The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is inviting residents to celebrate National Trails Day this weekend with a hike through the state’s parks.
The department is hosting events at four parks to celebrate, including experiences like scavenger hunts, self-guided outings and interpretive hikes. Participants will earn special, limited-time stickers.
Here’s how Illinois residents can join.
When is National Trails Day?
National Trails Day is celebrated on the first Saturday of June, with nationwide public events aimed at advocating for clean public lands and trails, according to the American Hiking Society.
This year, the holiday falls on Saturday, June 6.
Where is Illinois hosting events?
IDNR is hosting special National Trails Day hikes at the following Illinois parks:
What National Trails Day events can I join?
IDNR is hosting a Hiking Boot Challenge at Giant City State Park, hiding a special “hiking boot” in all seven of the park’s trails for hikers to find. Participants who take selfies at two of the boots can show the pictures to a worker or volunteer at the visitor center between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to earn a special sticker.
Self-guided tours will be available at Lincoln Trail State Park, with commemorative stickers available while supplies last at the campground host station in the Plainview campground.
Those looking to have some fun by the water can join a guided bog tour at Volo Bog State Natural Area. Tours begin at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and take participants along the floating boardwalk through Illinois’ only open-water quaking bog. Registration is required by emailing dnr.volobog@illinois.gov.
A two-mile guided hike will be hosted at 10 a.m. at McHenry Dam, taking participants along the Fox River to learn about local wildlife and the functions of the dam. Registration is required by emailing dnr.volobog@illinois.gov.
How to earn extra National Trails Day sticker
All those who complete one of the four hikes will also earn a special patch-inspired “Hiked It and Liked It” sticker, according to IDNR.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois celebrates National Trails Day with special hikes, stickers
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
