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The Best Hiking In Illinois

Don't let the city walls keep you locked away from the beautiful hiking that awaits in Illinois

Jun 08, 2016

When you think of good hiking trails, Illinois definitely should not be up there on your list of places to stop first. However if you're working in Chicago, or have been stuck living here all your life you learn to make do with what you've got.

These are the 6 trails to feed your hiking needs if you're in Illinois for the summer.

1. Starved Rock State Park

If you have yet to check out Starved Rock, then you really should get out there before the summer crowds take over. This park, located in Utica, is really a world apart from anything else in Illinois- with waterfalls and towering trees you might even forget you're in Illinois.

2. Shawnee National Forest

Totaling about 286,400 acres the Shawnee National Forest is located in the southern tip of Illinois. This is a little out of the way from Chicago but the views are worth it. They have pen hiking, walking tours and special events that happen all summer long. If you have a long weekend to spare this is a great 2-day trip location.

3. Cave-in-Rock State Park

Cave-in-Rock State Park located in Cave-in-Rock, Hardin County, IL was known and used for thousands of years by the Native Americans. The state park contains the historic cave in a rock that is a marker of the Ohio River. Also located near the southern tip of Illinois, this trip will probably take more than one day.

4. Pere Marquette State Park

Located close to the Mississippi River, Pere Marquette State Park has about 12 miles of marked trails, open to horseback riding, and 2,000 acres for hunting in the warmer months. This state park may not have hundreds of miles of trails to explore, but a 12 mile hike can take up a good amount of time.

5. Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve

Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve is a little closer to the city. If you're into water scenes then this is the stop for you. It is known for its waterfall (obviously), but it's actually a dam, which is in a ravine.The main trail is 9.5 miles long, but hikers, bicyclists, horseback riders and cross-country skiers in the winter can enjoy some of Waterfall Glen’s scenic areas via four mapped trails.

6. Chain O'Lakes State Park

If you're looking to go a little closer to Wisconsin, Chain O'Lakes State Park is the perfect place to hike and camp out for the weekend. With nearly 6,500 acres of water and 488 miles of shoreline, Chain O'Lakes State Park is the heart of a water wonderland.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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The Best Hiking In Illinois

Don't let the city walls keep you locked away from the beautiful hiking that awaits in Illinois

1. Starved Rock State Park

2. Shawnee National Forest

3. Cave-in-Rock State Park

4. Pere Marquette State Park

5. Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve

6. Chain O'Lakes State Park

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1. "Unlimited Freedom!"

2. "Dorm Life!"

3. "Never mind, where is my apartment?"

4. "Whose idea was this 8 AM?"

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6. "I don't have the brain capacity for this"

7. "Wow, college is great"

It's easier than you think.

1. Look into Housing and Dining.

2. Pay attention to campus postings.

3. Find common interest groups.

4. Join an intramural sports team.

5. Work on a cause that you care about.

6. Join a club related to your major.

7. Get an on-campus job.

8. Volunteer.

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

1. You need people to hang out with.

2. You don’t want to be stuck alone eating lunch or dinner.

3. Weekends suck without anyone to share them with.

4. College will be miserable for you.

5. Finding a roommate for the following year will be impossible.

6. You need someone to talk to about personal stuff or homework that isn’t your mom.

7. Classes will be boring and quiet for you if you don’t know anyone.

8. Walking around campus is just awkward.

9. Homework help and study buddies do not exist.

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2. Confidence

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4. Self Esteem

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4. You eat all your meals at a library cubby, not at your own house.

5. You take the quiet floors very seriously.

6. Any night you are not at the library is a special occasion.

7. You have shown up to the library hungover on more than one occasion.

8. Your friends always text you when they are going to the library because they know you will be there.

9. You have taken a nap in the library at some point.

10. You know all the cold and hot spots in the library.

11. You've seen your studying pay off.

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