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Northwestern Illinois

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Gems in Northwestern Illinois - 3

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gem Favorite Thunderbird Effigy Mound was constructed by Native Americans 1000 years ago, with over a 200 foot wingspan!

Thunderbird Effigy Mound

(1) Galena, IL
gem Favorite The Mississippi River meanders in the distance on a beautiful fall day.

Cooke Overlook

(3) Galena, IL
gem Favorite The Council Ring is the perfect place to spend a summer day.

Council Ring

(3) Galena, IL

Recommended Routes in Northwestern Illinois - 4

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RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Woods give way to grassland
Intermediate

Coral Woods Perimeter

1.8 mi 2.9 km • 81' Up 24.71 m Up • 86' Down 26.33 m Down

Marengo, IL
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite A short stop to enjoy the view.
Intermediate

Matthiessen State Park Loop

2.7 mi 4.4 km • 164' Up 49.97 m Up • 168' Down 51.09 m Down

Deer Park, IL
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Waterfall leading down the canyon.
Intermediate

Starved Rock Loop

5.1 mi 8.1 km • 493' Up 150.12 m Up • 492' Down 149.9 m Down

Deer Park, IL
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite The Rock River Recreation Path crosses Riverside Bridge.
Intermediate

Rock River Recreation Path

9.9 mi 16.0 km • 149' Up 45.43 m Up • 120' Down 36.68 m Down

Rockford, IL

Northwestern Illinois Hiking

  • 141 Miles 227 Kilometers of Trail
  • 4 Recommended Routes
  • 3 Gems Gems
  • 68 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 52 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 1 Difficult Trail Difficult Trails
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Areas Within Northwestern Illinois

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Trails in Northwestern Illinois - 117

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1.4 mi 2.2 km #1Rock River Recreation Path: Davis Park to Rockford YMCA
Easy
Rockford, IL
Easy
Rockford, IL 1 
1.6 mi 2.6 km #2Rock River Recreation Path: Rockford YMCA to Illinois Street Park
Easy
Rockford, IL
Easy
Rockford, IL 1 
2.1 mi 3.3 km #3Rock River Recreation Path: Illinois Street Park to Martin Park
Easy
Loves Park, IL
Easy
Loves Park, IL 1 
0.8 mi 1.3 km #4Grassland Trail
Easy
Mount Morris, IL
Easy
Mount Morris, IL 1 
0.4 mi 0.6 km #5Forest Trail
Easy
Mount Morris, IL
Easy
Mount Morris, IL 1 
0.1 mi 0.1 km #6Creek Trail
Easy
Mount Morris, IL
Easy
Mount Morris, IL 1 
2.0 mi 3.1 km #7Pecatonica Prairie Trail - Pecatonica to County Line
Easy
Pecatonica, IL
Easy
Pecatonica, IL 1 
4.4 mi 7.1 km #8Pecatonica Prairie Trail - Pecatonica to Hoisington Road
Easy
Pecatonica, IL
Easy
Pecatonica, IL 2 
2.1 mi 3.3 km #9Millbrook South Forest Preserve Trail
Easy/Intermediate
Plano, IL
Easy/Intermediate
Plano, IL 1 
1.2 mi 1.9 km #10Charles Mound Trail
Intermediate
Warren, IL
Intermediate
Warren, IL 1 

Photos of Northwestern Illinois - 96

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Bridge leading over a small creek.
Jun 13, 2016 near Deer Park, IL
Waterfall leading down the canyon.
Jun 13, 2016 near Deer Park, IL
LaSalle Canyon Waterfall.
Jun 13, 2016 near Deer Park, IL
French Canyon.
Jun 13, 2016 near Deer Park, IL
I lived 20 mins from this park until I was 19 years old. I never knew about it until I came back home when I was 30 years old. An overcast morning long exposure on the Canyon Trail.
Sep 11, 2017 near Deer Park, IL
A short stop to enjoy the view.
Sep 11, 2017 near Deer Park, IL
Deep ravine scenery on the South Loop at Illiniwek.
Jul 19, 2019 near Hampton, IL
Switchbacks a the end of the North Loop decent.
Jul 19, 2019 near Hampton, IL