Day Hikes within 2 Hour Drive of Chicago

“Hi. I was wondering if anyone can recommend some decent day hikes within a couple of hours drive from Chicago. I'm looking to go south (hoping to soak up as much warmth as possible), and I've heard Starved Rock State Park has some good stuff. Does anyone have any other recommendations?

Thanks.”

“I know about backpacking but not dayhikes.

A dayhike whats that?????


8p”

“The I & M Canal Trail runs over 60 miles from Rockdale to LaSalle, with the best sections running from Channahon to Morris, and Ottawa to LaSalle. Lots of wildlife. The trail is between the old canal and the river.

The Hennepin Canal Trail just west of there offers some linear hiking through woods and farms with much fewer people than the I & M Canal.

Palos Woods is honeycombed with trails and dayhikers, but my friend who goes there all the time saw a mugging in one of the parking lots of U.S. 45.”