We’ve compiled a list of the 20 best hiking trails near Chicago. From trails for families to treks along forest preserves, these trails are among the many things to do in Chicago.
Urban/Within Chicago Trails
Chicago Outerbelt Route | 210 miles | Elevation 3,784 ft. | Moderate to Challenging
The Chicago Outerbelt hiking trail allows you to circle the entire city through the beautiful Forest Preserves of Cook County. Hiking Chicago estimates you can complete the entire 210-mile route in 20 days, walking by day and camping beneath the stars at night.
- Location: Encircles Chicago
- Distance: 210 miles
- Elevation gain: Varying heights; but peaks at 3,784 ft.
- Difficulty: For experienced hikers
- Time to complete: The entire 210+ mile route can be completed in 20 days
- Trail type (loop/out-and-back): Loop trail
- Dog-friendly? Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a leash.
- Pro-tip: The route can be accessed at various well-marked waypoints, revealing hidden spots. Use the Chicago Outerbelt map for directions.
Humboldt Paths & Trails (Illinois) | 1.7 miles | Elevation 16 ft. | Easy to moderate
Humboldt Park is the beating heart of Chicago's Puerto Rican community, and there's no better way to explore the neighborhood than trekking its Humboldt hiking trails.
Enjoy the stunning scenery from the water by renting a paddle boat or taking a dip at the lakeside swimming area.
- Location: Chicago
- Distance: 1.7 miles
- Elevation gain: 16 ft.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time to complete: Roughly half an hour
- Trail type (loop/out-and-back): Loop trail
- Dog-friendly? Dogs are welcome and can be kept off-leash in some areas.
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Garfield Park (Illinois) | 2.4 miles | Elevation 13 ft. | Easy
Garfield Park is one of the most impressive networks of hiking trails in Chicago. For hikers who appreciate the juxtaposition of nature and architecture, a glance at the tallest buildings in Chicago from this vantage point offers a unique perspective.
- Location: Chicago
- Distance: 1.7 miles
- Elevation gain: 16 ft.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time to complete: Roughly half an hour
- Trail type (loop/out-and-back): Loop trail
- Dog-friendly? Dogs are welcome and can be kept off-leash in some areas.
- Pro tip: Check out the Garfield Park Fieldhouse and marvel at its terrazzo floor, sculptural features, and magnificent gold-leaf dome.
Canalport Riverwalk Path & Trails (Illinois) | 0.5 miles | Elevation 13 ft. | Easy
Canalport Riverwalk Trail offers a different perspective of Chicago’s industrial heartland. The path hugs the banks of the South Branch Chicago River and Santa Fe Slip, a route traveled by cargo boats in the 1880s between the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes, helping Chicago earn its stripes as a major American trade hub.
- Location: Chicago
- Distance: 1.5 miles
- Elevation gain: 13 ft.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time to complete: Under half an hour
- Trail type (loop/out-and-back): Loop trail
- Dog-friendly? Dogs allowed
- Pro tip: After ambling along the trails, we recommend kicking back and relaxing in the Canalport Riverwalk park. This lush, green space provides a shady chillout spot against an urban backdrop and offers stunning views of the cityscape.
Armor Park-Bridgeport (Illinois) | 1.9 miles | Elevation 59 ft. | Easy
Armour Square Park offers an easy hiking trail in the heart of White Sox territory. The park itself is 10 acres, but it packs half a mile of gentle walking trails—and a lot of history into a compact space. It's perfect for a local stroll as you walk off a slice of Chicago's renowned deep-dish pizza.
- Location: 15 minutes from downtown Chicago
- Distance: 1.9 miles
- Elevation gain: 59 ft.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time to complete: 35 minutes
- Trail type (loop/out-and-back): Loop trail
- Dog-friendly? Yes (must be leashed)
- Pro tip: Bring the whole family to enjoy its spray pool and a calendar of cultural events, including the Chinese New Year Parade.
