This privately-owned hiking and camping spot in southeast Illinois offers over 900 acres of lush, natural forest to explore.

Incredibly popular, but worth the views, Turkey Run State Park is worth the drive…especially if you’re getting a little tired of flatlands and cornfields.

Located in the Shawnee National Forest system, you can walk on incredible bluffs and dense forest for .5 or 12 miles (or hop on the River to River trail!) at Giant City State park.

Super kid- and pet-friendly, the Sugar Grove Nature Preserve provides about 6 - 7 miles of wide, Illinois trails and several lovely learning opportunities for all ages.

Wildflowers, eagles, cute dogs…this forest preserve in Central Illinois offers seven+ miles of flatland meandering through prairie land and forests.

This park offers nine miles of Illinois-esque hiking trails, enough camping for a small village, and an abundance of wildlife views.

Visiting this Central Illinois Park during early spring means lots of mud, but also, lots of trails (10+ miles!) to explore on your own.

Challenge yourself with this 11.2 mile out and back rolling, winding trail along Lake Shelbyville. Your legs will feel it.

Comlara Park, near Normal, Ill., sits around Lake Evergreen…providing wonderful water views and wildlife sightings.

Kankakee River State Park is magical in the snow and offers visitors miles and miles of trail along the river to explore.

An expansive park, this central Illinois park offers miles and miles of flat-ish trails around Sangchris Lake or through the woods.

Red Hills State Park offers expansive forest views, a lake loop, and fields of wild chives.

These rolling trails, open to hikers and skiers, will provide you with excellent countryside views and a desire for a strong drink and lots of carbs post-walk.

Beaver Dam State Park’s picturesque lake views make this a worthy stop if you’re traveling through the area.

This centralized campground will put you on the River to River trail, spanning 160 miles (but just walk 11 and check out Garden of the Gods).

Packed all summer long, wait until winter to visit one of the most beautiful parks in Illinois.

Located in Central WI, Roche-A-Cri is a perfect park for winter hiking. If you’re lucky, you may get the whole place to yourself to explore the winding loop trail and rock formations.

Escape from Illinois, in Illinois! Truly a transformative hiking experience, and one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited.

Across the lake from Eagle Creek, Wolf Creek has a vast campground with several smaller trails winding through.

Eagle Creek is a perfect mix of hike (including an 11 miler) with beach. It’s a unique park located in the heart of Central Illinois.