Cook County, Illinois
1,537 hiking & walking trails · 3parks, recreation areas & campgrounds · 79 cities. Real OpenStreetMap + Recreation.gov data, with a free trail map for every listing.
About Hiking in Cook County, Illinois
Cook County is home to 1,537 mapped hiking trails and 3 federal parks, campgrounds, and recreation areas spread across 79 cities. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap contributors; park and campground info comes from Recreation.gov.
Looking for something specific? Search all trails in Cook County or browse parks. Want to narrow further? Pick a city below to see only that city’s outdoor options.
Trails & Parks in Cook County
Up to 203 pinpoints showing trail and park locations across the county.
Cities in Cook County
Click any city to see trails and parks within it.
55 more cities in this county.
Sample Parks in Cook County
Sample Trails in Cook County
Curated Guides for Cook County
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there hiking trails in Cook County, Illinois?
Yes — we have 1,537 mapped hiking and walking trails in Cook County, Illinois, sourced from OpenStreetMap. Browse the full list below, with distance, elevation, and difficulty for each.
What is the most difficult hiking trail in Cook County, Illinois?
East Loop near Techny is rated hard — the toughest classification among Cook County, Illinois's mapped trails.
What is the best hiking trail in Cook County, Illinois for families?
OBT-2 near Chicago is one of the best family picks in Cook County, Illinois — easy difficulty and 0.2 miles round trip, short enough for kids and first-timers. See the full family hiking guide below for more options.
Is there a trail map for Cook County, Illinois?
Each of the 1,537 trails in Cook County, Illinois has its own page with an interactive map, GPS coordinates, and a link to view it on OpenStreetMap — no app or account needed.
What parks and recreation areas are in Cook County, Illinois?
Cook County, Illinois has 3 parks, recreation areas, and federal facilities in our index (1 classified as recreation areas). Each listing includes activities, photos where available, and directions.
Can I go camping in Cook County, Illinois?
We don't show any campgrounds with mapped campsites in Cook County, Illinois right now — check the state level for more camping options nearby.
Where can I find hiking trails and parks near Cook County, Illinois?
Browse all hiking trails, walking trails, parks, and campgrounds across Illinois for more options beyond Cook County, Illinois.
Hiking guides for Illinois
Statewide rankings and guides — useful context for Cook County.
Photo: Sergei AkulichThe 10 Longest Hiking Trails in Illinois, Ranked
Illinois's longest mapped hiking trails, ranked by distance with notes on what makes each route worth the commitment.
Photo: Holly MandarichIllinois's 10 Most Punishing Trails by Elevation Gain
Steep is hard. These are the ten Illinois trails with the most total elevation gain — quad-burners earned by hard climbing.
Photo: Joshua EarleThe Best Beginner-Friendly Hikes in Illinois
Ten gentle, well-marked Illinois trails perfect for first-time hikers, families, or recovery days.
Photo: Sergei AkulichThe 10 Most Challenging Hikes in Illinois
Illinois's ten hardest hikes — expert difficulty, big mileage, or serious exposure. Reserved for experienced hikers.
Photo: Joshua EarleThe Best National Parks & Recreation Areas in Illinois
Federal parks and recreation areas in Illinois ranked by what they actually offer hikers and campers, not just popularity.
Photo: Sergei AkulichBest Waterfall Hikes in Illinois: 10 Trails to See Falls Up Close
Illinois's best hikes to named waterfalls — from short family-friendly viewpoints to all-day cascade chasing.