Nearby Suburb Trails
Salt Creek Greenway Trail (Illinois) | 25 miles | 229 ft. | Easy to moderate
Salt Creek Greenway Trail is a pedestrian and bicycle trail that runs from Busse Forest to the Brookfield Zoo. Wildlife enthusiasts flock here because the trail spans two separate forest preserves. There’s a whole zoo to discover beneath the shaded, verdant canopies that hug the trail.
- Location: Chicago suburbs
- Distance: 25 miles of trail
- Elevation gain: 229 ft.
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Time to complete: 4-5 hours to complete
- Trail type (loop/out-and-back): Out-and-back trail
- Dog-friendly? Dogs allowed but must remain on a leash.
Prairie Wolf Slough (Illinois) | 1 mile | 9.8 ft. | Easy
Prairie Wolf Slough is a well-maintained loop trail enjoyed by hikers from all walks of life. Though unpaved, the trail is often considered ideal for long distance runners in training—low elevation makes it easy to focus on distance, and little else.
- Location: Greater Chicago area
- Distance: 25 miles of trail
- Elevation gain: 9.8 ft.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time to complete: About an hour to complete
- Trail type (loop/out-and-back): Loop trail
- Dog-friendly? Dogs allowed but must remain on a leash.
- Pro tip: Looking to stay active long after running season’s over and done with? Come winter, this trail is a hotspot for cross-country skiers.
North Branch Trail (Illinois) | 20 miles | Elevation 314 ft. | Easy to moderate
North Branch Trail offers breathtaking views of the North Branch of the Chicago River and is accessible via foot or bike. This 20-mile trail snakes along the riverbank. It winds through beautiful, wooded conservation sites teeming with diverse bird species and other wildlife.
- Location: Greater Chicago area
- Distance: 20 miles
- Elevation gain: 314 ft.
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Time to complete: 1h15 minutes
- Trail type (loop/out-and-back): Greenway trail
- Dog-friendly? Yes, but dogs must remain on a leash
- Pro tip: Combine your hike with a trip to the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe.
Des Plaines River Trail (Illinois) | 28.4 miles | Elevation 259 ft. | Easy to moderate
The Des Plaines River Trail leads visitors through shady sugar maple and oak woods. You can enter and exit the unpaved trail from any of the 20 preserves along the route. It's ideal for both short lunchtime strolls and longer adventures.
- Location: Greater Chicago area
- Distance: 28.4 miles
- Elevation gain: Elevation 259 ft.
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Time to complete: 6 hours 45 minutes
- Trail type (loop/out-and-back): Greenway trail
- Dog-friendly? Dogs on leash
Day-Trip Chicago Trails
Starved Rock State Park (Illinois) | 13 miles | Elevation 650 ft. | Moderate
Starved Rock State Park is for anyone longing to escape the hustle and bustle of the city center. This beloved park is one of the top destinations for hiking near Chicago. It features 18 canyons (French, LaSalle, Ottawa, and St. Louis Canyons, to name a few) flanked by imposing sandstone cliffs.
- Location: 1.5 hours from Chicago
- Distance: 13 miles
- Elevation gain: Elevation 650 ft.
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Time to complete: 1.5 to 2 hours
- Trail type (loop/out-and-back): Loop trail
- Dog-friendly? Dogs on leash
- Pro tip: Check out Wildcat Canyon and its impressive 90-foot waterfall.
Ice Age Trail (Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin) | 30 miles | Up to 500 ft. | Moderate to extremely challenging
Explore the Ice Age Trail to see winding eskers and moraines revealing the forest's glacial origins. For an easier hike, follow the Butler Lake Loop for gorgeous views of the lake and Flynn's Spring. Though several hours from Chicago proper, the trek is well worth the distance.
- Location: 5 hours from Chicago
- Distance: 30 miles
- Elevation gain: Up to 650 ft.
- Difficulty: Moderate to extremely challenging
- Time to complete: 1.5 to 2 hours
- Trail type (loop/out-and-back): Loop trail
- Dog-friendly? Dogs on leash
- Pro tip: Check out Wildcat Canyon and its impressive 90-foot waterfall.
The forest offers diverse hiking trails through hill, forest, and grassland landscapes.
