Best Chicago Hiking in March, 2021

March is a tricky month in the Chicago area for hiking. Just when you think it’s getting warmer, it gets cold again. Green begins to poke its head and yet it always snows. Therefore, in our opinion, the best hiking destinations for March are ones with paved or limestone paths, without steep grades and many bail-out points. Based on this criteria, here are the top 5 hikes in the Chicago area for 2021. Plus a bonus.

North: Chain O’Lakes State Park, IL

Our number one pick for hiking in March is Chain O’Lakes State Park, you can read our original post at https://www.hike360vr.com/chain-o-lakes/

The Chain O’Lakes Trails are interlocking circles and well maintained. The park also allows camping in March, for those of us who enjoy sleeping on the cold ground. Click the link below for a park brochure: https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/publications/Documents/00000093.pdf

The Badger Trail and the Gold Finch Trail are the highlights for March. Both are accessible from the main parking lot near the Park Offices. Watch our 360° VR Video Playlist for a view of the hike.

A perfect route for March would be North and clockwise around the Gold Finch Trail. The Gold Finch Trail goes along the Fox River for a bit and is shorter than the Badger Trail. If the weather changes, you can return the parking lot pretty easily. 

If the weather is still good, then connect to the Badger Trail going clockwise (East side first). The Badger Trail has amazing views and lots of prairie. If the weather is good, connect to the Sunset Trail in the south. Otherwise, come back North on the West side of the trail. This is where the best views are within the park, see the last video on our playlist.

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West: Waterfall Glen, IL

This is a longer hike, just under 10 miles, and can get muddy in the spring. We suggest this hike because if you can handle a longer journey, this is worth it. Out original post from summer is here: https://www.hike360vr.com/waterfall-glen-il/

I would not recommend going down to the river section in March, but its there if you want. The prairie and forest sections of this hike will be the highlights.

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South: Palos Trails, Country Lane Woods.

The Country Lane Woods Loop is not paved but it is well maintained. The path is publicized as the “Intermediate” recommended trail in the brochure; it’s about 5 miles and well maintained. The trail starts with an old gravel country lane that provides a wide path for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing or horseback riding through the heart of the preserve. Head south along the Tan Trail to the intersection with the Yellow Trail. You can read our original post at https://www.hike360vr.com/palos-trails-il/

This ecological restoration site provides great viewing for wildlife as well as delicate woodland and prairie wildflowers. Hike around the yellow trail starting near the Cranberry Slough Nature Preserve, one of only a few peat bogs in Illinois. Then rejoin the northern portion of the Tan Trail. Head south back to your starting point. The Palos Trails offer terrific opportunities for bird watching. More than 300 nesting, migrant and overwintering bird species have been spotted in the Palos region.

Palos Trails Brochure: https://fpdcc.com/downloads/maps/trails/english/FPCC-Palos-Trail-Map-2018-010919.pdf

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Chicago: Chicago Lake Front Path

Very few hikes beat the Chicago Lake Front. If you have a sunny day with low winds, the Lake Front Paths are paved and ready for action. See our original post at https://www.hike360vr.com/chicago-lake-front-south/

After the large structures of Chicago’s Museum Campus, Soldiers Field and McCormick place, the lake front path becomes more nature oriented. The strip of lakefront land south of McCormick and North of the 31st Harbor is known as the Burnham Wildlife Corridor. Sure enough, this is a corridor and there is green space. There are also a few artistic placements meant as meet-up areas.

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Bonus: Indiana Dunes State Park, Three Dune Challenge with Snowshoes.

If there is a large lake effect snow and you have snowshoes, head to the Indiana Dunes State Park and snowshoe the 3-Dunes Challenge. The ups and downs of the dunes are perfect for snowshoes – don’t forget your poles. You can read our original article at https://www.hike360vr.com/indiana-dunes-state-park-in/

Challenge friends, family, and yourself to a climb up the three tallest sand dunes at Indiana Dunes State Park. It’s 1.5 miles of tough trail with 552 vertical feet. Today we are snowshoeing the Challenge and adding some lake front distance to the Furnace Blowout. It was so enjoyable and we highly recommend hitting this hike with snowshoes. We had a great time. See how we earned the Indiana Dunes State Park pin at our site: https://www.hike360vr.com/indiana-dun…​ Learn more about the 3 Dunes Challenge here: https://www.indianadunes.com/explore-…​

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