Madison County, Illinois
99 hiking & walking trails · 2parks, recreation areas & campgrounds · 11 cities. Real OpenStreetMap + Recreation.gov data, with a free trail map for every listing.
About Hiking in Madison County, Illinois
Madison County is home to 99 mapped hiking trails and 2 federal parks, campgrounds, and recreation areas spread across 11 cities. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap contributors; park and campground info comes from Recreation.gov.
Looking for something specific? Search all trails in Madison County or browse parks. Want to narrow further? Pick a city below to see only that city’s outdoor options.
Trails & Parks in Madison County
Up to 101 pinpoints showing trail and park locations across the county.
Cities in Madison County
Click any city to see trails and parks within it.
Sample Parks in Madison County
Sample Trails in Madison County
Curated Guides for Madison County
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there hiking trails in Madison County, Illinois?
Yes — we have 99 mapped hiking and walking trails in Madison 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 Madison County, Illinois?
Horseshoe Lake Hiking Trail near Granite City is rated hard — the toughest classification among Madison County, Illinois's mapped trails.
What is the best hiking trail in Madison County, Illinois for families?
All Trails near Godfrey is one of the best family picks in Madison 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 Madison County, Illinois?
Each of the 99 trails in Madison 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 Madison County, Illinois?
Madison 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 Madison County, Illinois?
Yes — 1 of Madison County, Illinois's parks have mapped campsites, from first-come sites to Recreation.gov reservations. The largest is SILVER MINES with 76 sites. See the full campgrounds guide below for the ranked list.
Where can I find hiking trails and parks near Madison County, Illinois?
Browse all hiking trails, walking trails, parks, and campgrounds across Illinois for more options beyond Madison County, Illinois.
Hiking guides for Illinois
Statewide rankings and guides — useful context for Madison 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.