Indiana Dunes National Park (Indiana) | 50 miles | Up to 771 ft. | Easy to challenging
Indiana Dunes National Park is an exquisite hiking trail near, offering over 50 miles of scenic trails, hikers can traverse through towering sand dunes and unspoiled woodlands.
- Location: 45 minutes from downtown Chicago
- Distance: 50 miles
- Elevation gain: 771 ft.
- Difficulty: Easy to challenging
- Time to complete: Approximately three hours
- Trail type (loop/out-and-back): Loop trail
- Dog-friendly? Yes
- Pro tip: Check out the shifting sand dunes along the shorelines of Lake Michigan.
Hidden gems and local favorites
Waterfall Glen Trail Loop (Illinois) | 9.5 miles | Elevation 400 ft. | Easy
The Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve is a must-visit canyon hike near Chicago, that resides just beyond the city limits. The preserve boasts miles of limestone and turf trails encircling the Argonne National Laboratory. The location transports visitors on adventures through scenic savannas and prairies.
- Location: 30 minutes from downtown Chicago
- Distance: 9.5 miles
- Elevation gain: 400 ft.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time to complete: 3 h 7 minutes
- Trail type (loop/out-and-back): Loop trail
- Dog-friendly? No
- Pro tip: The Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve is one of the best places to observe native flora and fauna. The preserve provides a protective haven for 740 plant species and over 300 animals, including vibrant monarch butterflies and majestic bald eagles.
Busse Woods Loop Trail (Illinois) | 7.3 miles | Elevation 101 ft. | Easy
The Busse Woods Loop trail is a much-loved outdoor escape northwest of the city, zig-zagging through the largest forest preserve in Cook County. People love it for its lakeside views, woodlands, and wide paths. Here, you’ll find hikers, bikers, and nature enthusiasts enjoying the view.
- Location: 35 minutes from downtown Chicago
- Distance: 7.3 miles
- Elevation gain: 101 ft.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time to complete: 2 h 11 minutes
- Trail type (loop/out-and-back): Loop trail
- Dog-friendly? Yes (must be leashed)
- Pro tip: When you think Chicago suburbs, chances are “elk herd” doesn’t spring to mind—but there is a herd that resides in a large, enclosed pasture along this trail.
Matthiessen State Park (Illinois) | 5.9 miles | Elevation 364 ft. | Moderate
Matthiessen State Park is a hidden treasure located just a hop, skip, and jump from Starved Rock. The park is home to curious natural rock formations, where minerals from the groundwater stain the sandstone canyon in a kaleidoscope of colors. The upper hiking trails are beginner-friendly, leading visitors past large canyons and waterfalls.
- Location: 1 hour 40 minutes from downtown Chicago
- Distance: 7.3 miles
- Elevation gain: 364 ft.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Time to complete: 2 hours
- Trail type (loop/out-and-back): Loop trail and out-and-back
- Dog-friendly? Yes (must be leashed)
- Pro tip: Visit after a rainfall — that’s when the waterfalls will likely be flowing at their fullest! Just be sure to wear proper hiking boots, as the lower dells can get muddy.
Dune Loop Trail (Illinois Beach State Park, Illinois) | 1.3 miles | Elevation 10 ft. | Easy
Illinois Beach State Park's landscape also makes it a Chicago hiking hotspot. The park features the state's only beach ridge shoreline with over six miles of sandy beaches surrounded by dunes, forests, and marshes. It’s one of the areas most fun trails for families.
- Location: 1 hour 40 minutes from downtown Chicago
- Distance: 1.3 miles
- Elevation gain: 10 ft.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Time to complete: 23 minutes
- Trail type (loop/out-and-back): Loop trail and out-and-back
- Dog-friendly? Yes (must be leashed)
- Pro tip: Pack a picnic to refuel in the park's picturesque picnic grounds.
Lake Defiance Trail (Moraine Hills State Park, Illinois) | 3.9 miles | Elevation 144 ft.
Lake Defiance Trail is a multi-use system that runs through woods and along wetlands that hug a glacial lake. This hike is proof that you don’t have to travel far to find some of the best hiking trails near Chicago. The city boasts incredible green spaces right on your doorstep. Moraine Hills State Park sits nestled and relatively hidden in the northeast suburbs.
