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Garden of the Gods Recreation Area
4.9 ★★★★★ 5,454 Google reviews · Running trail in Herod, Illinois · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Garden of the Gods Recreation Area'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.
Scenic hiking, camping & picnic area featuring sandstone rock formations & a trail with benches.
What runners say about Garden of the Gods Recreation Area
“She is 87, in pretty good shape, and was able to walk on the simpler, basic, scenic trail MOSTLY on her own.”
“25-mile trail is partly paved and an easy walk, but keep a close eye on your kids because the drop-offs are very steep.”
I absolutely love this place. Had a great time. Easy hike with amazing views. Many places close by to stay and eat. Loved the drive there also. A truly amazing place to see a glimpse of what millions of years of erosion and a changing world can do to a landscape. 😍
Garden of the Gods in Illinois is an absolute must-visit! The views are nothing short of spectacular, with dramatic rock formations and sweeping vistas that make every step worth it. The area is well maintained, with ample parking and clean restrooms, making it easy to spend a few hours exploring.
I recently took my elderly mom on a vacation, and one of the stops included a visit to Garden of the Gods. While there, I took my mom on a short hike to see the rock formations at the park. She is 87, in pretty good shape, and was able to walk on the simpler, basic, scenic trail MOSTLY on her own.
Truly a special place with the most gorgeous views. There is a walkable path but also enough ways to make it your own trip and climb and see things outside of the trail. It said it takes 45 min to walk through it but just take your time. I spent almost an hour and a half truly soaking it in.
Trail conditions & character
“The views are nothing short of spectacular, with dramatic rock formations and sweeping vistas that make every step worth it.”
“25-mile trail is partly paved and an easy walk, but keep a close eye on your kids because the drop-offs are very steep.”
“The area is well maintained, with ample parking and clean restrooms, making it easy to spend a few hours exploring.”
“Definitely wear hiking boots for better footing on the rocky sections.”
“The area is well maintained, with ample parking and clean restrooms, making it easy to spend a few hours exploring.”
Plan your run at Garden of the Gods Recreation Area
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- 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.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websitefs.usda.gov
- Phone+1 618-253-7114
- Social Instagram · Facebook
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 |
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