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You are here: Home / Outdoor Fun / Walk Your Way Through Champaign-Urbana

Walk Your Way Through Champaign-Urbana

March 23, 2022 By From The Editors

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!

Walk Your Way Through Champaign-Urbana


Thank you to Carle for presenting this information.

As the region’s trusted healthcare provider, serving and improving the health of the community members is central to everything Carle does. To find out more, visit the website or follow on Facebook or Instagram.

Carle Foundation Hospital


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 you’re focusing on outdoor activities that give your family a chance to move your bodies and make memories together, too.

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

Busey Woods paved trail

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 Dr.

Walking Path at Lake of the Woods

Other noteworthy trails and paths beyond Champaign-Urbana

  • Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve and Buffalo Trace Prairie, Mahomet, more than 7 miles
    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.

More on all your favorite outdoor activities:

  • Gardens and Flower Farms in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond
  • Where to Go Boating with Your Family Near Champaign-Urbana
  • Hiking Trails For Families in the Champaign-Urbana Area
  • Visiting Champaign-Urbana Area Parks and Playgrounds with your Family
  • Fishing Fun for Families in the Champaign-Urbana Area
  • Walk Your Way Through Champaign-Urbana
  • Avoid the Mud and Muck with Mulch-Free Playgrounds in Champaign-Urbana
  • Great Places for a Picnic in the Champaign-Urbana Area
  • Family-Friendly Bike Trails in the Champaign-Urbana Area
  • Creek Stomping Your Way Around Champaign-Urbana
  • Camping with Your Family Near Champaign-Urbana
  • Parks Minus Playgrounds We Love Around Champaign-Urbana
  • 6 Places to Experience Nature with Kids Near Champaign-Urbana

Top spots for outdoor recreation near Champaign-Urbana:

  • Everything You Need to Know About Visiting River Bend Forest Preserve in Mahomet
  • Cool Off at the Homer Lake Natural Playscape
  • Visiting Clinton Lake With Your Family
  • Visiting Imagination Grove Near Bloomington-Normal
  • Meet Me Halfway: Kankakee River State Park
  • Hidden Treasure in Central Illinois: Weldon Springs State Park
  • The Perfect Family Hike: Explore the Sangamon River Forest Preserve near Fisher
  • Best Kept Secret: Buffalo Trace Prairie in Mahomet
  • Getaway for a Day: Matthiessen State Park
  • Best Kept Secret: Forest Glen Preserve
  • Hiking the Sangamon River Corridor Reserve in Monticello with your Family
  • What to Do at Kickapoo State Recreation Area
  • What To Do At Turkey Run State Park With Your Family
  • Everything You Need To Know about Visiting Homer Lake Forest Preserve with Your Family
  • What To Do At Moraine View State Recreation Area With Your Family
  • Visiting Lake of the Woods in Mahomet with Children
  • 8 Reasons You’ll Love Visiting Allerton Park with Your Family
  • At Middle Fork River Forest Preserve, Darkness is the Star
  • Parent’s Guide to Busey Woods in Urbana

Filed Under: Community, Featured Guide, Outdoor Fun, Things To Do in CU Tagged With: anita purves nature center, Ashland Park, Boulware Trail, Busey Woods, Carle, champaign, Crestview Park, Dodds Pakr, Greenbest Bikeway, Greenbest Connector Trail, Harold E. Ruppel Bike Path, King Park, leal park, Mabery-Gelvin Botanical Garden, Meadowbrook Park, North Champaign Trail, O'Malley's Alley Trail, Pipeline Trail, Robeson Meadow Trail, Robeson Meadows West, robeson park, Roby Trail, Savoy Recreation Center, Simon Trail, South Ridge Park, summer season, trails, Trunberry Ridge Trail, Ultimate Outdoor Champaign-Urbana, University Park Trail, urbana, walking, walking path

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