Illinois
Starved Rock State Park is known for sandstone canyons, while Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest delivers broad rock-top views. Visit on a weekday…
Starved Rock State Park is known for sandstone canyons, while Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest delivers broad rock-top views. Visit on a weekday to avoid the biggest crowds.
Why Illinois trails surprise almost everyone
Most people picture Illinois as flat farmland, which is exactly why its best trails feel like a plot twist. In the north, Starved Rock State Park cuts sandstone canyons through the landscape, while far to the south, the Shawnee National Forest and its Garden of the Gods offer broad rock-top views over rolling forest. Few states hide two such different hiking worlds inside one border — you just have to drive a little to find them.
What to do, step by step
- Pick your region first: the canyons of Starved Rock or the rock formations of Shawnee National Forest, since they sit hours apart.
- Check park conditions, trail closures, and the weather before you go — canyon trails get slippery after rain.
- Time your visit for a weekday, and start early, to enjoy the popular spots with far fewer people.
- Carry more water than you think you need, wear sturdy shoes with grip, and pack out everything you bring in.
- Stay on marked trails, especially near canyon edges and rock overlooks, where the ground can be worn and slick.
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