Best Hikes Near Chicago

Who says you have to travel far from home to go on a great hike? In Best Hikes Near Chicago author Adam Morgan details the best hikes within an hour's drive of the greater Chicago area perfect for the urban and suburbanite hard-pressed to find great outdoor activities close to home. Each featured hike includes detailed hike specs, a brief hike description, trailhead location, directional cues, and a detailed map.

* Guidebook to 55 dog-friendly hikes in California's Central Coast, Carmel Valley, Big Sur, and the Sierra Nevada* Tips on trail etiquette, trip preparations, finding appropriate routes for your dog, reducing environmental impacts, and more* Most up-to-date info on leash laws and regulationsCentral California has it all - gorgeous coastal parkland, mountainous wilderness areas, and everything in between. Hiking with your dog in Central California has never been easier for residents and visitors alike. This guide includes dog-friendly trails between Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo, stretching across the Central Valley eastward to Lee Vining and southward to Lone Pine. These trails are not only legal for canine hikers, but also welcoming and safe. Additionally, this guide presents information on hiking responsibly with your dog: what to do when you encounter other hikers, tips on minimizing negative impacts, and skills for preparing your dog for a hike in the varied terrainof Central California.

A guidebook to hikes around Chicago accessible by public transportation.

CLICK HERE to download two free hikes from Best Hikes with Kids Colorado * Guidebook to Colorado hikes selected for kids and their parents * Previously published as Best Hikes with Children in Colorado, this guidebook has a new title, a colorful new design including two-color throughout, and all new maps and photographs * More than 15 completely new hiking routes, and all route descriptions thoroughly updated From short, simple hikes in the foothills of Denver and Boulder to more challenging trails up majestic 14,000-foot peaks, Best Hikes with Kids: Colorado shows how to hit the trail with ease. Veteran guidebook writer and hiker Maureen Keilty describes the best trails all over the Rocky Mountain State, with hikes near Grand Junction, Durango, Colorado Springs, Vail, Crested Butte, and all along the Front Range. This guidebook includes a "Getaways" list to the best family-friendly destination campgrounds, and playful advice on engaging kids with nature. **Be sure to "like" author Maureen Keilty's Facebook page for tips, pictures, articles, contests and more!**

In addition to Chicago's numerous cultural and athletic activities, there are many excellent opportunities to explore Mother Nature's bounty. Including hikes near Aurora, Joliet, and Elgin, 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Chicago is filled with great options for those looking for hikes close to home. Trekkers will want to explore trails in Chain O' Lakes State Park, Volo Bog State Natural Area, Palos Forest Preserve, and Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. From the dunes of Lake Michigan to the hills and lakes of the northwest to the prairies of the south, hikers will find a trail to their liking in 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Chicago.

It’s Time to Take a Hike in Spectacular Chicago! The best way to experience Chicagoland is by hiking it! Get outdoors with Illinois author Ted Villaire as he helps you find and enjoy the top hikes within 60 miles of the city. A perfect blend of popular trails and hidden gems, the selected trails transport you to scenic overlooks, wildlife hot spots, and historical settings that renew your spirit and recharge your body. Go bird-watching at Goose Lake Prairie. Immerse yourself in history along the I&M Canal Trail. Experience breathtaking views from secluded Lake Michigan beaches. Marvel at the awe-inspiring sand dunes in Northwest Indiana. With a highly accomplished outdoors writer as your guide, you’ll learn about the area and experience nature through 60 of Chicago’s best hikes! Each hike description features key at-a-glance information on distance, difficulty, scenery, traffic, hiking time, and more, so you can quickly and easily learn about each trail. Detailed directions, GPS-based trail maps, and elevation profiles help to ensure that you know where you are and where you’re going. Tips on nearby activities further enhance your enjoyment of every outing. Whether you’re a local looking for new places to explore or a visitor to the area, 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Chicago provides plenty of options for a couple hours or a full day of adventure, all within about an hour from Chicago and the surrounding communities.

Chicago and its surroundings offer hikers a rich variety of hiking options, including rugged trails, large forest preserves, and looping rivers. Because of the unique scenery around the city, hiking in Chicago is more than just a trek around town. In Moon Take a Hike Chicago, dedicated outdoor explorer Barbara I. Bond shows you the best hikes in and around Chicago—all within two hours of the city. With details on public transportation options and clear directions on how to reach the trailhead, Bond has all the bases covered. Suggested lists of hikes include: Best for Hiking with Children Best Urban Hikes Best Wildflower Hikes Best for History Lovers Best Bird-Watching Hikes Best Geology Hikes Let Moon show you all the worthwhile hikes, from short, flat routes suitable for families to day-long, steep treks for more advanced hikers. Each hike profile contains practical information including point-by-point trail navigation, contact information, facilities, fees, parking instructions, and an easy-to-use map for each trail. From East Indiana and the southwest tip of Michigan through Starved Rock State Park and up into Wisconsin's Kettle Moraine State Forest, your trip begins with Moon Take a Hike Chicago.

Colorado has 53 14ers, more than 600 13ers, and hundreds of other peaks that can be reached without special equipment or expertise. Numerous guides dryly catalog these trails, but Best Summit Hikes in Colorado stands out from them all. Author James Dziezynski has meticulously selected 80+ of the state's absolute best peaks in more than 50 superlative hikes, and his opinionated narrative brings each route to life. Each summit is included because of a notable feature--whether it's the site of a ghost mine or airplane wreckage, has thundering waterfalls or colorful floral meadows, is the best summit for spotting wildlife or bringing out-of-town friends, or is very accessible. Some peaks offer unique opportunities, such as a trailhead accessible only via a steam-powered railroad. Several summits are described in no other publication. Covering all Colorado's major mountain ranges, including the well-known Sangre De Cristo, Gore, Sawatch, Indian Peaks, and Maroon Bell wilderness areas to the lesser-known Grenadiers, Medicine Bow, and Outer San Juan peaks, this distinctive guide makes it easy to select exactly the right hike for the right day, the right mood, and the right companions.