The Midwest region of the United States offers a great variety of landscapes for hiking and these are ten of the best hikes in the Midwest for outdoor escapes.
The phrase “best hikes in the Midwest” is not just about the 10 best hikes, but the areas that they are in and other hiking opportunities when there.
While the Midwest may not be as well-known as some other regions for hiking, there are still many fantastic trails worth exploring.
Best Hikes In The Midwest
1, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a stunning natural attraction located along the southern shore of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, United States. The park spans approximately 42 miles (68 kilometers) of Lake Superior’s shoreline and covers an area of around 73,236 acres (118 square miles).
The most prominent feature of the park is the towering cliffs made of sandstone, ranging from 50 to 200 feet high. These cliffs have been naturally sculpted over thousands of years by the wind, waves, and freezing and thawing cycles.
The Lakeshore Trail is one of the best hikes in the Midwest. This is the main trail in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, stretching for about 42 miles from Munising to Grand Marais.
The trail follows the Lake Superior shoreline, providing stunning views of the cliffs, rock formations, and turquoise waters. It can be done as a long-distance backpacking trip or broken down into shorter day hikes by accessing it at various points along the way.
Chapel Loop: This is a popular 10.4-mile loop trail that takes you through the heart of Pictured Rocks. It offers a great mix of forested sections, cliff views, and access to Chapel Falls and Chapel Rock, iconic landmarks within the park.
Mosquito Falls: This trail is a 3.8-mile out-and-back hike that leads to the picturesque Mosquito Falls. The trail winds through dense forest, crosses the Mosquito River, and ends at a beautiful waterfall cascading down into Lake Superior.
When planning a visit to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, it’s essential to check for any updates or specific regulations regarding permits, camping reservations, and trail conditions.
2. Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio
Hocking Hills State Park is a beautiful natural area located in the southeastern part of Ohio. The park spans over 2,356 acres (953 hectares) and attracts visitors with its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities.
Known for its dramatic rock formations and waterfalls, Hocking Hills State Park features several trails and some of the best hikes in the Midwest.
Old Man’s Cave: This is one of the most popular trails in the park, named after a hermit who once lived in the cave. The trail is approximately 2 miles long and takes you through a picturesque gorge with waterfalls, cliffs, and the impressive Old Man’s Cave itself.
Ash Cave: This trail leads to Ash Cave, the largest recess cave in the state of Ohio. The trail is about 0.25 miles long and is wheelchair accessible. The cave features a stunning waterfall that cascades down into a sandy basin.
Cedar Falls: The trail to Cedar Falls is approximately 0.6 miles long and offers beautiful views of the gorge, sandstone cliffs, and the namesake waterfall. The trail can be combined with other nearby trails to extend your hike.
Conkle’s Hollow: Conkle’s Hollow is a rugged gorge that offers a unique hiking experience. The Rim Trail is about 1.5 miles long and takes you along the top of the gorge, offering breathtaking views. The Gorge Trail is a more challenging option, following the bottom of the gorge and taking you through a dense forest.
When planning a visit to Hocking Hills State Park, it is advisable to check for any park advisories, trail closures, or permits required.
3. Ozark Trail, Missouri
The Ozark Trail is a long-distance trail winds through the beautiful Ozark Mountains, showcasing scenic vistas, rocky bluffs, and diverse wildlife. Spanning over 350 miles (563 kilometers), it offers outdoor enthusiasts a chance to explore the natural beauty of the region.
The Ozark Trail in Missouri consists of several sections, each offering its own unique scenery and challenges.
These sections include the Taum Sauk section, the Courtois section, the Current River section, the Eleven Point section, the Wappapello section, and the Bell Mountain Wilderness section, among others. Each section varies in length and difficulty, catering to hikers of different skill levels.
The Ozark Trail takes hikers through diverse landscapes, including deep forests, rolling hills, rocky bluffs, and clear rivers. Along the way, you can enjoy breathtaking vistas, serene wilderness, and an abundance of flora and fauna. The trail showcases the natural beauty of the Ozark region.
The trail often passes through remote and secluded areas, offering a sense of solitude and tranquility.
Whether you choose to hike a short section or complete the entire trail, it’s an opportunity to connect with nature and appreciate the stunning landscapes of Missouri’s Ozark Mountains and some of the best hikes in the Midwest.
4. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
With over 125 miles of hiking trails, Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers a mix of easy strolls and challenging hikes, showcasing waterfalls, forests, and the historic Ohio & Erie Canal.
