Hiking Trails & Parks in Chicago, Illinois
576 trails & 1 parks in Chicago, located in Cook County, Illinois.
About Outdoor Recreation in Chicago, Illinois
Chicago offers 576 mapped hiking trails and 1 federally managed parks within the city or nearby. Located in Cook County, Illinois, it’s a starting point for hikers, campers, and casual nature seekers.
Explore more nearby: Cook County overview, all Cook County trails, or statewide Illinois list.
Parks & Campgrounds in Chicago
Hiking Trails in Chicago
From the OutsideAtlas Blog
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.