Does anyone have any recommendations on good trails in the Midwest? I know that this is a broad question, but I’m looking to go hiking for a week that’s within a 6-hour driving distance of Chicago. If anyone has any ideas of good spots to hike in Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, ect…let me know. I’d appreciate it. Thanks.
Grinds
If you don’t mind the heat and the 6-hour drive, the area of the Ozark Trail around Taum Sauk and Johnson’s Shut Ins State Park in Missouri is nice woodlands with some views and a small waterfall. Just check the Ozark trail’s main page and fashion something the right length for you.
Sounds like a better bet though, if you can stand the mosquitos, will be to head north to the Porcupine Mtns. in the U.P. of Michigan, or to the Superior Trail in Minnesota, but i haven’t been to those yet.
Actually with the cost of gas what it is, if i were you i’d fish around with last-minute online airfare specials, and fly someplace further west or east instead.
markv
Grinds, I’m from Chicago too and have the same problems… Try the River to River trail in Southern Illinois… Ice Age Trail in Kettle Moraine SF. Wisc… Devil’s Lake Wisconsin has some trails too. Good luck…
Bubble Boy
Bubble Boy has a good suggestion on the River to River trail in the Shawnee National Forest. I was down there last week, and hiked several sections of the trail. The ticks are kind of bad, but should be ok in a couple more weeks. Also there are plenty of day hikes to do down there, if you just want to set up a base camp and hike the trails during the day. For some reason, hardly anyone ever goes there, and the state parks and campgrounds are always empty. I hardly saw anyone on the trails and I pretty much had the primitave campgrounds to myself. I’m going back in a couple of weeks, so I might see ya on the trail.
Doc Holiday
Doc Holiday
You can do a good hike on the SHT from two harbors, Mn north to the border. Good mountains,rivers,and lakes. check out their website.
mr magoo
I was doing some research on the Superior Trail. Has anyone been around there? It sounds amazing and since I’m planning on going during the week of the 4th of July, I’m hoping to see some fireworks around the lake. I’d like a mixture of hiking, camping, and then of course do the restaurant and hotel scene. Does anyone have any suggestions? Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.
Grinds
The Manistee River Trail forms a 20 mile loop with the North Country Trail (NCT) not to far from Cadillac in the Michigan LP. I also live near Chicago and did this loop a few years ago. Hoosier Nat’l forest south of Indy has some nice trails if you don’t mind horses. If you’re going as far as superior trail (which is a haul from here) you might look into the Pictured Rock Nat’l Lakeshore section of the NCT in the UP. Backpacker profiled all of these hikes at one time or another. Happy Trails…
KMan
How about Isle Royle in Lake Superior.Two hour boat trip from Portage Minn.Four and half hour from Copper Harbor,Mi.Over 165 miles of trails.Great wilderness area.Wolfs and Moose can be seen.You could spend a week here and not see everything.Spent a week there a couple of years ago.Try 906-482-0984 for park info.You will need reservation for the Ferry.Last number I had for them was:906-289-4437.Cheers. :cheers
old&in the way
I agree with going to Isle Royale, I’ve been there 4 times(Iwill go again) and still not hiked all the trails, rugged and beautiful. Other possibilities are the Knobstone Trail in Indiana, and the Porcupine Mtns in Michigan.
Al Bishop
For the SHT, check out their website. You can even hike it by staying at Inns every night, so you could easily mix the two. As far as fireworks on the lake, not sure which towns would do that. It is a beautiful area, just be prepared for BUGS!
Jeffrey
I would suggest staying north–Isle Royale would be a great trip. I did the Knobstone last year and wasn’t too impressed. It is the longest in Indiana, and since I live here I felt I had to do it. I doubt I’ll do it again.
weez
I can’t recommend the Porkies highly enough. It’s just pushing your 6-hour time limit from Chicago, but it’s a fantastic place and a great mix of rugged, pseudo-mountain trails, northern birch and aspen forests, and to pitch a tent about 15 ft from Lake Superior and fall asleep listening to the waves is not to be missed.
For a nice overnighter, park at Lake of the Clouds, take the Big Carp River trail down to Lake Superior (a few nice spots for lunch along the way), camp on one of the lakeshore campsights, and pack out on the Lake Superior Trail.
Just my two cents, hope you enjoy it if ya go. Cheers!
danmac
I will second Devil’s Lake State Park in Wisc. The purple rocks are really cool and you can swim in the lake. Hook up with the Ice Age Trail to make it a week-long thing. Then if you really want the hotel and restaurants, you can go all-out in Baraboo (neat, though touristy town) or even (UGH) the Dells.
The trail at Pictured Rocks Nat’l Lakeshore I would recommend before the SHT. It is gorgeous and right on the lake, beautiful beaches and swimming at some. Chapel Beach looked like it belonged somewhere on the Mediterranean. Frequent and sudden t-storms though. I was there day-hiking, kayacking and camping for 4th of July last year. I would go there if it were up to me. Munising had its share of tourists, but they didn’t overwhelm the down-home feel I got there…loved it. Great breakfast at the Dogpatch.
On the other side of Superior, I day-hiked parts of the SHT and found lots of hot woods and bugs. There are some good, occasional views of the lake and cool rock outcroppings. But, you are not right by the lake like at Pictured Rocks, and the beaches are infrequent and rocky. My conclusion was that fall would be a better season for an overnight or long-term hike up there. I like swimming lots in the summer so this was a big deal to me. The UP is loaded with sand (thank you ice sheet) and great beaches.
Damn, y’all have made me wish I was headed back up there this summer!!
Backtrack
I can’t thank you all enough for all this information and advice. I find myself wanting to start in Munsing and then work my way through the Porkies and then through the SHP. I wish I had a lot of money and more time off of work. haha. In any regards, I didn’t even know of all this stuff. It will be a nice drive from Chi-town and a good week out of the office, so, again, thank you all for your help.
Grinds
I enthusiastically endorse the recommendations for the Porkies and Isle Royal. Both can offer a week’s worth of great trails. On Isle Royal, my favorite section was the Minong Ridge trail. If you go, be sure to take some time to explore the ridges and old mines that are just off the sides of the trail. For something closer to Chicago, don’t overlook the Ice Age Trail. Especially the sections in southeastern Wisconsin through Kettle Moraine State Park, from the Northern Unit through the Southern Unit. It offers a surprisingly good backcountry (remote) experience. The only issue with the Ice Age Trail is that it’s difficult to put together a one week hike without stitching together both completed an uncompleted sections.
Banls