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Local Hikes in the Central U.S.
Camp lake-side in Arkansas, summit 800-foot Nebraska bluffs, see Wisconsin's best foliage (alone), and dayhike near Dallas. Plus: 8 more autumn hikes.
From the Field: BACKPACKER trail scouts' top Central local hikes
Try a 9-mile out-and-back in Ohio's Hemlock Gorge or hike through history in Per Marquette State Park or on the Saddle Rock Trail in Nebraska.
Local Hikes
Jump-start your hiking season on these spring-ready trips from around the country.
Rip & Go: Godwin Trail to Inspiration Point - Shawnee National Forest, IL
Cross deep, vine-laced forests to bluff-top views over rivers and prairie.
Local Hikes: Chicago, IL
The best hikes near Chicago.
Local Hikes: Midwest
The best hikes in the Midwest, as recommended by the region's best hiking clubs.
Local Hikes: New Hikes Near You
Our army of reader-reader scouts mapped 59 local hikes from South Carolina to Northern California. See their favorites, then learn how to download tracklogs and waypoints.
Midwest Readers' Choice Hikes
Mississippi river vistas, ocean-size grasslands, and guaranteed solitude.
Readers' Choice Midwest Hikes: Nachusa Grasslands, IL
Explore a vast, trail-free prairie.
Readers' Choice Midwest Hikes: Aurora Borealis Isle Royale NP, MI
See the country's best light show.
Readers' Choice Midwest Hikes: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, OK
Bushwhack into what very well might be the quietest spot in America.
Readers' Choice Midwest Hikes: Effigy Mounds National Monument, IA
Climb to views of the mighty Mississippi River.
Readers' Choice Midwest Hikes: Ice Age Trail, WI
Thru-hike one of the country's least-known National Scenic Trails.
Midwest Reader Map Team
Readers' Choice Midwest Hikes: Garden of the Gods to Lusk Creek Canyon, Shawnee NF, IL
Hike the River-to-River Trail over rugged ridges, through narrow canyons, and into small caves.
Quick Escapes: 10 Trails Near Major Cities
The perfect metro-area trail: close, wild, uncrowded. Here are 10 major city options.
Your Daily Tread: Local Hikes Across the U.S.
What's better than hiking every weekend? Hiking every day. Here are the best big-city escapes from New York to Los Angeles. Plus: Bill Donahue explores the remote reaches of Portland's Forest Park and discovers secrets even locals don't know.
Ultimate Summer Escapes: The Best Dayhikes and Backpacking Trips Near You
Coming soon to your city: far-out adventures that are shockingly close to home.
High Points: Charles Mound, Illinois
Access is limited, but well worth the view.
Best Backpacking In Illinois
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Illinois.
Illinois' Shawnee National Forest
Exploring hills and "hollers" in the Land of Lincoln.
Illinois' Vermilion River, Kickapoo State Park
A pristine prairie river winds through a sea of corn and beans in the shadow of Chicago.
Cache River State Natural Area
Not your laid-back summer holiday -- canoeing and hiking galore.
Illinois' Trail Of Two Rivers
On its way from the Ohio to the Mississippi, Illinois' new River to River Trail takes you through a surprisingly wild side of the Corn Belt.
