Have been to pictured rocks around this time of year. Looking for something dryer or slightly warmer, ideally with some fall color.
Posted Aug 31, 2022, 7:42 PM UTC
Charles Deam Wilderness Area in southern IN would be less than 5 hours from you. You can backpack out to the edge of Lake Monroe, and there’s a large explorable cave called Patton Cave. The foliage is insane out there towards mid-October.
I second this.
I third it! I did over 20 miles of it this past spring and it was great. Lots of trail options that would fill 4-5 days. There aren’t many spectacular vistas or views, but the wilderness is great.
There are also showers at the Paynetown Campground just north of there if you wanted to clean up before driving home. It has a small day use fee, but very worth IMO.
Foliage sounds great!
Look into the River to River trail in the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois.
I would recommend this as a solid option. You have to check on water in some areas during the fall season.
Any sections you’d recommend?
The first stretch starting at the east end in Elizabethtown through Garden of the Gods and the Lusk Forest area would be ideal. The west end starts with a dozen or so miles of levee walking.
The bonus is wherever you leave off, that could be the start of the next part another time for section hiking it. Avenza maps has great maps for it through the R2R Society.
Porkies. Right at your max range but awesome destination.
I 2nd the porkies. Going on my 2nd annual trip there in 4 weeks.
Same here. Bring a group of women in early Oct every year.
How cold does it get at night in October?
Early October it can get below freezing at night and usually 50’s to 70’s for highs
The Ice Age trail that goes through the Kettle Moraine just west of Milwaukee.
The ice age trail is great in the fall, especially further north.
Just watch out for horse flies
Yeah I really like the northern unit of the kettles, close to Sheboygan. The northern parts of Wisconsin are also very pretty. Gets more mixed conifer up there. The sections that go through Madison look great as well with devils lake. I have only explored the eastern portion of the trail. Northern kettle unit up to door county would be a gorgeous option.
Red River Gorge in KY is around a 7 hr drive.
Second this
You could go the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore and take the ferry out to the Manitou Islands. Each island can be a two night trek.
Already did that this summer, was great tho!
You’re getting after it!
I hiked the Tecumseh Trail in Southern Indiana a number of years ago. It was very pretty, finding enough water along the way was the only concern. It’s 44 miles, so depending on how fast you go, could be 3-5 days.
You can get to the Ozarks (SW Missouri / NW Arkansas) in 9 or 10 hours from Chicago. Lots of good backpacking there, and beautiful in the fall
Any specific spots you’d recommend?
I wish I had some specifics for you. My dad used to go backpacking in that region a lot. Personally I can attest to its beauty in the fall, but I can’t recommend specific trails. Bentonville/ Fayetteville in Arkansas would probably be the starting point. Perhaps Eureka Springs, too. Gotta go to google I guess
Sections of the Ozark Trail in Missouri are pretty nice! The Tom Sauk area is beautiful. There's the Ozark Highland Trail in Arkansas which looks great but I haven't personally gotten to them yet. I did do the Buffalo River Trail in Arkansas and that was beautiful. That area of Arkansas really impressed me and I can't wait to go back!
Knobstone Trail in southern Indiana. Fair warning though, it's a tough one
It wold be about the max of your limit there, but you could get to the Superior Hiking Trail in about 8 hours.
knobstone trail in indiana, 5ish hrs from chi. 50 some miles.
Porcupine Mountains
Grand Island
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore can’t be beat… especially in Fall.
But the Superior Hiking Trail can come close. It’s the SHT!
https://superiorhiking.org/