Best Cross Country Skiing in Illinois

Trying to find the best cross country skiing in Illinois? Bivy has great hiking, biking, paddling, climbing, skiing, riding and more, with hand-curated trail maps, as well as detailed driving directions.

1

Illinois, Cook County

01 :01 hrs
2.4 mi
13.501358 ft
Easy

Camp Sagawau is known for its excellent Nordic ski program that is offered during the winter which includes miles of groomed cross-country ski trails, ski lessons, and equipment rental. A trail pass must be obtained to ski the trails but there is no fee for the pass. There are charges for lessons and ski equipment rental. There are multiple trails within Camp Sagawau that can be used to customize trips of varying distance and difficulty. The terrain is mostly forested area with some small hills.

2

Illinois, Naperville

00 :46 hrs
1.8 mi
11.220398 ft
Easy

During the winter Arrowhead Golf Course is a popular spot for cross-country skiers, providing miles of groomed trails in the middle of a suburban area. The golf course is also located adjacent to the Herrick Lake Forest Preserve which is also a popular spot for outdoor recreation and cross-country skiing. There is no fee to use the trails at the golf course but skiers must stay on groomed trails and out of roped off areas. They do offers lessons and equipment rental. The trails are mostly flat with little elevation gain making it a great place to explore for skiers of all skill levels.

3

Illinois, LaSalle County

00 :56 hrs
2.5 mi
27.580338 ft
Moderate

Hiking along the trails in Matthiessen State Park, hikers will enjoy beautiful scenery as they travel through and above a scenic sandstone canyon that offers lots of solitude and shade. There is a creek running along much of the hike that creates some nice pools and dramatic waterfalls. Some stream crossings may be required, especially to get good views of the waterfalls. There is also Lake Matthiessen along the northern end of the area that makes for a nice place to stop and visit. The state park is less-visited than Starved Rock State Park just a few miles away making it a nice option for hikers looking to avoid the crowds. The state park offers picnic areas and restrooms.

4

Illinois, Lake County

04 :49 hrs
9 mi
11.093002 ft
Easy

This section of the Des Plaines River Trail travels along the northern section of the trail between the Russell Road parking area just south of the Wisconsin/Illinois border to the Kilbourne Road parking area south of Highway 41. The trail follows the path of the Des Plaines River past multiple lakes and ponds, forest preserves, wetland areas, and natural areas that are home to abundant scenery, wildlife, and plantlife. The trail follows mostly flat terrain that is easy to follow making it a good option for riders of all skill levels. The trail is crushed limestone and dirt surface and is multi-use so watch out for other users along the route. The trail can be done as an out-and-back route or one-way route by shuttling vehicles between the many access areas along the trail.

5

Illinois, Vermilion County

01 :41 hrs
6.4 mi
26.524948 ft
Moderate

The mountain bike trails in Kickapoo State Park provide some of the best trails and beautiful scenery Illinois has to offer. The network of trails consists of 5 loops that can be combined for a total of 6 miles of riding. This ride utilizes sections of these trails for a loop through the area but there are obviously many more trip options available. The trails provide lots of ups and downs through wooded terrain that add some fun challenge. The ride also provides some nice scenery as it travels over small creeks and passes by a lake. The trails are well-marked and contain arrows showing recommended direction of travel. Checking out the trail map of the area is advisable to get a good concept of how all the trails can connect.

6

Illinois, Geneva

01 :01 hrs
10.2 mi
12.263763 ft
Easy

This section of the Fox River Bike Trail is a popular route that explores both sides of the Fox River as it travels through multiple forest preserves, parks, and residential neighborhoods. The ride provides lots of good resting spots at historical sites, nature centers, parks, and other points of interest located along the bike trail. The trail is mostly all paved surface, well-marked, and flat making it a great option for riders of all skill levels. The trail continues on for many more miles to the north for riders looking to add some more mileage.

7

Illinois, Kendall County

00 :33 hrs
2.1 mi
10.077667 ft
Hard

Located along the Fox River, Saw Week Kee Park offers an excellent trail system for mountain bikers looking for a little challenge. The trails vary in difficulty giving riders of all skill levels multiple riding options. This loop ride covers just a portion of the trails within the park but there are multiple connecting paths and trails along the way. The park is a natural area so riders are only allowed on marked trails. There are dirt mounds, uneven trail, and lots of roller coaster terrain to make the ride enjoyable. The trails are also open to hikers, equestrian, and cross-country skiing so pay close attention to others along the trail as well as wildlife.

8

Illinois, Oak Brook

01 :09 hrs
3.4 mi
4.1155396 ft
Moderate

Located just 20 miles from downtown Chicago, this scenic hike leads through wooded terrain that follows the Salt Creek through Fullersburg County Forest Preserve. The area offers a natural setting in an busy suburban area with lots of opportunity for birdwatching and viewing wildlife. The crushed gravel trail leads to multiple islands, a historic watermill, and nature education center that provides information and displays about the history and wildlife of the preserve. There are fees to tour the mill and set operating hours for the mill and visitor center depending on the day and time of year.

9

Illinois, Grundy County

01 :57 hrs
5.8 mi
5.5820465 ft
Hard

Located just 60 miles from downtown Chicago, Goose Lake Prairie State Park provides scenic landscape that includes multiple ponds, tallgrass prairies, and marshes that are home to diverse vegetation and abundant wildlife. The northern Tallgrass Trail leads to a historic cabin and observation point. The southern Prairie View Trail leads to a hilltop overlook that provides excellent views of the small ponds and marshes in the surrounding area. The preserve provides excellent birdwatching and wildlife viewing as well as a nature center with exhibits that provide information about the preserve. The trails in the preserve can be combined for one long hike or done separately for shorter trips.

10

Illinois, Madison County

00 :58 hrs
4.9 mi
21.953018 ft
Easy

This trail follows an old railroad corridor between the towns of Roxana and Edwardsville and is named after the Watershed Nature Center which it travels near along its eastern section. The trail passes through mostly shaded wooded terrain that is quiet and peaceful. The trail has just a little bit of elevation change but nothing that is too physically strenuous and is all paved making it a great option for riders of all skill levels. The trail also connects to the Goshen Trail (which also connects to multiple other trails in the area) and the hiking loop trail located at the Watershed Nature Center which is also a scenic and interesting place to visit.

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