Epic Hikes To Take When Visiting The Midwest

While many may think of America's West Coast as boasting the country's best hikes, the Midwest actually offers a treasure trove of lesser-known but epic trails. From arid landscapes with towering, whimsical spires to mossy slot canyons begging to be discovered, there's no shortage of worthwhile walks to experience the expanse of the nation's middle. Twelve states make up the U.S. region known as the Midwest, from Ohio in the far east to The Dakotas, Nebraska, and Kansas in the west. 

Between these borders is an endless series of unique treks to stretch your legs on, cascading waterfalls to see, backcountry campsites to sleep under the stars, and picturesque scenery to capture through your lens. With all of the beautiful national parks of the Midwest, along with national lakeshores and state parks, it's a wonder why this area isn't more popular with outdoors enthusiasts. You can uncover them for yourself — before the crowds arrive — with this list of epic hikes to take when visiting the Midwest.

Clocking in at a whopping 10.5 miles long, the Chapel Loop Trail isn't for the faint of heart but does provide jaw-dropping views. Tucked away on Michigan's Upper Peninsula along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, its moderate difficulty may scare away some hikers, but those who complete the trail will be rewarded with the picturesque scenery of Michigan's craggy coastline and the almost tropical-looking, turquoise waters of Lake Superior. Although this trail is certainly a journey, the path is never boring with sites. Passing Mosquito Falls and Chapel Rock, along with countless other vistas and waterfalls to explore, the trail also weaves through various backcountry camping sites, as well as Chapel Beach and Mosquito Beach. If the water isn't too cold, the beaches are excellent swimming locations if you get sweaty on your hike. 

However, the hike's true star is Grand Portal Point, a panoramic lookout that offers unbridled views of the lake and its iconic sandstone shoreline topped with tufts of pine. The Chapel Loop Trail is even more scenic in autumn when the deciduous forests surrounding Lake Superior become ablaze with fiery fall foliage in crimson and gold. The national parks around the Great Lakes are beautiful, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is certainly worth exploring. Just be aware that Chapel Loop Trail does feature some dangerous cliff edges, dropping hundreds of feet to the lake below.

Known as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," it's no wonder that Minnesota's national park, Voyageurs, is a patchwork quilt of forests and water. The Blind Ash Bay Trail displays the best of this northern wonderland. Snaking its way 2.9 miles through boreal pine forests, the path skirts the edge of Kabetogama Lake. Blind Ash Bay Trail leaves from the Ash Bay Visitors Center. This is a great place to stop and learn about trail conditions and any wildlife you might see along the way. Hikers are almost guaranteed glimpses of white-tailed deer and bald eagles. Some animals, like otters, are much more elusive. 

Note that you'll also be sharing the forest with some potentially dangerous animals. Black bears, moose, and wolves all roam these woods (though they usually avoid humans). Visitors who spend the night will be delighted with millions of twinkling stars. Since the park has an International Dark Sky Park designation, the park's campgrounds offer views of star-lit skies. If you're lucky, the aurora borealis may also paint the sky in shades of neon green and fuchsia.

The 3 Dunes Hike isn't for the faint-hearted. In fact, the "3 Dune Challenge" is practically legendary. Only 1.5 miles in length, this trail gains 552 feet of elevation over its course as hikers traverse three towering sand dunes: Mt. Jackson, Mt. Holden, and Mt. Tom. Test your mettle by running the trail, or you can casually accomplish it while enjoying the views along the way.

Those who make it to the top are rewarded with sprawling views of Lake Michigan and Chicago. There's also a novelty bumper sticker waiting at the Indiana Dunes Visitor's Center. You can buy a t-shirt or sweater, announcing your feat to anyone who happens to read it. Visitors should know that Indiana Dunes State Park and Indiana Dunes National Park are separate entities. This is an important factor when planning your trip, as you'll need separate permits for each park.

Illinois's Starved Rock State Park is known for its beautiful waterfalls, which are on full display along the Starved Rock and Sandstone Point Overlook Trail. This is an easy hike. Even novice trekkers will enjoy this trail, passing by one of the most famous sites in the park, LaSalle Waterfall. While it only runs in spring or after heavy rainfall, the area near the waterfall itself is stunning in fall. Autumn foliage descends on the forest, creating a beautiful reflection in the falls. Depending on conditions, hikers may be able to explore behind the LaSalle Waterfall, and viewing the forest from the other side of the mist is almost otherworldly.

As the trail's name might suggest, the second-best features of this trail are the panoramic viewpoints. Overlooks of the Illinois River skirt the trail for over half of its length, and the loop culminates in a rocky outcrop with unparalleled views of the river and forest. If this trail doesn't satiate your hiking spirit, you can also seek out other hikes in the state park. The St. Louis Canyon Trail is just down the road and includes the park's highest waterfall. 

Effigy Mounds National Monument is a beautiful testament to Iowa's rich First Nations heritage. Known to historians as the Effigy Moundbuilders, the group created mounds that formed the shape of various animals. Referred to as effigies, these mounds are found all along the Mississippi River. This area alone is home to 206 separate mounds. These mounds were used as burial sites and are sacred places to the Effigy Moundbuilders. Arranged to look like various animals, the mounds resemble bears, birds, deer, and bison, just to name a few. 

Of course, you would have to see them from above to take in the full picture. The Fire Point Loop Trail is one of the easiest ways to see the effigies. It's recommended to hike the trail clockwise, revealing over two dozen mounds that form the Great Bear and Little Bear. Continue on the trail for sweeping views of the Mississippi River, and stop by the Visitor's Center for more information on Effigy Mound Culture.

Nebraska's Toadstool Geological Park is a whimsical example of erosion, which created rock formations that resemble stout mushrooms. Hikers can get up close and personal with these fairytale landscapes on the Bison Trail. Although it's just one of three hikes in this humble park, you'll be able to roam over three miles to discover towering hoodoos, grasslands, and a bison bone bed. Like other regions in the Midwest, the Toadstool Geological Park has hidden treasure below its rocky surface.

Fossils are commonly found and impeccably preserved in this area of Nebraska, and the bison bone bed is no exception. Hundreds of ancient bison died at this very spot within the park. Researchers can only guess what caused their deaths, and you can formulate your own hypothesis while visiting them at the end of the Bison Trail.

The Toadstool Geological Park could have sprouted straight from a sci-fi novel. In reality, you might recognize this familiar landscape from South Dakota's Badlands and would be right. As a part of the larger Oglala National Grasslands, this geological park is also considered badlands.