Busse Woods Loop, Schaumburg, Illinois
This quick, pleasant, and easily accessible hike takes you through dense woods and near numerous small ponds at one of the largest forest preserves in Cook County. Although Busse Woods is busy at times, it?s surprisingly quie... trails.com
Lake Defiance Trail Loop
This is very nice, well maintained trail system of alternating asphalt pavement and crushed limestone, that is one of several hikes in the Moraine Hills State Park near McHenry, Illinois. The trail system can be used by d... localhikes.com
Great Western Trail (Il)
The western segment of the Great Western Trail in Illinois follows 17 miles of an abandoned railway corridor through DeKalb and Kane counties, between Leroy Oaks County Forest Preserve and the town of Sycamore. The Chicago... traillink.com
Waterfall Glen, Darien, Illinois
At the glen, trails are 8 feet wide, white-tailed deer are plentiful, and a scattering of pine groves planted long ago by the federal government offers constant changes in color and composition. Though some bikers pedal along... trails.com
Ryerson Woods Hike, Lincolnshire, Illinois
The trails in Ryerson Woods wind through some of the most stunning forestland in the Chicago region. Along the shore of the Des Plaines River and its backwater, expect to see waterfowl, wildflowers, and old rustic cabins left... trails.com
Morton Arboretum East Hike, Lisle, Illinois
Want to check out trees from places such as Korea or Appalachia? Or maybe you?d like to see a sampling of the 43 types of oak trees and 60 types of maple trees that grow here. Tree lovers could be kept busy for weeks explorin... trails.com
The Good Life On Armitage, Chicago, Illinois
Living the good life on Armitage ?even if only for a weekend?is a time and place for dreaming about the future together. Here?s hoping it?s as bright as the gleaming restorations and trendy businesses you?ll enjoy here. You m... trails.com
Deer Grove Loop, Barrington, Illinois
The rolling landscape at Deer Grove is blanketed with thick groves of oak, hickory, and maple. Mixed in with the dense forest are ravines, marshes, ponds, and the occasional stream straddled by picturesque old limestone bridg... trails.com
Danada Forest Preserve Hike, Naperville, Illinois
Nestled in an unlikely spot between subdivisions and I-88, Danada Forest Preserve offers some terrific hiking through wide-open prairies and gently sloping savannas. Once a training ground for top racehorses, Danada still cat... trails.com
Skokie Lagoons And River Hike, Northfield, Illinois
Surrounded by urban development, the islands and the scenic waterways of the Skokie Lagoons provide a wooded refuge just 15 miles north of the Loop. After skirting the southern edge of the lagoons, this route delivers you to ... trails.com
Tekakwitha - Fox River Hike, Wayne, Illinois
This hike leads you through two pleasant forest preserves divided by a scenic section of the Fox River dotted with wooded islands. While hiking through Tekakwitha, visitors will enjoy the wooded ravines, bottomland forest, sa... trails.com
Chicago, Il: Deer Grove Forest Preserve
The Deer Grove Forest Preserve-an 1,800-acre reserve in Cook County just outside Chicago-is home to an extensive hardwood forest sprinkled with wetlands, ravines, the occasional stream, and over 13 miles of trail. Th... trimbleoutdoors.com
Chicago, Il: Blackwell Forest Preserve
The Blackwell Forest Preserve is home to DuPage County's first wetland restoration project: McKee Marsh. Now the centerpiece of the preserve, the large marsh hosts dozens of species of migratory birds including heron... trimbleoutdoors.com
Chicago, Il: Morton Arboretum Heritage Trail
With more than 3,400 species of trees and plants, the Morton Arboretum is a living museum, a local treasure, and a worthwhile destination west of Chicago. This easy, 1.6-mile walk through the East Woods is a great wa... trimbleoutdoors.com
Chicago Botanic Gardens
The Chicago Botanic Garden?with its world-renowned plant collections and displays, the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School, and plant conservation efforts?is one of the country?s most visited public gardens and a preeminent cen... famplosion.com
Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve Loop, Hinsdale, Illinois
You may be surprised to find this much natural beauty just 20 miles from the Loop. Nearly this entire hike accompanies Salt Creek as it meanders next to a bluff and winds around a couple of islands on its way to the historic ... trails.com
Lakewood Forest Preserve Loop, Wauconda, Illinois
This quiet hike takes you through a gently rolling oak forest dotted with cattail marshes and attractive lakes. After finishing up this hike, visitors may want to explore one of the best county museums in the state, or go for... trails.com
Chicago, Il: Lakewood Forest Preserve
At 2,578 acres, Lakewood Forest Preserve is the largest forest preserve in Lake County and boasts gently rolling oak forest dotted with patches of wetland. The park's marshes are also breeding grounds for several end... trimbleoutdoors.com