Michael
Ottawa Canyon
Ottawa, Illinois
5.0
0.66 mi
/ 112 ft gain
This canyon is not as popular as some of the others in this park but it is my favorite by far. You can either make this a short hike from the Ottawa Canyon Trailhead on the east side of the park or hike the full 3.9 miles (one-way) from the visitor center. Either way you will not be disappointed.
Starved Rock has some very interesting rock formations you can explore. The valley was formed by...
St. Louis Canyon
Oglesby, Illinois
5.0
2.72 mi
/ 440 ft gain
The hike from the visitor center or lodge is 1.35 miles. For a shorter hike you can park just south of the park entrance on Route 178 and hike 10 minutes to the canyon and falls. Spring is the best time to see the waterfall and winter also provides a unique perspective once the waterfall freezes and turns into an ice fall.
Starved Rock has some very interesting rock formations you can explore...
Black Oak Trail
Willow Springs, Illinois
4.5
2.64 mi
/ 148 ft gain
The trails traverse a rolling glacial highland of oak woods and prairie. The hiking trails connect to miles of multi-use trails where you can hike, mountain bike, cross country ski and snowshoe. Lastly, there is an interpretive center with exhibits about local nature and history.
The trailhead starts just west of the Farm Pond Trail and interpretive center and loops for 2.6 miles through a w...
Hike the Sleeping Bear Point Trail
Glen Arbor, Michigan
5.0
2.8 mi
The Sleeping Bear Point Trail is a 2.8 mile loop through the sand dunes with amazing views of Lake Michigan and South Manitou Island. There is a 0.5 mile spur hike from the trailhead to the Lake Michigan beach. It is less strenuous than the hike from the Dune Climb to Lake Michigan.
Wildcat Canyon Waterfall
Oglesby, Illinois
4.5
1.77 mi
/ 427 ft gain
If you happen to find yourself in the Chicagoland area be sure to check out the Wildcat Canyon hike at Starved Rock State Park. This is a 2 mile out and back hike from the visitor's center that leads to the largest waterfall in the park. There are two viewpoints from the top of the canyon or you can descend the stairs to the bottom and explore the canyon. The waterfall tends to be at its fulles...
Cemetery Hill
Willow Springs, Illinois
2 mi
/ 100 ft gain
Just outside of Chicago the Palos Region of the Cook County Forest Preserve offers a few thousand acres of dirt single track and limestone paths. Here you will find rolling hills and bluff that will rev up your hill workouts.
This single track loop is great for mountain biking and trail running. You can access the trail by parking in the Maple Lake East parking lot and finding the trailhead ...
Photograph Yosemite's Half Dome at Glacier Point
Mariposa County, California
4.7
Glacier Point gives you a classic view of Half Dome and Yosemite Valley. You can get a different perspective of Half Dome if you jump on any of the trails heading out of Glacier Point. Illilouette Falls trail gives you a different view of Half Dome. This trail is around 4-5 miles round trip from the Glacier Point parking lot.
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