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Discover Nearby Trails with the C-U on the Trail Pass

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Hit the trails this summer with your C-U on the Trail Pass

 

This fun (and free) challenge is family-friendly, just what you need for some outdoor fun in Champaign-Urbana

Want to go outside but not sure where your adventure will take you? Experience Champaign-Urbana has put together the perfect adventure for your family in the “C-U on the Trail Pass.” This resource is completely free and includes many of Team Chambanamoms’ favorite spots in nature.

Bruce Hannon Levee Trail, Sangamon River Corridor Reserve

Getting the actual pass is simple. Visit this link on the Experience Champaign-Urbana site and complete the checkout process. Remember, it is completely free and you won’t have to enter any payment information. After that, you can browse the 55 scenic trails included in the challenge and start to make your plan.

C-U on the Trail pass

As an added bonus, you can also sign up with the Champaign County Forest Preserve District to explore 32 trails in our preserves. Complete the requirements for this activity by the end of the year (Dec. 31, 2025) and you can get a free t-shirt. These trails can also be found in the C-U on the Trail Pass list.

Stidham Woods trail
Lake of the Woods, Stidham Trail

For some locations, you’ll see just one hiking trail to complete at that site. For others, you may see six or more, requiring multiple trips out to that destination.

Allerton with redbuds
Allerton Park & Retreat Center: Orange Trail

Some of our basic tips for planning a hike with kids

Sure, you might find it helpful to invest in some gear as a family before taking hiking up as a serious hobby. But to spontaneously head out to the woods (or park) on a day when everyone just needs to spend a little time among the birds? You really don’t need much “gear” to do it.

Walking Path at Porter Park
Porter Family Park Path
  • Make sure everyone is wearing clothes and shoes that can get dirty. This is probably the number one piece of advice we can give for any hike. Long pants and long sleeves are recommended for traipsing through the woods, but that’s your call. Along those lines, pack a change of clothes if you’re concerned about mud.
  • Have a plan. Sort of. Make sure you know what you’re parking near — is it water you want to see, or bird watching among wildflowers? Do a little bit of research, if not online prior to your visit, then when you pull in and look at a map. Nearly every location has a large mounted map near the entrance or parking area.
  • Hand sanitizer. With kids, you’re almost guaranteed to be visiting a restroom of sorts. You’ll want to bring your own hand sanitizer, as some do not have running water to wash hands.
  • Sunscreen, bug spray, band-aids, tweezers (to remove ticks) and more. You decide what you want to pack in your car or your backpack for your adventure. You won’t need much but you certainly can be prepared by packing some or all of these items.
  • Water! Snacks! Picnic lunch! Food and drink are important with kids. Don’t expect access to drinking water. So come prepared, just like you would to go anywhere else.
hiking trails champaign county hidden acres
Hidden Acres, Paw Paw Trail, chambanamoms.com photo

Looking for more as you plan outdoor adventures with your family in Champaign-Urbana?

Check out our tips on the Ultimate Outdoor Adventures in the Champaign-Urbana area. Helpful information as you plan to tackle the C-U on the Trail challenge with a family in tow!

Find the Ultimate Outdoor Adventures near Champaign-Urbana

Find a collection of all of our visits to Champaign County Forest Preserve locations here.

Want to break it down by destination? Here are our top spots for outdoor recreation near Champaign-Urbana: