Ready To Go Hiking Near Chicago?

Chicago may have some of the best parks and running paths in the country, including the 606, a masterpiece urban green space, but it does not have as many hiking spots nearby as other major cities. While the Midwest is not well-known for its mountains and hiking opportunities, you can still find a great place to spend an afternoon. The best hiking involves getting outdoors, breathing in fresh air and enjoying the natural beauty around us. Here are the three best places to hike near Chicago.

Starved Rock State Park

By Chris Light

This first trail, located just one hour and a quarter from Chicago was rated as the number one attraction in Illinois. It’s a great hike that can be made as long or short as you like. The main trail will take you through parkland with stunning canyons, cascading falls, and gorgeous views of the Illinois River. The park has 18 canyons, with some on side trails. It’s 13 miles one-way if you want to visit all the canyons. You’ll need a second car if you plan to drive through the park. If you don’t want to do that, look at the map. Decide how many canyons are worth your time. St. Louis Canyon, Wildcat Canyon, Tonty Canyon, Ottawa and Kaskaskia Canyons have the most impressive waterfalls. All hikers can enjoy the entire trail, but there are some sections that may be slippery when it rains.

Indiana Dunes State Park

Chris Light on English Wikipedia

Indiana Dunes is a popular summer destination for Chicagoans. Even though it’s just an hour away from the city, the Indiana Dunes feel like a world apart from the bustling urban environment of Chi-town. If you don’t want to drive, you can take the train from Millennium Station in an hour and a quarter.

The 3.5-mile West Beach Loop is one of the best routes in the Dunes. It is made up of three loops that take you through different parts of the park. The loops are divided into three sections. If you do not want to continue, you can easily turn around and return on the opposite side. The trail begins at the West Beach Bathhouse and takes you along a boardwalk next to Lake Michigan. It then leads up 250 steps. The best views of Lake Michigan are at this point. The trail continues through a pine tree stand before reaching the second circuit. You’ll walk on loose sand under oak trees in this section. The final loop of the hike takes you along Long Lake, before entering a series dunes that can be challenging to climb and descend.

After your swim, you can reward yourself by taking a dip in Lake Michigan. This is the only beach of the park that has lifeguards. You’ll also get a great view of the Chicago skyline from 30 miles away.

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

By Alanscottwalker

A 19,000-acre parkland was created by the federal government during the 1990s. It used to be the Joliet Arsenal. Blodgett Marsh Trail is one of many trails in the park, but it’s only accessible to hikers. The trail begins at the River Road Trailhead, and then continues for a 4.5 mile loop that takes you through tall grass fields and over two creeks. The trail offers excellent bird-watching and is a great educational experience.

Prairies are not the first landscape that comes to mind when planning a hike. In 2014, biologists devised a plan for reintroducing the North American Bison in Midewin Prairie. This is the furthest east you will see these majestic creatures, and experiencing the splendor is enough reason to visit this place.

The conclusion of the article is:

hiking opportunities in Chicago are among the best-kept secrets of the United States. Many people think that because there are no tall mountains, the area is boring and has no trails. It is far from the truth. The area compensates for its lack in elevation by offering stunning canyons and waterfalls as well as windswept beaches. There are many beautiful places to enjoy the outdoors in the city, but it’s worth taking an hour to explore the wilderness beyond the city.