2 southern Illinois hiking trails rank among best in the state, AllTrails finds
Popular hiking and outdoor recreation app AllTrails recently named two southern Illinois hiking trails among the top five best in the state.
Garden of the Gods Observation Trail was ranked No. 3 in Illinois, while Little Grand Canyon Trail took 4th place. Both trails are located within Shawnee National Forest, which is also home to a unique trail for spotting snakes.
Another southern Illinois trail, Indian Point Trail at Garden of the Gods, landed in 10th place in the state.
“No matter what you’re looking for, you can find a diverse range of the best hiking trails in Illinois to suit your needs,” AllTrails reported.
Illinois’ top-rated trail, Starved Rock and Sandstone Point Overlook Trail, has more than 3,880 reviews on AllTrails, with a 4.6-star rating. The popular recreation spot has a “moderate” trail difficulty rating, and is known for its eagle sightings and unique trees.
Hiking southern Illinois’ best trails
Garden of the Gods Observation Trail has more than 3,090 reviews on AllTrails, with a 4.8-star rating. The trail has an “easy” rating, and is a quarter-mile loop. The spot is known for its “unique sandstone rock formations” and panoramic views.
Little Grand Canyon Trail was named the most popular hiking trail in Illinois in a 2025 report from outdoor clothing retailer Kuhl. The 3-mile loop trail is considered more difficult than the observation trail, with a “moderate” rating from AllTrails. Little Grand Canyon Trail has more than 3,650 reviews on the site, with a 4.7-star rating.
“The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash,” AllTrails’ description of Little Grand Canyon Trail reads.
Indian Point Trail is a 1.8-mile loop with a “moderate” rating. The trail has 2,429 reviews from AllTrails users, with a 4.6-star rating. It’s popular for its “very scenic” rock formations and views of the surrounding valley. AllTrails reports the trail can be hard to follow, and recommends hikers keep an offline map on hand.
Top 10 best hiking trails in Illinois
Here’s how the top 10 best hiking trails in Illinois compared, according to AllTrails:
- Starved Rock and Sandstone Point Overlook Trail (Starved Rock State Park)
- Dells Canyon and Bluff Trail (Matthiessen State Park)
- Garden of the Gods Observation Trail (Shawnee National Forest)
- Little Grand Canyon Trail (Shawnee National Forest)
- Eagle Cliff Overlook and La Salle Canyon via Campanula Trail (Starved Rock State Park)
- Waterfall Glen Trail (Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve)
- Pontiac Canyon, Wildcat Canyon and Beehive Overlook (Starved Rock State Park)
- Sag Valley Yellow Trail Loop (Swallow Cliff Woods)
- Saint Louis Canyon Trail (Starved Rock State Park)
- Indian Point Trail (Garden of the Gods Wilderness)
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