Home › Illinois › Effingham › Effingham TREC Trail
Effingham TREC Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 62 Google reviews · Running trail in Effingham, Illinois · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Effingham TREC Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Park with paved trails that wind through meadows and woods, over bridges, and alongside rivers.
What runners say about Effingham TREC Trail
“The large trees (lots of hickory and oak) that are creating beautiful scenery and can also walk on the Little Wabash River sand bars.”
Stunning trail with wooded areas, sand areas, tons of tables and benches along the way. Well maintained and lovely.
The Effingham TREC Trail was a joy to stroll along on an early May afternoon. The trail is primarily for cyclists, but is perfect for walking. It's paved and weaves through an open meadow, across a river or creek, and through some tree coverage. There was beautiful wildlife all throughout.
Wonderful trail network. Went for a three mile hike here and the spring ephemerals weee beautiful! Saw a wood thrush among many other birds. Parking lot and trail in good condition with many benches along the way if you need a rest. So great to have a nice place to walk less than 5 minutes from my hotel.
Love this place, and its growing all the time. Local, with trails walking away from town or going into town for lunch or whatever.
Trail conditions & character
“The large trees (lots of hickory and oak) that are creating beautiful scenery and can also walk on the Little Wabash River sand bars.”
“Parking lot and trail in good condition with many benches along the way if you need a rest.”
“It's paved and weaves through an open meadow, across a river or creek, and through some tree coverage.”
“The only hills that presented a little bit of a challenge were at the very beginning (and end) of my stroll but I was able to get over those without any assistance.”
“Stunning trail with wooded areas, sand areas, tons of tables and benches along the way.”
“I didn't spot any restrooms along the trail or at the trailhead.”
“I've been walking my dog on the trail since they started construction.”
“5 miles on my wheelchair before doubling back for roughly 5 miles total.”
Plan your run at Effingham TREC Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitefacebook.com
- Phone(217) 342-5310
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Effingham
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Evergreen Hollow Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 191 reviews
Recreational park featuring a playground, picnic tables, tennis court, baseball field, and mini-golf.
Effingham City Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 93 reviews
Playgrounds and trails in a 30-acre park featuring a disc golf course, baseball and tennis facilities.
Lake Sara Beach Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 5 reviews
Ballard Nature Center
4.9 ★★★★★ 187 reviews
Relaxed refuge featuring wooded trails, prairie and wetlands environments, plus a visitor center.
Hidden Springs State Forest
4.6 ★★★★★ 133 reviews
Secluded and tranquil outdoor area featuring ponds, playgrounds, camping spots and trails.
Big Tree Nature Trail
3.1 ★★★☆☆ 13 reviews