Illinois

Top 10 Trails in Illinois

Posted 09/16/21 by Shelby Deering in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Illinois, Top10, Trail Destinations

Illinois' Wauponsee Glacial Trail | Photo by TrailLink user alexrauch84

While Illinois is certainly known for its Abraham Lincoln roots, Chicago hot dogs and a certain fictitious teenager who had a pretty great “day off,” the state also holds a claim to fame for its 1,000+ miles of picturesque rail-trails. With a varied mix of multiuse trails that run the gamut from urban areas to charming hamlets to countryside brimming with scenery, it’s clear that Illinois has something for everyone when it comes to their trails. Several paths feature restaurants and boutiques that sidle right up to the trail’s edge. From experienced bikers to novices, hiking families to couples, Illinois is a diverse outdoor destination. Here are just 10 of our favorite trails in the Prairie State.

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Illinois' Wauponsee Glacial Trail | Photo by TrailLink user alexrauch84

Top 10 Trails in Illinois

Posted 09/16/21 by Shelby Deering in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Illinois, Top10, Trail Destinations

While Illinois is certainly known for its Abraham Lincoln roots, Chicago hot dogs and a certain fictitious teenager who had a pretty great “day off,” the state also holds a claim to fame for its 1,000+ miles of picturesque rail-trails. With a varied mix of multiuse trails that run the gamut from urban areas to charming hamlets to countryside brimming with scenery, it’s clear that Illinois has something for everyone when it comes to their trails. Several paths feature restaurants and boutiques that sidle right up to the trail’s edge. From experienced bikers to novices, hiking families to couples, Illinois is a diverse outdoor destination. Here are just 10 of our favorite trails in the Prairie State.

Photo by Shawn Gossman, graphic by RTC

How a Rail-Trail Helped Save My Life and Redirect My Focus

Posted 08/06/21 by Shawn Gossman in America's Trails, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Health and Active Living, Illinois, Trail Moments, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

That first time I rode on the rail-trail, I fell madly in love with it and cycling. I also found my first hiking trail while riding the trail. I then started hiking and eventually created a YouTube channel to show friends and family where I hike and bike.

The stunning 22-mile NorPac trail in Idaho and Montana, is a host trail of the 3,700-mile Great American Rail-Trail. | Photo by TrailLink user cstineyb

Great American Rail-Trail: Long-Distance Adventures

Posted 05/07/21 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Biking, Great American Rail-Trail, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Montana, Tourism , Trail Destinations

During the COVID-19 pandemic, bicycle purchases have surged, and trail use around the country has seen a sustained uptick of more than 50% over previous years. Being outside has helped millions to cope, buoying support—and demand for—projects like the developing 3,700-mile Great American Rail-Trail, the nation’s first cross-country multiuse trail. Here are just a few of the long-distance outdoor adventures to be found along this unique and vital route between Washington State and Washington, D.C.

Along the Illinois Prairie Path in Warrenville | Photo by Beverly Horne/Daily Herald/dailyherald.com

American Icons: Rail-Trails That Helped Shape the National Landscape

Posted 01/22/21 by Amy Kapp in Policy, America's Trails, Building Trails | Tagged with Featured Magazine Articles, Federal, History Happened Here, Illinois

Over the last 60 years, rail-trails have gone from a quiet idea to pillars of America’s social, health, economic, environmental and transportation landscapes—with more than 2,200 rail-trails today encompassing some 24,000+ miles across the United States. Here, as Rails-to-Trails Conservancy celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, we take a closer look at some of the country’s earliest rail-trails, and how they helped inspire and build a nationwide movement.

Pennsylvania's Three Rivers Heritage Trail | Photo courtesy Healthy Ride, Pittsburgh Bike Share

Eight Urban Experiences Along the Great American Rail-Trail

Posted 08/10/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, District Of Columbia, Great American Rail-Trail, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Trail Destinations, TrailNation, Washington, Wyoming

The Great American Rail-Trail, covering some 3,700 miles across the country, will be accessible by nearly 50 million people within 50 miles of the route. Here is a sampling of some of the unique close-to-home experiences that city dwellers along the way can already enjoy.

