Best Hiking in The Midwest

The Midwest is known for its diverse geography, including plains, rolling hills, and the great lakes. It has a mix of urban and rural areas, and agriculture has historically been a significant part of the region’s economy. Major cities in the Midwest include Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. In today’s post we will check the best hiking in the Midwest for nature lovers and adventurers alike. This region is sometimes also called the “American Midwest” or simply the “Midwest.” While there is no universally agreed-upon definition of the Midwest, it typically includes states such as Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan

We thought of starting off from Michigan at the pictured rocks national lakeshore as it comprises quite a few spots that you must include in the hike. Located on the shores of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the park is known for its colorful sandstone cliffs, beautiful beaches, sand dunes, waterfalls, and dense forests. The hike unravels as follows.

• Lakeshore Trail: This is a popular trail that runs along the cliffs of Lake Superior, offering breathtaking views of the colorful rock formations. The trail is approximately 42 miles long, and hikers can choose to do shorter sections or complete the entire trail.
• Chapel Rock and Chapel Beach: A hike to Chapel Rock leads to a unique natural sandstone arch and Chapel Beach, a scenic spot along the lakeshore. This is known to be one of the most picturesque hikes in the Midwest. Takes about 4-5 hours due to the elevation. Plenty of spots to sit down, relax and take in the scenery. You will get to see the magnificent Spray Falls in this hike.
• Miners Castle: This is one of the most iconic rock formations in the park. Miners Castle is easily accessible and provides stunning views of Lake Superior. There are hiking trails leading to different vantage points.
• Grand Sable Dunes: The Grand Sable Dunes are accessible via the Grand Sable Banks and Dunes Trail. This is a unique hiking experience.
• Au Sable Point Lighthouse: The lighthouse is not open to the public, but the hike is worthwhile for its scenic beauty along the shoreline.

Here are the best lodging recommendations in Michigan closer to Pictured Rocks.

Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio

Popular for its stunning landscapes, unique rock formations, and diverse hiking trails, Hocking Hills State Park is situated in southeastern Ohio. Here are the best hikes of the Hocking Hills State Park.

• Old Man’s Cave: One of the most famous and scenic areas in the park, Old Man’s Cave features a gorge, waterfalls, and rock formations. The trail takes you along the gorge and showcases the beauty of the region.
• Ash Cave: Ash Cave is the largest recess cave in Ohio and features a horseshoe-shaped rim that spans 700 feet. A short, wheelchair-accessible trail leads to the cave, making it easily accessible for all visitors.
• Cedar Falls: This waterfall is one of the most picturesque in the park. A trail leads to Cedar Falls, where you can enjoy the sight and sound of the cascading water.
• Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve: This area offers a deep gorge surrounded by towering cliffs. A trail takes you along the rim and into the gorge, providing stunning views of the rock formations.
• Rock House: Known as a “recess cave,” Rock House is a tunnel-like corridor with windows carved into the Blackhand sandstone walls. The trail to Rock House offers a unique hiking experience.
• Cantwell Cliffs: This area features a narrow gorge with high cliffs and rock formations. The trail takes you through the gorge and provides panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Check out these budget campsites closer to Hocking Hills State Park.

Starved Rock State Park, Illinois

Starved Rock State Park is a popular and scenic natural area located along the Illinois River in north-central Illinois. Known for its canyons, waterfalls, and sandstone bluffs, the park offers a variety of outdoor activities and hiking opportunities. Checkout the spots below and think if it fits in your checklist for the best hiking in the Midwest. This hike is a little over 4 miles and takes around an hour and a half to complete. Just like most nature attractions, the best time to visit here is the fall when it’s all vibrant.

• Starved Rock: The park’s namesake, Starved Rock, is a sandstone butte that rises 125 feet above the Illinois River. A well-maintained trail leads to the summit, providing panoramic views of the river and surrounding landscape.
• French Canyon: This is one of the many canyons in the park, and it features vertical walls and a small waterfall. The trail to French Canyon is relatively short but offers a beautiful natural setting.
• Wildcat Canyon: One of the deeper canyons in the park, Wildcat Canyon is known for its seasonal waterfall. The trail leading to the canyon offers a picturesque hike through wooded areas.
• LaSalle Canyon: This canyon is characterized by high vertical walls and a beautiful waterfall. The trail leading to LaSalle Canyon is a popular and scenic hike.
• St. Louis Canyon: Accessible by a short hike, St. Louis Canyon is known for its seasonal waterfall and unique rock formations. The trail includes stairs and boardwalks, making it accessible to a wide range of visitors.
• Matthiessen State Park: Adjacent to Starved Rock State Park, Matthiessen State Park offers additional hiking opportunities, waterfalls, and unique geological features. The park has its own trail system and can be explored separately or in combination with Starved Rock.

Here are some places to camp or lodge that are closer to the Starved Rock State Park.

Devil’s Lake State Park Wisconsin

Next up is a scenic spot in south-central Wisconsin that you should not miss when considering best hiking in the Midwest. Devil’s Lake State Park near the city of Baraboo is a hikers fantasy paradise. Known for its stunning landscapes, unique rock formations, and the glacially formed Devil’s Lake, here’s a spot to amplify your adventurous spirit.

• Hiking Trails: Devil’s Lake State Park boasts an extensive network of hiking trails that cater to different skill levels. Some notable trails include the East Bluff Trail, West Bluff Trail, Balanced Rock Trail, and the Ice Age Trail. The Ice Age Trail is one of the most popular hikes here because it allows you to witness some of the state’s most scenic areas. It is one of only 11 National Scenic Trails in the country covering Wisconsin with a 1,000-mile footpath.
• Devil’s Lake: The centerpiece of the park is Devil’s Lake, a 360-acre, spring-fed lake surrounded by 500-foot quartzite bluffs. This lake is included in the mentioned Ice Age Trail but it deserves a special recognition. The lake is popular for swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating. A sandy beach area is available for swimming, and there’s a boat launch for canoes and kayaks.

Lodgings closer to Devil’s Lake State Park.

Maquoketa Caves State Park, Iowa

Another hidden gem in the Midwest. Here in eastern Iowa you will find the diversified Maquoketa Caves State Park. Not just scenic trails, it also has cave explorations, reservoirs and so much more.

• 6.6-Mile Trail System: Maquoketa Caves State Park has a network of hiking trails that spans approximately 6.6 miles. The trails take visitors through wooded areas, across bridges, and past interesting rock formations.
• Cave Trails: The park features several trails that lead to and around various caves. Notable caves include Dancehall Cave, Hernando’s Hideaway, and Wye Cave. The trail system allows visitors to explore these caves and learn about the park’s geology. Some of these such as the Overlook trail offers panoramic views of the park and the surroundings.

Here are some of the best places to stay that are closer to the Maquoketa Caves.

Superior Hiking Trail, Minnesota

We tried to narrow down the most notable hikes of Minnesota. Not only is it hard to choose but it feels like we’ve left out most. Anyway, here are some of the destinations that you cannot miss. These are some of the best hiking in Upper Midwest.

• Superior Hiking Trail: This Trail stretches approximately 310 miles along the North Shore of Lake Superior, offering stunning views of the lake, waterfalls, and forests. It provides a variety of trail options for hikers of all skill levels. Don’t worry of course you aren’t going to be hiking 300 miles. You can customize your hike to suit your skill level. Some of the trails you can choose from are as follows.
• Minneopa State Park: Known for its waterfall and prairie landscapes, Minneopa State Park offers hiking trails that lead to the falls and explore the park’s natural beauty.
• Jay Cooke State Park: Located along the St. Louis River, Jay Cooke State Park features trails that traverse rocky gorges and offer views of the river and waterfalls.
• Gooseberry Falls State Park: Located along the North Shore, Gooseberry Falls State Park features waterfalls, a river gorge, and Lake Superior views. Multiple trails range from easy walks to more challenging hikes.

Lodgings in Minnesota closer to the attractions.

Ozark Mountains, Missouri

I think it’s safe to say that you can experience some of the best hiking in the Midwest in Missouri. Here’s what’ll keep you captivated.

• Ozark Trail: The Ozark Trail is a long-distance trail system in the Missouri Ozarks, providing diverse hiking experiences. Sections of the trail pass through state parks, conservation areas, and the Mark Twain National Forest. Taum Sauk Mountain State Park is the best part of the trail as you get to see Missouri’s highest point and the Mina Sauk Falls Trail that leads to the highest waterfall in the state.
• Elephant Rocks State Park: This park is known for giant granite boulders, some as large as elephants, which are popular for climbing. The Braille Trail is a short, paved trail suitable for all visitors. Canyoneering lovers, here’s your haven.
• Mark Twain National Forest: With over a million acres of public land, Mark Twain National Forest offers numerous hiking trails. The Bell Mountain Wilderness and Hercules Glades Wilderness are popular areas for hiking.
• Rock Bridge Memorial State Park: Located near Columbia, the park features the famous rock bridge, an extensive cave system, and several hiking trails, including the Devil’s Icebox Trail.

To say that the list is complete would be a total understatement. There are so many more hiking spots in the Midwest. However, we gave our best effort to cover as many states as possible and their most iconic attractions. If you’ve got different destinations in mind, please do share. Always remember to carry your essentials and be safe out there on the trails.