Lake County, Illinois
268 hiking & walking trails · 2parks, recreation areas & campgrounds · 39 cities. Real OpenStreetMap + Recreation.gov data, with a free trail map for every listing.
About Hiking in Lake County, Illinois
Lake County is home to 268 mapped hiking trails and 2 federal parks, campgrounds, and recreation areas spread across 39 cities. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap contributors; park and campground info comes from Recreation.gov.
Looking for something specific? Search all trails in Lake County or browse parks. Want to narrow further? Pick a city below to see only that city’s outdoor options.
Trails & Parks in Lake County
Up to 202 pinpoints showing trail and park locations across the county.
Cities in Lake County
Click any city to see trails and parks within it.
15 more cities in this county.
Sample Parks in Lake County
Sample Trails in Lake County
Curated Guides for Lake County
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there hiking trails in Lake County, Illinois?
Yes — we have 268 mapped hiking and walking trails in Lake County, Illinois, sourced from OpenStreetMap. Browse the full list below, with distance, elevation, and difficulty for each.
What is the best hiking trail in Lake County, Illinois for families?
21st Street Bicycle Trail near Zion is one of the best family picks in Lake County, Illinois — easy difficulty, short enough for kids and first-timers. See the full family hiking guide below for more options.
Is there a trail map for Lake County, Illinois?
Each of the 268 trails in Lake 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 Lake County, Illinois?
Lake County, Illinois has 2 parks, recreation areas, and federal facilities in our index. Each listing includes activities, photos where available, and directions.
Can I go camping in Lake County, Illinois?
We don't show any campgrounds with mapped campsites in Lake County, Illinois right now — check the state level for more camping options nearby.
Where can I find hiking trails and parks near Lake County, Illinois?
Browse all hiking trails, walking trails, parks, and campgrounds across Illinois for more options beyond Lake County, Illinois.
Hiking guides for Illinois
Statewide rankings and guides — useful context for Lake 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.