HomeIllinoisValmeyer › Salt Lick Point Land and Water Reserve

Salt Lick Point Land and Water Reserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 442 Google reviews · Running trail in Valmeyer, Illinois · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Salt Lick Point Land and Water Reserve'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.

LoopScenicHillyTrailhead parking

Hiking and walking trails along bluffs, with views of the Mississippi floodplains, plus some caves.

What runners say about Salt Lick Point Land and Water Reserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (442 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 18 mentions

“It's got a very strenuous trail with multiple paths that lead through a beautiful Forest with many wildflowers in the spring on Johnson t Trail.”

This hike is our top pick in the area! It offers a delightful blend of easy, challenging, and wonderfully scenic sections. Typically, we complete it in about an hour and a half, taking our time to enjoy the views along the way. The old mining structures add a fascinating touch to the experience.

★★★★☆ — Colin , Aug 2024

Great hike, gorgeous views from the outlooks on top of the trail. A moderately hard hike and there are some steep drop offs with narrow trails in a few areas, if hiking with kids keep them on the trail. Stay on the trails, lots of solid looking ground that's actually loose gravel. This is definitely worth another hike!

★★★★★ — Kip , Dec 2021

I love this place. There are a few trails that all converge at different points (about 7 miles of trails in total if you did everything). It's not the biggest hiking trail system in the area, but the scenery is second to none; very beautiful.

★★★★★ — Bradley , Sep 2017

This is a great hike that does not take too long. The paths are good, but can be a little tricky for first time visitors. The views are awesome. Make sure you take plenty of water if you are going all the way to the scenic view. The scenic view is well worth the hike.

★★★★★ — Marc , May 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 442 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 32 mentions

“It's got a very strenuous trail with multiple paths that lead through a beautiful Forest with many wildflowers in the spring on Johnson t Trail.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 9 mentions

“A moderately hard hike and there are some steep drop offs with narrow trails in a few areas, if hiking with kids keep them on the trail.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“It's also an excellent workout, bc the trail elevates 400 feet up the bluff from the parking lot.”

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🔁 Loop trail 2 mentions

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Plan your run at Salt Lick Point Land and Water Reserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • 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 — reported by runners
  • Websitefacebook.com
  • Phone(618) 935-2131

Hours

Monday 8 AM–6 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–6 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–6 PM
Thursday 8 AM–6 PM
Friday 8 AM–6 PM
Saturday 8 AM–6 PM
Sunday 8 AM–6 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Salt Lick Point Land and Water Reserve

Valmeyer, Illinois

Get directions

Running trails near Valmeyer

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Salt Lick Point and Water Reserve Trailhead

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All running trails in Valmeyer, IL →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.