Shelby County, Illinois
32 hiking & walking trails · 7parks, recreation areas & campgrounds · 4 cities. Real OpenStreetMap + Recreation.gov data, with a free trail map for every listing.
About Hiking in Shelby County, Illinois
Shelby County is home to 32 mapped hiking trails and 7 federal parks, campgrounds, and recreation areas spread across 4 cities. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap contributors; park and campground info comes from Recreation.gov.
Looking for something specific? Search all trails in Shelby County or browse parks. Want to narrow further? Pick a city below to see only that city’s outdoor options.
Trails & Parks in Shelby County
Up to 39 pinpoints showing trail and park locations across the county.
Cities in Shelby County
Click any city to see trails and parks within it.
Sample Parks in Shelby County
Sample Trails in Shelby County
Curated Guides for Shelby County
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there hiking trails in Shelby County, Illinois?
Yes — we have 32 mapped hiking and walking trails in Shelby County, Illinois, sourced from OpenStreetMap. Browse the full list below, with distance, elevation, and difficulty for each.
What is the best hiking trail in Shelby County, Illinois for families?
Arrowhead to Adirondack Shelter Trail near Findlay is one of the best family picks in Shelby 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 Shelby County, Illinois?
Each of the 32 trails in Shelby 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 Shelby County, Illinois?
Shelby County, Illinois has 7 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 Shelby County, Illinois?
Yes — 2 of Shelby County, Illinois's parks have mapped campsites, from first-come sites to Recreation.gov reservations. The largest is LITHIA SPRINGS with 109 sites. See the full campgrounds guide below for the ranked list.
Where can I find hiking trails and parks near Shelby County, Illinois?
Browse all hiking trails, walking trails, parks, and campgrounds across Illinois for more options beyond Shelby County, Illinois.
Hiking guides for Illinois
Statewide rankings and guides — useful context for Shelby 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.