Prairie Grassland along the Heartland Pathways in Illinois | Photo by Chris Bucher

Saving America's Prairies: Illinois Leaders and Rail-Trail Advocates Work to Restore a Dwindling System

Posted 07/14/20 by Elizabeth Striano in America's Trails | Tagged with Ecology and Environment, Featured Magazine Articles, Illinois, TrailsTransform, Wild and Wonderful

From a distance, the flowers and grasses growing alongside the old highways and roads in East Central Illinois can look remarkably Like dense stands of nuisance weeds. But those who take the time to stop and get out of their car for a closer look will be rewarded with bursts of color and a variety of leaf shapes and sizes from hundreds of species of wildflowers and tallgrasses— some that can tower up to eight feet.

Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail | Photo by TrailLink user orangedoug

The Great American Rail-Trail: Projects to Watch in 2020

Posted 05/08/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Building Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Encouraging Trail Use, Great American Rail-Trail, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, TrailNation, Washington

At the end of last year, RTC reported that nearly $13 million in funding has been secured for Great American segments, which will help close trail gaps and improve existing sections of trail along the 3,700-mile route between Washington, D.C., and Washington State. This year, nearly 100 miles of new trail along the route are expected to be completed. As a pre-kick-off to May, here’s a sneak peek at a handful of these exciting projects.

Hennepin Canal Parkway | Courtesy Friends of the Hennepin Canal

Outdoor Adventures Along the Great American Rail-Trail

Posted 02/27/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Great American Rail-Trail, Idaho, Illinois, Nebraska, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations

The Great American Rail-TrailTM spans more than 3,700 miles between Washington, D.C., and Washington State, traversing some of America’s most iconic and scenic natural wonders. While still in progress, it already connects us to our shared heritage, nature and each other in unforgettable ways.

Lake Easton State Park in Washington | Courtesy Washington State Parks

Eight Scenic State Parks for RV Camping Along the Great American Rail-Trail

Posted 01/29/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Great American Rail-Trail, Hall of Fame, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, TrailNation, Washington

To experience a trail of such length—the Great American spans more than 3,700 miles—some may prefer to hop in an RV to cover greater distances and experience more trails within the route. Near many of these trails, travelers can often find state parks tucked along the banks of scenic rivers or lakes, providing idyllic settings for camping. Here are a few of these picturesque parks along the Great American that are perfect for a long-distance journey of RV-plus-trail.

MCT Goshen Trail | Photo courtesy Metro East Park & Recreation District

Illinois’ MCT Goshen Trail

Posted 01/13/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Connected Systems, Corridors and Railbanking, Demand for Trails, Illinois, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

Madison County Transit—the “MCT” part of the trail name—owns and manages nearly 140 miles of trails, which connect more than 20 communities and allow residents to get virtually anywhere within the county. With a newly opened extension of the MCT Goshen Trail, travelers can now also access neighboring St. Clair County by trail for the first time. Providing even more transit options for locals, many of St. Clair County’s trails are being developed to intertwine with MetroLink, the region’s light rail system.

Photo courtesy Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Shining a Light on the Transformative Impact of Trails in the Quad Cities

Posted 09/12/19 by Brandi Horton in Building Trails, Policy, America's Trails | Tagged with Connected Systems, Demand for Trails, Facts and FIgures, Great American Rail-Trail, Illinois, Iowa, Local Organizing, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, TrailNation, TrailsTransform

The Riverfront and Great River trails, both host trails of the Great American and “spines” of a regional trail system between the states. Yet, while those trails have been so important to the region’s riverfront revitalization strategy, there is much more benefit that could be realized if two key gaps are filled, one in the Riverfront Trail in Davenport, Iowa, and the “Critical Gap Connector” between the Great River Trail and the Hennepin Canal Parkway in Illinois.