Explore the best rated trails in Springfield, IL. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Arches Rail Trail and Benld-Gillespie Bike Trail. With more than 16 trails covering 67 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
First, here's the most accessible address: 194 Bremer Ln, Butler, IL 62015Second, this is a lovely hidden gem! It's very much a secluded and serene walk. It's mostly flat, too, with nice and wide trails. Very well maintained.
I walked this trail on a very unusually warm New Year’s day. It was 55°. Perfect for hiking. It was a little muddy, but not bad. It was so nice and peaceful. It is perfect if you are just starting to exercise after a major surgery. Perfectly level.
Found this to be a beautiful trail for easy riding. Very nice parking lot at Sherman Trailhead. Scenic wooded areas open up to beautiful farmland views along the trail as one gets closer to Williamsville. While in Williamsville can ride a bit further into town and hop on another trail which starts at the high school and meanders along a residential areas to the lake. Can ride around the lake which is beautiful!
Gorgeous scenery. Like I’m not even in Illinois, my new favorite trail, it’s very smooth and wide. My only gripe (besides people not cleaning up their dog’s poop) is no water fountains. There’s plenty of neighborhoods & other areas that could get water to the trail. Not everyone bikes and can carry lots of water. I went for a 20 mile run and the water fountain@ Stuart Park was off. Ran out of water at 15 miles. Not one trail in this town has any access to water. I almost stopped at someone’s house to ask if they could refill my water bottles.
We started at the south end, from Centennial park. The first 1.5 miles are mostly in the open with a few road crossings and not much shade, but after that it is a beautiful shaded trail. Nice bridges along the way. Highly recommended.
There are sections of this trail that are very rough. After a few miles...I just gave up beating me and the bike to death. This could be a beautiful trail if it just had some repaving and trimming.
We enjoyed our first out and back ride on the Lincoln Prairie Trail on a hot and sunny morning. First the positives. Beautiful farmland scenery over a 13.5 mile straight line from Pana to Taylorville. Tree cover is intermittent and very welcome on a sunny day with the exception of a 2 mile long open stretch just east of Taylorville. There are a number of really beautiful stretches where you’re going through a tunnel of trees along the way. For those looking for a flat trail, this fits the bill. Over our 27 mile out and back ride we gained a mere 250 feet of altitude. As for the less positive elements, the pavement varies between good and poor condition. The opening 2 miles from Pana is pretty rough with lots of grass and weeds growing through cracks in the pavement. In other areas there are a lot of cracks and bumps that detract a bit from the ride. Be aware that there are no amenities along the path. Use the restroom at the McDonalds in Pana before starting as the porta-potty at the Pana parking lot is not very nice. Also be sure to pack water and a snack as there is no where to get something along the way. Despite the negatives, we really enjoyed our ride and will be back. If you love beautiful farm scenes and a flat ride you should enjoy the Lincoln Prairie Trail. When we reached the north end near Taylorville we were greeted with an imposing concrete barrier that keeps you from crossing a small bridge and completing the last mile into Taylorville. I hope they can raise the funds to repair the bridge as it would really be nice stop for a refreshment before returning to Pana.
The 1/4 mile section of Pedigo road that is part of the trail is in poor shape and needs asphalt paving.
This is a great connector from Chatham to Springfield, but some sections were poorly constructed and are poorly maintained. Also, at some locations the drainage ditch between the trail and active track is impeded, creating mosquito breeding grounds.
While only 5 miles in length the trail has a lot to offer. The trail is mostly covered with trees which is really nice on extremely hot days. Would ride again.
We started at halfway point and discovered awesome hiking trails. Saw lots of wildlife.
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