Spitler Woods State Natural Area
Exercise Trail & Squirrel Creek Trail
3.5 mi · ▲ 55 ft · 1 hr 12 min
Exercise Trail & Squirrel Creek Trail is a 3.5-mile out-and-back in Spitler Woods State Natural Area near Mount Zion, IL. It is mostly level, with 55 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 6/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Exercise Trail & Squirrel Creek Trail
3.5 mi · ▲ 55 ft · 1 hr 12 min
Elevation 639–688 ft
Out & Back · Spitler Woods State Natural Area
Trailhead: Squirrel Creek Trail · 39.78064, -88.86178
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:42 AM · sunset 6:58 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Squirrel Creek Trail, heading NE.
- 1.5 miTurn left onto Red Oak Ramble Trail, heading NW.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Exercise Trail, heading N.
- 300 ftReach Squirrel Creek Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Squirrel Creek Trail, heading SE.
- 1.5 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.6 mi in (~16 min). Leave by 6:22 PM for the 6:58 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Squirrel Creek Trail Trailhead
- Squirrel Creek Trail 3.2 mi · ▲ 55 ft
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