Champaign County Forest Preserve District Launches New Hiking Challenge

For those who enjoy staying active and exploring the great outdoors, the Champaign County Forest Preserve District has an exciting new challenge. The District is inviting area residents to take on the task of hiking all 30 of its trails, spread across six forest preserves and the Kickapoo Rail Trail.

If participants hike five new trails each month, they’ll be entered to win prizes.

To track their progress, hikers can use a trail tracker available on the District’s website, champaignforests.org. Participants are encouraged to take selfies beside trail signs to document their journeys and submit these photos for contest entry.

The contest aims to motivate hikers to explore different trails rather than revisiting their usual favorites.

Last year, the District celebrated its 75th anniversary with a promotion encouraging residents to hike 75 miles between Memorial Day and Labor Day. This year’s challenge builds on that success, prompting even seasoned hikers to explore new paths.

What you need to do:

• Register for the Trails Challenge
• Download the Trails Tracker sheet
• Take a picture at the “Selfie Spot” marker on each trail
• Add your selfie to the Trails Tracker sheet and if you have visited 5 or more trails, email to trails@ccfpd.org by the end of each month. 

The Forest Preserve District’s extensive network of trails offers a variety of options for hikers:

Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve:

• Rayburn Purnell (.5 miles)
• Stidham Woods Trail (.53 miles)
• Floodplain Trail (.21 miles)
• Museum Meander Trail (.43 miles)
• Bike Trail (3.3 miles)
• Buffalo Trace Circuit Trails (5.0 miles)

Heron View Forest Preserve:

• Sycamore Trail (1.4 miles)

Homer Lake Forest Preserve:

• Timberdoodle Trail (1.2 miles)
• Maple Sugar Grove (.1 miles)
• Sand Beach Cove Trail (.68 miles)
• Flicker Woods Trail (.94 miles)
• Oak Ridge Trail (1.9 miles)
• West Lake Trail (4.6 miles)
• North Trail (.3 miles)
• Collins Pond Trail (.82 miles)
• Bluebell Trail (.60 miles)
• PawPaw Trail (.15 miles)

Middle Fork River Forest Preserve:

• Oak Burl Trail (2.2 miles)
• Prairie View Trail (.80 miles)
• Midland Trail (1.4 miles)
• South Loop Trail (2.2 miles)
• Point Pleasant (2.2 miles)
• Old Miner’s Trail (1.5 miles)
• North Waterfowl Trail (1.2 miles)

Kickapoo Rail Trail:

• Urbana to 7th St., St. Joseph (7.0 miles)
• Ogden (1.5 miles)

River Bend Forest Preserve:

• Dogleg Loop (1.3 miles)
• Woodland Trail (1.2 miles)

Sangamon River Forest Preserve:

• Wildcat Slough (.5 miles)
• Prairie Trail (.9 miles)
• Bottomland Trail (.8 miles)

Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking for a fun way to stay active, the Champaign County Forest Preserve District’s new challenge offers an excellent opportunity to explore the beauty of local nature trails. For more information and to start your hiking journey, visit champaignforests.org.