Visitors can explore lush forests, picturesque meadows, serene wetlands, and the dramatic Cuyahoga River, which cuts through the valley.
The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail runs through Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This 85-mile (137-kilometer) trail follows the historic path of the canal and it’s a popular trail for both recreation and learning about the area’s history making it one of the best hikes in the Midwest.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers a diverse range of natural and cultural experiences, and some of the best hikes in the Midwest, making it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs, and those seeking to reconnect with nature.
5. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin
While primarily known for its sea caves and kayaking, Apostle Islands also offers hiking trails that lead to stunning overlooks and secluded beaches making for some of the best hikes in the Midwest for coastal hikes. The area consists of a group of 22 islands in Lake Superior, as well as a portion of the Bayfield Peninsula.
Each of the islands within Apostle Islands National Lakeshore offers its own network of hiking trails. The trails vary in length, difficulty, and terrain, allowing hikers of all levels to find suitable options. Some of the islands with established trails include Stockton Island, Sand Island, and Madeline Island.
Lakeshore Trail (Mainland): The Lakeshore Trail is a popular hiking trail that follows the mainland coastline of the national lakeshore. It stretches for approximately 4 miles and offers stunning views of the rocky shoreline, sandstone cliffs, and Lake Superior. The trailhead is located near the Little Sand Bay Visitor Center.
Meyers Beach Sea Cave Trail: This trail is a short and relatively easy hike that leads to the sea caves along the lakeshore. The trailhead is located at Meyers Beach, and the round-trip hike is about 4 miles. The sea caves are particularly spectacular in winter when they freeze and form beautiful ice formations.
Julian Bay Trail (Stockton Island): Stockton Island is the largest island within the Apostle Islands group. The Julian Bay Trail is a 4-mile loop trail that takes you through a variety of habitats, including forests, wetlands, and sand dunes. The trail offers scenic views of the island’s interior and shoreline.
Sand Island Loop (Sand Island): Sand Island is known for its sandy beaches, dunes, and historic lighthouse. The Sand Island Loop is a 9-mile trail that circles the island, providing opportunities to explore the shoreline, and forests, and visit the lighthouse. The trail is moderately challenging due to some rugged terrain and can be accessed by ferry from Bayfield.
The islands provide important habitats for a variety of plant and animal species, including bald eagles, black bears, and white-tailed deer. The lakeshore also protects the historical and cultural significance of the area, including the maritime history and indigenous heritage.
Note that some of the islands within Apostle Islands National Lakeshore may require a boat or ferry ride to access.
6. Maquoketa Caves State Park, Iowa
This park is home to a network of caves that you can explore, making it one of the best hikes in the Midwest to do as far as being quite unique. There are several trails that provide opportunities for hiking and cave exploration.
Cave Trail: This trail is approximately 0.7 miles long and takes you through the heart of the park, leading you to several of the park’s caves. Along the way, you’ll pass by dramatic cliffs and rock formations. The caves within the park include Dancehall Cave, Hernando’s Hideaway, and the dramatic Balanced Rock formation.
Overlook Trail: This trail is a 0.4-mile loop that provides a panoramic view of the park and the surrounding countryside from a scenic overlook. It’s a relatively easy hike and offers a great vantage point to appreciate the park’s natural beauty.
Ridge Trail: The Ridge Trail is a 1.4-mile loop that takes you along the wooded ridge within the park. This trail offers a peaceful hike through a forested area, providing opportunities to spot wildlife and enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings.
Nature Trail: The Nature Trail is a short loop trail that is approximately 0.3 miles long. It offers interpretive signs along the way, providing information about the park’s flora, fauna, and geology. It’s a great option for a quick walk to learn more about the park’s natural features.
The park’s hiking trails wind through a mix of forested areas and open fields, offering scenic views along the way. The landscape features rolling hills, limestone bluffs, and the picturesque karst topography characteristic of the region.
When planning a visit to Maquoketa Caves State Park, check for any trail closures, park updates, and potential permit requirements. Respect the natural environment and follow park regulations to help preserve the caves and ensure a positive experience for all visitors.
7. Pikes Peak State Park, Iowa
Situated along the Mississippi River, Pikes Peak State Park offers hiking trails that lead to scenic overlooks, including one with views of the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers, making for some of the best hikes in the Midwest for epic views of rivers.
