Chief Illini Trail
We hiked about 5 miles out and 5 miles back, and I promise you’ll hit hills this steep every quarter mile or so. Photo by Jordan Goebig.
Located along Lake Shelbyville near Findlay, Ill. the Chief Illini Trail is a rugged system designed by the Army Corps of Engineers. It’s situated in a wonderful spot for avid hikers, near Wolf Creek State Park and considered part of Eagle Creek State Park.
The Trail
11.2 mile out and back trail (so 22.4 miles if you park in one spot and have to walk back!)
The “end” of the trail can be accessed easily from the entrance to Eagle Creek State Park. As you are driving in, there is a small parking lot about a quarter-mile on the right from the trail entrance. If you park there, you can access a short trail that takes you right to the start of the Chief Illini Trail.
You will encounter significant elevation changes along the loop. Obviously, we hike a ton, and we were surprised (and breathing heavily…)at how many steep hills we had to climb. The good news is that you’re at a high elevation above Lake Shelbyville, so the mud was minimal. A bonus when traveling with a pup.
Trees on the trail are marked with white paint, and fairly often. There are also markers every half-mile. The trail itself can be hard to see due to leaf coverage, but we had no problems staying on it.
Things We Love
It’s hard to find trails with this kind of mileage in Central-ish Illinois - we appreciated it and the workout we got from traversing the peaks and valleys along the lake.
You get really beautiful, expansive lake views, as well as an opportunity to access the beach at times if you’re feeling adventurous. There are tons of beautiful, old trees…which if you read enough of these, you'll see a pattern. I love them. The birds and deer were in abundance.
We were out during perfect hiking weather, in the mid-40s, and lots of sunshine, but we only encountered one other hiking group. I suspect you’ll get a lot of privacy on this system, especially during “off-season” months, which is perfect for those who want to avoid people or have responsible dogs that like to wander.
Things to Know
There are several bridges you must pass through, and some of them are in very rough shape/falling apart. Take things slow and steady, and be aware that you may have to get a bit muddy and wet at times. I’d strongly recommend good hiking boots for this trail.
They do close down this trail during hunting season, so be mindful of the time of year. Based on the number of trees and leaves down, I would guess that this is an absolutely stunning trail in the fall. Try to catch it before hunting season starts!
If you do not go all the way into Eagle Creek State Park, there are no amenities in the parking lot. If you need to use the bathroom or refill water, you’ll want to check out the park first.
Eagle Creek State Park does have camping and additional trails. This would be a great park to camp at and challenge yourself to do the full trail! Wolf Creek State Park is only about 15 minutes away.