Champaign-Urbana is full of great places for your family to go for a walk
When you decide to go for a family walk, we know you probably just walk out your front door and stroll the neighborhood. But if you’re looking for some options that may involve hopping in the car and driving a short distance, we have ideas for you. Because Champaign-Urbana is chock full of great places to go for a walk!
It doesn’t matter what ages your kids are — with strollers/bikes/scooters or none of the above — there are paths and trails ready for you around town. Not to mention going for a walk is a wonderful activity to do while still practicing social distancing during the era of COVID-19.
Champaign Trails and Paths
- Hessel Park, .63 miles
Between Kirby Avenue and Grandview Road, just east of Prospect Road - Ashland Park Subdivision Trail, 2 miles
East of Prospect Avenue and north of Interstate Drive, surrounding Toalson Park - Boulware Trail, 1.25 miles
North of Windsor Road, through Mattis Park and ending near State and Fox Drive - First Street Trail (University Park Trail), 1.48 miles
Along First Street from Gregory to Windsor Road - Greenbelt Bikeway, 1.6 miles
Begins on the north end at Dodds Park on Parkland Way Drive, extends south, crosses Bradley Avenue and through Heritage Park, passes under Interstate 72 into Kaufman Park - Greenbelt Connector Trail, .23 miles
Extends from Greenbelt Bikeway in Heritage Park to Country Fair Drive - Martin Luther King Trail, .25 miles
Begins at Wesley Park on 1001 N. 3rd St., and extends south to the corner of Washington and Fourth Street - North Champaign Trail, .34 miles
Begins east of Prospect Avenue at Interstate Drive and continues south to Moreland Boulevard - O’Malley’s Alley Trail, .5 miles
Between Kenwood Road and Duncan Avenue, just south of Springfield Avenue - Pipeline Trail, 1 mile
Between Kirby Avenue and Windsor Road, west of Mullikin Drive - Robeson Meadow Trail, 2 miles
South of Windsor Road and west of Duncan Road - Roby Trail, 1.43 miles
Begins in Robeson Park, extends northeast, ends at Mattis Avenue just south of Kirby Avenue - Simon Trail, .53 miles
Begins at Mattis Avenue just south of Kirby Avenue, continues east to Wisegarver Park and south to Devonshire Drive - Turnberry Ridge Trail, 1 mile
East of Staley Road between Kirby and Springfield Avenue
Urbana Trails and Paths
- Busey Woods trails, 2.5 miles
Start at Anita Purves Nature Center. Along the way you will find exhibits, seasonal ponds and wildlife. This is not a concrete trail, this is nature at its best. You may want to wear bug spray and be wary of poison ivy and ticks. Also, no bikes or domestic animals allowed in order to protect the environment. - Meadowbrook Park, 3 miles
Along Windsor Road and Race Street, pass an ornamental tree grove, massive sculptures, kids playing on the playground and many gardens - University of Illinois Arboretum and Japan House
Lincoln Avenue, just south of Florida Avenue - Crestview Park
Corner of Cottage Grove and Sunnycrest Drive and features an Asian-style garden with a walking path - King Park
Adjacent to King School, the park has paths to walk on among playgrounds, pavilions and plenty of open space - Leal Park
303 W. University Ave., short-hard path - South Ridge Park
In Myra Ridge Subdivision, the trail loops around the quiet neighborhood
Savoy Trails and Paths
- Harold E. Ruppel Bike Path, 1.8 miles long and connects to trail systems in Champaign
Access the path to the south of the Savoy Recreation Center at 402 W. Graham Drive
Other noteworthy trails and paths beyond Champaign-Urbana
- Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve and Buffalo Trace Prairie, Mahomet, more than 7 miles long
Begin at the Buffalo Trace Prairie trailhead on Crowley Road (County Road 250 E) and wander through the prairie before crossing Route 47 and into the Botanical Gardens at Lake of the Woods. Or, park anywhere in Lake of the Woods and head out to explore. - Homer Lake Forest Preserve, Homer more than 10 miles
A mixture of paved trails and unpaved trails of varying difficulty levels, head into the forest preserve located east of Champaign-Urbana for a nature escape - Riverbend Forest Preserve, Mahomet 2.2 miles
With one multi-use trail that could be biked and another trail known as the “nature trail”, these trails are nestled around a glistening lake and full of wildlife - Allerton Park, Monticello, more than 12 miles
Check out the trail map here so you can figure out what exactly you’re willing to embark on when you head to Allerton. The gardens are simply stunning.
Family-friendly Hikes near Champaign-Urbana | Walk Your Way Through Champaign-Urbana | Parks Minus Playgrounds We Love Around Champaign-Urbana | Family-Friendly Bike Trails in the Champaign-Urbana Area | Kicking Off the Fishing Season | Creek Stomping Your Way Through Champaign-Urbana | 6 Places to Explore Nature with Children Near Champaign-Urbana | Camping With Your Family Near Champaign-Urbana | Where to Rent Canoes, Kayaks and Boats Near Champaign-Urbana | Moraine View State Park | Clinton Lake | Kickapoo State Park | Turkey Run State Park