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ILLINOIS
Featured National Recreation Trails

A sampling of National Recreation Trails in the news or recently designated. The NRT program showcases the diversity of trails across America, from our cities and suburbs to the deserts, waterways, and high mountains.

 

National Recreation Trails... America's great trails!

Every kind of trail activity is represented in the listing of designated NRTs. Besides hiking and bicycling, the system includes water trails, motorized routes, snow tracks, greenways, and equestrian paths.

Search all of Illinois's designated National Recreation Trails in the Online NRT Database

 

Danada & Herrick Lake Regional Trail — Located in the western suburbs of Chicago, this 5-mile regional trail is a haven for area residents and promotes the educational, recreational, and health benefits of trails. The trail allows for a variety of outdoor activities amidst prairie, woodland, and marsh habitats within the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. Interpretive trail signage helps visitors better understand the region's native flora and fauna. Bicyclists, equestrians, cross country skiers, and wildlife enthusiasts are just some of the groups who enjoy what this trail has to offer in a densely populated setting (designated 2004).

Great River Trail — The 60-mile trail is part of a larger regional trail network, including the 500-mile Grand Illinois Trail and proposed 10-state Mississippi River Trail. The route includes a variety of tourist attractions and natural features including spectacular views of the Mississippi River, Native American mounds, and rookeries of the Great Blue Heron. This trail is a valued resource in the Greater Quad Cities region, which was the site of the 2006 National Trails Symposium (designated 2003).

Hennepin Canal Parkway — Spanning almost 173 miles across 3 counties, this multi-use trail system takes users through the rolling agricultural land of the western north central part of the state. The parkway allows for a variety of recreational activities along a historically significant resource, the nation's first canal constructed of concrete and the model for the Panama Canal. Within this unique setting, there are ample opportunities for biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding, and canoeing (designated 2004).

Kaskaskia River Confluence Trail provides access to the shoreline at the confluence of the Kaskaskia and Mississippi Rivers. This is the only public river access site on the banks of the Mississippi River for 100 miles in the State of Illinois. The trail traverses a high quality bottomland forested area and is used for walking, bicycling, jogging, and educational and interpretive programs on river history, navigation and shipping (designated 2010).

Lake Michigan National Water Trail - Chicago to New Buffalo Segment — Running through three States, the 75-mile Chicago to New Buffalo Segment of the Lake Michigan Water Trail is part of a larger vision for a nationally designated water trail around the entirety of Lake Michigan. This segment covers Chicago’s lakefront in Illinois and the entire coast of Indiana to New Buffalo in Michigan, easily accessible to the more than six million people who live in the five counties adjacent to the trail. The trail takes paddlers on a journey past urban shorelines, natural and remote lakeshore landscapes, industry, and beach communities (designated 2011).

Lower Cache River Trail — This 3-mile trail is the result of a successful partnership between the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the U.S Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Nature Conservancy, which is working to preserve, restore, and manage a 60,000-acre complex of wetlands. The trail and surrounding area contains true southern swamps, 100 state-threatened or endangered plant and animal species, and 11 state champion trees. In addition to its many natural resources, the trail also provides recreational opportunities including fishing and kayaking (designated 2002).

Moraine Hills Trail System — The four components of this trail system in Moraine Hills State Park total 10.2 miles for cycling, mountain biking, hiking, running, and cross-country skiing (designated 2009).

Rend Lake Bike Trail — In addition to providing hiking, biking, and fishing opportunities, this meandering trail extends over 19 miles through some of the most diverse and scenic habitat that Southern Illinois has to offer (designated 2008).

Rock Island State Trail — This 27-mile rail-trail named after the abandoned Rock Island Railroad line, traverses central Illinois farmland through a variety of natural settings. The trail corridor preserves a piece of history amidst prairie grasses, wildflowers and trestle bridges. In addition to its natural and historic features, trail users can enjoy hiking, mountain biking and wildlife viewing (designated 2003).

Springbrook Prairie Trail — Located in a 1,800-acre oasis amidst the western suburbs of Chicago, this 9-mile loop trail system provides for a variety of recreational opportunities while protecting meadows, prairies, wetlands, and 3 state-endangered bird species. In addition to its rare ecological features, the trail allows for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding. The trail continues to grow and will eventually link to a model aircraft field and an off-leash dog facility. Resulting from the efforts of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and local partners, this system is a model for future trail projects and a fine example of what can be achieved through a successful partnership (designated 2004).

Tunnel Hill State Trail — Extending from downtown Harrisburg to Karnak, this 45-mile rail-trail connects numerous communities and provides a link to a larger trail network, including the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and Harrisburg's bike trail. This trail not only offers a variety of recreational opportunities (such as hiking, biking, and fishing), but trail users can also observe the wildlife habitat of the Cache River State Natural Area. Through its array of partners and community connections, this trail is connecting southern Illinois in a truly unique way (designated 2005).

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The on-line database has details on the currently designated National Recreation Trails. The NRT Program online is hosted by American Trails: www.AmericanTrails.org

Need trail skills and education? Do you provide training? Join the National Trails Training Partnership!

 

The NTTP Online Calendar connects you with courses, conferences, and trail-related training

 

Promote your trail through the National Recreation Trails Program

 

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The National Recreation Trails Program
American Trails, P.O. Box 491797, Redding, CA 96049-1797
Phone (530) 547-2060 • Fax: (530) 547-2035 •
nrt@americantrails.org • www.AmericanTrails.org