- Location: 1 hour from downtown Chicago
- Distance: 3.9 miles
- Elevation gain: 144 ft.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time to complete: 1 h 10 minutes
- Trail type (loop/out-and-back): Loop trail
- Dog-friendly? Yes (must be leashed)
Deer Grove Yellow Loop Trail (Illinois) | 5.7 miles | Elevation 298 ft. | Moderate
Deer Grove Yellow Loop Trail sits on a 2,000-acre site includes hundreds of miles of paved and unpaved hiking trails, suitable for all stamina and ability levels. Don't forget to check out Deer Grove's events for regular family-friendly themed walks, educational sessions, and birding extravaganzas.
- Location: 1 hour from downtown Chicago
- Distance: 5.7 miles
- Elevation gain: 298 ft.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Time to complete: 1 h 45 minutes
- Trail type (loop/out-and-back): Loop trail
- Dog-friendly? Yes (must be leashed)
- Pro tip: Visit in the springtime to see the wildflowers on display!
Austin Paths and Trails (Illinois) | 1.7 miles | Elevation 0 ft. | Easy
Austin Park is a green oasis amongst the retail centers. It features a paved trail spanning the entire length. Its trail is mainly shaded by trees, ideal for cooling off in warm weather. We love grabbing a coffee or light lunch and sitting on a picnic bench to watch the world go by or heading westward to the center of the action.
- Location: 20 minutes from downtown Chicago
- Distance: 1.7 miles
- Elevation gain: Under 10 ft.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time to complete: 32 minutes
- Trail type (loop/out-and-back): Loop trail
- Dog-friendly? Yes (must be leashed)
- Pro tip: Pair your stroll with a visit to nearby shops and eateries.
Avalon Paths and Trails (Illinois) | 1.5 miles | Elevation 6 ft. | Easy
The Avalon Park neighborhood provides easy, accessible walking trails for all ages and abilities. The neighborhood's namesake park has a manageable 1.5 miles of looping trails snaking through 28 acres of idyllic woodland. As you walk, you'll pass by children's play facilities, sports fields, and beautiful picnic groves for meals on the go.
- Location: 30 minutes from downtown Chicago
- Distance: 1.5 miles
- Elevation gain: Under 10 ft.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time to complete: About 30 minutes
- Trail type (loop/out-and-back): Loop trail
- Dog-friendly? Yes (must be leashed)
Frequently asked questions about hiking near Chicago
You have more questions? Here's what hikers often ask when planning hikes near Chicago.
Are trails in Chicago stroller-friendly or kid-friendly?
Yes! The best stroller-friendly trails in Chicago include The Lakefront Trail, popular for its wide, paved path. North Branch Trail is another popular choice, with winding trails through forest preserves. There are many accessible hiking trails near Chicago for families and abilities of all types.
What trails in Chicago have restrooms or picnic areas?
Several trails in Chicago have convenient amenities. Lakefront Trail has multiple restrooms and picnic spots along the way, as does North Brand Trail. Jackson Park and Lincoln Park also have plenty of picnic areas complete with restrooms.
Are there trails that offer wildlife or bird-watching opportunities?
Definitely! North Branch Trail and Skokie Lagoons are well-known for birdwatching and spotting deer, foxes, and other types of wildlife. If you’re looking for a unique experience, Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary along Lakefront Trail happens to be one of Chicago’s most famous birding spots.
Are there free trails to hike?
Yes! Most trails in Chicago are free to use. Lakefront Trail, the 606, North Brand Trail, and most park trails don’t charge any fees to access, as well as the forest preserves located just outside the city.
Discover the natural wonders of the Windy City and beyond
Inspired to grab your walking boots and explore all the outdoor and natural wonders Chicago offers? We hope so! From gentle lakeside strolls to more challenging trails, Chicago and its surrounding areas provide myriad places to appreciate the great outdoors.
Before you leave the Windy City, experience another awe-inspiring journey at our Cirque du Soleil shows in Chicago to experience a world of surreal acrobatics and limitless imagination.