The Best Backpacking in Illinois

Park in Parking lot 2 on E. Co. Rd. 2300 N - from there you'll find the trail head for the Yellow/Red Trails. The Yellow Trail is the large 14.8 mile loop you'll follow for the whole trip. Start your hike by heading north on the trail; at this point the Yellow Trail is combined with the Red Trail...

Designated a national natural landmark in 1980, Lusk Creek Canyon is the name of a 906-acre canyon located within the Lusk Creek Wilderness Area of the Shawnee National Forest in Pope County, Illinois. The Lusk Creek Canyon Nature Preserve and National Natural Landmark features an outstanding sce...

Trail of Tears State Forest lies within one of the most rugged landscapes in Illinois. The hills are steep, and the soil is shallow and susceptible to erosion. Cliffs are all around and streams with gravel bottoms are in the narrow forest filled valleys. In 1838-39 the Cherokee, Creek, and Chicka...

Godwin Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Alto Pass, Illinois.

Red Oak Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Timewell, Illinois.

Little Cedar Lake via Lirley Trailhead is an out-and-back trail that is good for all skill levels located near Makanda, Illinois.

Virgil Gilman Nature Trail via Sugar Grove is an point-to-point trail that takes you by a river located near Sugar Grove, Illinois.