I’ve always loved hiking, and I’ve been fortunate enough to experience some of the best trails near Chicago․ From the lush forests of Waterfall Glen to the stunning dunes of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, there’s something for everyone․
One of my favorite hikes is the Waterfall Glen Trail․ This 9-mile loop trail takes you through a beautiful forest with several waterfalls․ The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow, making it a great option for families with young children․
If you’re looking for a more challenging hike, I recommend the Dunewood Trail at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore; This 3-mile loop trail takes you through a variety of habitats, including forests, dunes, and marshes․ The trail is hilly in some sections, but the views of Lake Michigan are worth the effort․
Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve
I’ve hiked many trails near Chicago, but Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve is one of my favorites․ This 2,500-acre preserve is home to a variety of habitats, including forests, prairies, and wetlands․ There are over 10 miles of hiking trails to choose from, ranging from easy to challenging․
One of my favorite trails is the Waterfall Glen Trail․ This 9-mile loop trail takes you through a beautiful forest with several waterfalls․ The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow, making it a great option for families with young children․
I started my hike at the Waterfall Glen Trailhead․ The trailhead is located on Bluff Road, just east of La Grange Road․ There is a large parking lot at the trailhead, as well as restrooms and a picnic area․
The first part of the trail takes you through a dense forest․ The trail is mostly flat, with a few gentle hills․ As you hike, you’ll pass by several small streams and waterfalls․
After about a mile, you’ll reach the main waterfall, which is a beautiful 25-foot cascade․ There is a viewing platform where you can take a break and enjoy the view․
From the main waterfall, the trail continues through the forest․ The trail becomes a bit more challenging in this section, with some steeper hills․ However, the views of the forest are worth the effort․
After about 2 miles, you’ll reach the junction with the Bluff Trail․ The Bluff Trail is a shorter loop trail that takes you to the top of a bluff overlooking the forest․ I recommend taking the Bluff Trail for the views, but it is a bit more challenging than the Waterfall Glen Trail․
After hiking the Bluff Trail, I returned to the Waterfall Glen Trail and continued my hike․ The trail eventually loops back to the trailhead․
I hiked the Waterfall Glen Trail in the fall, and the colors were beautiful․ However, I’m sure the trail is just as beautiful in the spring and summer․
If you’re looking for a great hike near Chicago, I highly recommend the Waterfall Glen Trail․ The trail is beautiful, well-maintained, and easy to follow․ It’s a great option for families with young children, as well as for experienced hikers․
The Morton Arboretum
I’ve been to the Morton Arboretum many times over the years, but I never get tired of it․ This 1,700-acre arboretum is home to a vast collection of trees from all over the world․ There are over 20 miles of hiking trails to choose from, ranging from easy to challenging․
One of my favorite trails is the Meadow Lake Trail․ This 1․5-mile loop trail takes you through a variety of habitats, including forests, prairies, and wetlands․ The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow, making it a great option for families with young children․
I started my hike at the Visitor Center․ The Visitor Center is located on Route 53, just north of Interstate 88․ There is a large parking lot at the Visitor Center, as well as restrooms and a gift shop․
From the Visitor Center, I followed the signs for the Meadow Lake Trail․ The trail starts out in a forest, but soon enters a prairie․ The prairie is home to a variety of wildflowers, including black-eyed Susans, coneflowers, and milkweed․
After walking through the prairie, the trail enters a wetland․ The wetland is home to a variety of birds, including ducks, geese, and herons․
The trail eventually loops back to the Visitor Center․ I hiked the Meadow Lake Trail in the spring, and the wildflowers were beautiful․ However, I’m sure the trail is just as beautiful in the fall and summer․
If you’re looking for a great hike near Chicago, I highly recommend the Morton Arboretum․ The arboretum is home to a vast collection of trees from all over the world, and there are over 20 miles of hiking trails to choose from․
I also recommend visiting the arboretum in the spring or summer, when the wildflowers are in bloom․
The Dunes National Lakeshore
I’ve been hiking at the Dunes National Lakeshore for years, and I’m always amazed by its beauty․ This 15-mile stretch of shoreline is home to a variety of habitats, including forests, dunes, and marshes․ There are over 50 miles of hiking trails to choose from, ranging from easy to challenging․
One of my favorite trails is the Dune Succession Trail․ This 0․5-mile loop trail takes you through a variety of dune habitats, from the youngest dunes to the oldest․ The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow, making it a great option for families with young children․
I started my hike at the Dune Succession Trailhead․ The trailhead is located on Highway 12, just east of the Indiana Dunes State Park entrance․ There is a large parking lot at the trailhead, as well as restrooms and a picnic area․
From the trailhead, I followed the signs for the Dune Succession Trail․ The trail starts out in a young dune․ The young dunes are home to a variety of plants, including beachgrass and cottonwood trees․
As I walked along the trail, the dunes gradually got older․ The older dunes are home to a variety of trees and shrubs, including oak trees and black cherry trees․
The trail eventually loops back to the trailhead․ I hiked the Dune Succession Trail in the fall, and the colors of the leaves were beautiful․ However, I’m sure the trail is just as beautiful in the spring and summer․
If you’re looking for a great hike near Chicago, I highly recommend the Dunes National Lakeshore․ The lakeshore is home to a variety of habitats, and there are over 50 miles of hiking trails to choose from․
I also recommend visiting the lakeshore in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild․
Starved Rock State Park
I’ve been hiking at Starved Rock State Park for years, and I’m always amazed by its beauty․ This 2,630-acre park is home to 18 canyons, waterfalls, and bluffs․ There are over 13 miles of hiking trails to choose from, ranging from easy to challenging․
One of my favorite trails is the St․ Louis Canyon Trail․ This 2․5-mile loop trail takes you through a variety of habitats, including forests, canyons, and bluffs․ The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow, making it a great option for families with young children․
I started my hike at the St․ Louis Canyon Trailhead․ The trailhead is located on Route 178, just east of the park entrance․ There is a large parking lot at the trailhead, as well as restrooms and a picnic area․
From the trailhead, I followed the signs for the St․ Louis Canyon Trail․ The trail starts out in a forest․ The forest is home to a variety of trees, including oak trees, maple trees, and hickory trees․
As I walked along the trail, I came to the first canyon․ The canyon is about 100 feet deep and is home to a variety of plants and animals․
I continued hiking along the trail, and I came to the second canyon․ The second canyon is even deeper than the first canyon, and it is home to a waterfall․
I hiked to the top of the waterfall, and I enjoyed the view․ I could see for miles in every direction․
I continued hiking along the trail, and I eventually looped back to the trailhead․ I hiked the St․ Louis Canyon Trail in the fall, and the colors of the leaves were beautiful․ However, I’m sure the trail is just as beautiful in the spring and summer․
If you’re looking for a great hike near Chicago, I highly recommend Starved Rock State Park․ The park is home to a variety of habitats, and there are over 13 miles of hiking trails to choose from․
I also recommend visiting the park in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild․
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