Nature

Nature

Visit the Hidden Gem Small Town Right Next Door to Castle Rock State Park

Discover a charming small town near Castle Rock State Park that’s perfect for your next getaway, with great stays and easy park access.

by Cait Kontalis
on Jun 9
The Pride of Oregon paddlewheel boat in Illinois
Nature

The Dune Hike in Illinois That Everyone Should Take at Least Once

by Stephanie Frias
on May 26
A woman wearing black, walking down a gravel path between tall, golden prairie plants. She's on a dune hike in Illinois at Braidwood Dunes in Braidwood, Illinois.
Nature

Take a Unique Adventure On Illinois’s Best Kayaking Trail

by Jessica Mlinaric
on May 23
A kayaker in a red shirt paddles through a swamp lined with tall trees
Nature

The Small-Town State Park in Illinois Locals Want to Keep to Themselves

by Stephanie Frias
on May 9
A child wearing black sweatpants, walking along the scenic Kankakee River, part of the small-town state park, Kankakee River State Park near Wilmington, Illinois.
Nature

3 Picture-Perfect Nature Trails in Illinois for a Spring Hike

by Cait Kontalis
on Apr 20
A small waterfall in Illinois

Latest Nature

Nature
Hiking

Don’t Attempt This One Hike in Illinois Unless You’re Up for a Challenge

From poison ivy to hilly terrain, the Godwin Trail can be difficult. At almost 20 miles, this is a lengthy hike in the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois.

by Amanda Finn
on Feb 4
The view from along Godwin Trail
Nature

Find 4 Bucket-List-Level Views in Illinois Without Needing to Be an Expert Hiker

Your Illinois bucket list should include these unexpected views with little hiking required.

by Jessica Mlinaric
on Dec 23
Rock formations tower over a green forest with a blue sky.
Nature

This Scenic Illinois Hike Is Even Better in the Winter

If you’re headed to Savanna, Illinois, for the Mississippi Palisade State Park, be sure to hike the Great River Trail this winter.

by Stephanie Frias
on Nov 28
Three people in winter coats standing on a wooden boardwalk overlooking the frozen, icy blue Mississippi River
Nature
Hiking

This Heavenly 6-Mile Trail in Illinois’ National Forest Is Worth the Effort

Go on a spectacular hike and stay in a treehouse within a national forest on this unforgettable Illinois adventure.

by Stephanie Frias
on Oct 10
A man and two kids standing on a rock overlook above an expansive forest
Nature
National & State Parks

White Pines Forest State Park Is an Underrated Illinois Park That Will Surprise You This Fall

Discover fall scenery, hiking trails, and a dinner theater at White Pines Forest State Park in Illinois.

by Cait Kontalis
on Sep 3
A wooden sign that says “White Pines Forest State Park”