Nature Trail. This 1-mile loop trail has an easy rating of difficulty and is great for hiking, running, and walking. Like the Garden of the Gods Observation Trail, the Giant City Nature Trail is also great for exploring at any time of the year.

What are three easy hikes in Illinois that are also some of the shortest?

Illinois boasts numerous trails of all difficulties. While some are difficult to navigate, many others are quite easy. Listed below are three of Illinois’ easiest trails. They’re also some of the shortest.

  1. Pomona Natural Bridge Trail

Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest is home to the Pomona Natural Bridge Trail, a 0.3-mile loop trail. This scenic trail is accessible year round and is a popular spot for an afternoon walk.

  1. Big Rocky Hollow Trail

Located inside Illinois’ Ferne Clyffe State Park is the Big Rocky Hollow Trail. This 0.7-mile, out-and-back trail is a great place to hike at any time of the year. In addition to hiking and walking, many people also choose to camp along this trail.

  1. Devil’s Standtable Trail

Illinois’ Devil’s Standtable Trail, a 0.3-mile loop trail, is located inside Giant City State Park. It’s a great trail to hike year round and is mostly used for hiking, walking, and nature trips.