The Point Ann trail is one of the most popular in the park and is a very short one to do, offering a moderate hike that leads to an overlook with panoramic views of the Mississippi River. The trail is approximately 0.8 miles (1.3 kilometers) long and provides a stunning vantage point to appreciate the natural beauty of the area.
The Effigy Mounds Trail connects Pikes Peak State Park with Effigy Mounds National Monument, which is located nearby. The trail offers a longer hike option, spanning approximately 8.5 miles (13.7 kilometers). It passes through scenic woodlands and provides an opportunity to explore the ancient Native American burial mounds.
Pikes Peak State Park is also a stop along the Mississippi River Trail, a scenic route that follows the course of the river. Hikers can enjoy sections of the trail within the park, taking in the river views and the surrounding natural beauty.
8. Matthiessen State Park, Illinois
This park offers a variety of hiking trails and some of the best hikes in the Midwest. The trails wind through stunning rock formations, waterfalls, lush forests, and scenic canyons.
Dells Canyon Trail is the most popular and well-known trail in the park. It takes you through the scenic canyons of Matthiessen State Park, with towering sandstone walls and unique rock formations. The trail is approximately 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) long and features several waterfalls, including the impressive Cascade Falls.
The Bluff trail offers breathtaking views of the Vermilion River and the surrounding landscape from the top of the bluff. It spans about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) and provides a moderately challenging hike with some elevation changes.
Enjoy the stunning landscapes, waterfalls, and unique rock formations as you hike through this scenic Illinois gem.
9. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Michigan
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, often referred to as “The Porkies,” is a vast and stunning wilderness area located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
It offers a wide range of hiking opportunities through its rugged terrain, old-growth forests, picturesque waterfalls, and scenic vistas, including trails leading to stunning vistas along Lake Superior.
The Escarpment Trail is one of the most popular and iconic trails in the park and one of the best hikes in the Midwest for a shorter trail. It follows the rocky ridgeline of the ancient volcanic escarpment, providing breathtaking views of Lake of the Clouds and the surrounding landscape and is one of the best hikes in the Midwest. The trail is approximately 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) long and offers moderate to challenging hiking.
The Lake Superior Trail stretches along the park’s Lake Superior shoreline, offering hikers stunning views of the lake and opportunities to explore rocky beaches. It spans approximately 17 miles (27.4 kilometers) in total, but you can choose shorter segments to hike.
The Big Carp River Trail takes you deep into the heart of the Porcupine Mountains and offers a challenging and rewarding hiking experience. It follows the Big Carp River and leads you to Carp River Falls. The full trail is around 12 miles (19.3 kilometers) long, but there are options for shorter hikes as well.
10. Ice Age Trail, Wisconsin
The Ice Age Trail is a scenic hiking trail that stretches across the state of Wisconsin, following the remnants of the last Ice Age glacier that shaped the region and is one of the best hikes in the Midwest for longer distance.. It covers approximately 1,200 miles (1,931 kilometers) and offers hikers a diverse range of landscapes, including glacial features, forests, prairies, and scenic overlooks.
The Ice Age Trail is divided into several sections, each with its own unique features and trail conditions. Some popular sections include the Northern Kettle Moraine State Forest, Devil’s Lake State Park, and the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Hikers can choose to explore a specific section or complete the entire trail.
The trail showcases various scenic highlights along its route. These include stunning glacial formations such as eskers, kames, and drumlins. There are also picturesque lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and panoramic viewpoints that provide breathtaking vistas of the surrounding landscapes.
The trail offers a mix of easy, moderate, and challenging sections. Some segments have gentle terrain and are suitable for beginners, while others involve more rugged and hilly terrain, making it a great option for some of the best hiking in the Midwest to choose from.
Best Hiking In The Midwest
Those are some of the best hikes in the Midwest providing a range of experiences, from scenic coastal trails to wooded hikes and unique geological formations.
Have a read of the 10 best hiking books to inspire you’re hiking adventures.
And for more hiking tips check out my hiking guides.
If you want some gear advice for hiking with a lighter load, especially for longer hikes, then take a look at my gear guide for backpacking light. This will help you with gear selection for the best hikes in the Midwest.
I recommend using SafetyWing Travel Insurance for your trip, just in case, it’s best to be prepared.
Remember to check trail conditions and be prepared with proper gear and maps before embarking on any hiking adventure.
Share the best hikes in the Midwest:
