Move over, Moab. Take a hike, Sedona. Day hikers looking for the ultimate trekking experience need to lace up their boots, fill up their water bottles, throw on their packs and head out to Juneau, Alaska. Boasting the claim “it’s where the mountains meet the sea,” and “where the city meets the country,” — Juneau is a day-hiking mecca.
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Are you looking for a gorgeous, scenic area to go hiking this spring? You may want to check out the snow-capped peaks of 11,245-foot Mount Hood. There are many natural wonders found on the 1,200-miles of trails within Oregon’s Mount Hood National Forest.
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Are you looking for a new place to ride within a day’s drive of Chicago? If your answer is yes, check out the 1.6-million acres of the Ouachita (pronounced Wash-a-taw) National Forest. Located just west of Hot Springs, Ark., the forest’s 600-miles of trails are an ideal place to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
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When I need to escape the masses, I head for the oldest exposed rock in middle America– Missouri’s St. Francois Mountains. The park’s 5,164 acres are a combination of oak, hickory and pine forest set amongst patches of glades, and the park has some of the best camping in the Midwest.
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Paddlers looking for a scenic trip near Chicago should consider floating the waters of the Kishwaukee River. Located 90 miles northwest of Chicago, near Rockford, Ill., the ‘Kish offers outdoors’ types the opportunity to paddle one of the clearest streams in Northern Illinois.
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Day hikers looking to explore the scenic wonders of Indiana should consider exploring the trails and waters at Turkey Run State Park. Located 189 miles from Chicago, in Parke County, Indiana, Turkey Run is known as one of the most scenic parks in Indiana. Famous for its covered bridges, sandstone canyons and inn, the park serves as a great weekend get-a-way to the great outdoors.
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So long, San Francisco. Take a hike, Tacoma. St. Louis, long known for its Arch, National League baseball team, and Budweiser beer, is an undiscovered day-hiking Mecca. From county parks, to conservation land, to state parks, St. Louis has it all. And just a short 30-minute drive from the Arch takes day hikers to a micro-wilderness — the Hilda Young Conservation Area.
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Outdoorsy-types looking for an exciting day trip near Chicago should consider exploring the waters of Nippersink Creek. Located in McHenry County, Nippersink Creek is a meandering stream that offers easy paddling, scenic views, and the opportunity to explore Glacial Park Conservation Area — and it’s only a short 80-minute drive from the Chicago Loop, near Richmond, Ill.
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Day hikers in Missouri looking to explore one of the most unique outdoor preserves in the Ozark Border region need to explore the LaBarque Hills Preserve. Located 41 miles southwest of St. Louis in Jefferson County, the preserve is a scenic gem that’s seldom visited.
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