Going for a hike doesn’t have to be an hours-long ordeal. In Illinois, there are plenty of shorter paths that are absolutely worth your time. Located in Apple River near Galena, there is a little trail that’s short and sweet and absolutely charming.

If you want a place where you can walk around without getting too far from the car, look no further than this park. Scroll on for more details.

Located at Apple River Canyon State Park in Jo Daviess County, the Primrose Nature Trail is a short little hike that is easy to access and fun for everyone.

AllTrails/Eric Qiu

Spanning less than one mile, this scenic path loops through the woods, passing many beautiful scenes along the way. Though there are some stairs, they are easy to use and serve as overlooks into the forest below.

AllTrails/Eric Qiu

Visitors will also see the Apple River and all its natural wonders along this little trail. The river cuts through rock formations that you’d never expect to find in this northernmost region of the state.

AllTrails/J.J. Markus

This .8-mile trail is great for bird-watching, dog-walking, and quick runs. In total, Apple River Canyon State Park spans nearly 2,000 acres and has several other trails that let you explore it all.

AllTrails/Eric Qiu

You can enjoy this trail anytime of year as well as just about anytime of day. Like most state parks, it is open from dawn until dusk

AllTrails/Eric Qiu

Apple River Canyon State Park and Primrose Nature Trail are located at 8763 E Canyon Rd., Apple River IL 61001.

AllTrails/Eric Qiu

AllTrails/J.J. Markus

For more hiking adventures that are worth your time, check out these nine trails in Illinois that each lead to something cool.

If you’ve ever hiked this little trail, we’d love to hear from you. Please share your experiences and photos with us below in the comments or join our Illinois Nature Lover’s Group on Facebook and share them with us and our fellow Illinoisans.

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