21 Beautiful Midwest Hikes in 2021

We launched this blog in 2021 and made even more effort than usual to see all the amazing nature escapes in the Midwest. This year we focused on destinations within a few hours of Chicago. Here is a list of 21 Midwest Nature Escapes we enjoyed in 2021.


Indiana


1. Shades State Park

Location: Waveland, Indiana

Rose: Beautiful sandstone cliffs

Thorn: Some of the hikes are not ideal for dogs because there are ladders

Visit our blog post on Shades State Park


2. Turkey Run State Park

Location: Marshall, Indiana

Rose: Variety of hikes with different skill levels

Thorn: Certain sports on the hike can get crowded

Visit our blog post on Turkey Run State Park


3. Celery Bog Nature Area

Location: West Lafayette, Indiana

Rose: The entire walk is along water, and water is good for the soul

Thorn: The walk is very short, you might want to loop around a few times to get exercise


Michigan


4. Warren Woods State Park

Location: Three Oaks, Michigan

Rose: A loop hike, we love a good loop

Thorn: Short path, so you might plan to do a few loops around the park


Illinois


5. Herrick Lake

Location: Wheaton, Illinois

Rose: Really nice forest preserve – lots of paths and picnic areas to enjoy your day.

Thorn: Traveling from Chicago out to the suburbs


6. Weldon Springs State Park

Location: Clinton, Illinois

Rose: Lots of picnic tables and benches to stop along the trail for lunch

Thorn: Since the hiking trails are around a lake, you have to make it all the way around. Our pups got tired and there was not a straight shot back


7. Busse Woods

Location: Rolling Meadows, Illinois

Rose: Diverse ecosystems and lots of trail options

Thorn: Some trails are more crowded than others and the bike riders can be a little reckless


8. Sterne’s Woods and Fen Nature Preserve

Location: Crystal Lake, Illinois

Rose: Only a few people visit this park which makes it ideal for hiking with dogs

Thorn: There is one very large hill that is difficult to climb with little kids or a stroller

Visit our blog post on Sterne’s Woods and Fen Nature Preserve


9. Elizabeth Lake Nature Preserve

Location: Richmond, Illinois

Rose: The wildflowers are just beautiful

Thorn: Bees–lots of bees

Visit our blog post on Elizabeth Lake Nature Preserve


10. The Morton Arboretum

Location: Lisle, Illinois

Rose: The art sculptures you see along the hiking trails

Thorn: You have to pay to enter the park when you drive there

Visit our blog post on The Morton Arboretum


11. Illinois Beach State Park

Location: Zion, Illinois

Rose: Wide variety of ecosystems and hiking trails–sand dunes to forests

Thorn: Dogs are not allowed in all parts of the park


Chicago, Illinois


12. Jackson Park

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Rose: Such a fun way to get a forest preserve vibe in the middle of the city

Thorn: The Japanese Garden is not dog friendly. The rest of the park is though + has a dog park, Jackson Bark.


13. Northerly Island Nature Preserve

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Rose: The view is unbelievable: water, wildflowers, sky, and the Chicago skyline

Thorn: No dogs allows

Visit our blog post on Northerly Island


14. Promontory Point

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Rose: The only place on the lakefront path that you can have a fire. They have a handful of firepits you can enjoy a bonfire at while enjoying the amazing views Chicago has to offer.

Thorn: The firepits are first come first serve – get there early.

Visit our blog post Best Parks on Chicago’s Lakefront


15. Burnham Park

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Rose: Best of both worlds with nature + city walk. We like to walk north on the lake front path to see the skyline and then circle back and head south through the nature paths within the park.

Thorn: When walking on lakefront path, there is no shade. Make sure to pack at hat or sunscreen.

Visit our blog post Best Parks in Chicago for a Walk


Wisconsin


16. Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy

Location: Williams Bay, Wisconsin

Rose: The trail map is very detailed so you can decided how long or short you want to walk

Thorn: Some of the areas can get very muddy which is hard to navigate with dogs or children

Visit our blog post focused on hikes near Twin Lakes


17. White River Park

Location: Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Rose: The river views are our favorite. We recommend eating lunch by the river and taking photos of your pup.

Thorn: Lots of hills so make sure everyone in your party is able to do moderate trails

Visit our blog post focused on hikes near Lake Delavan


18. Big Foot Beach State Park

Location: Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Rose: Beautiful winter hike after a good snow fall

Thorn: Parking fee because it is a state park

Visit our blog post focused on hikes near Lake Geneva


19. Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park

Location: Burlington, WIisconsin

Rose: 6 different trails with very different vibes–we hike a different trail every time we are in the area

Thorn: 4 different parking locations and the trails start at different parking lots

Visit our blog post on Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park


20. Lake Kegonsa State Park

Location: Stoughton, Wisconsin

Rose: Pet-only beach is perfect for dogs

Thorn: The signage in the park is not extremely clear but not a big deal if you’re spending the entire day there


21. Seno Woodland Center

Location: Burlington, Wisconsin

Rose: Best kept secret–only a few walkers there each time we go

Thorn: No garbage cans along the trail

Visit our blog post on Seno Conservancy Woodland Center


Photos from some of the parks we visited in 2021


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16 Replies to “21 Beautiful Midwest Hikes in 2021”

  1. Great list! I love to travel but because of the pandemic, I prefer to stay closer to home. You have highlighted some beautiful spots for an active vacation.

  2. These all sound like lovely hikes. It is nice to have some suggestions for good trails. We enjoy doing a lot of hiking as a family and these would be nice to check out.

  3. These are such gorgeous spots! I’m so glad you shared them. I rarely hear people talk about the midwest when they talk about beauty like this.

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