Willow Creek Trail
7.6 mi · ▲ 195 ft · 2 hr 38 min
Willow Creek Trail is a 7.6-mile out-and-back in Rock Cut State Park near Machesney Park, IL. It is mostly level, with 195 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 14/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Willow Creek Trail
7.6 mi · ▲ 195 ft · 2 hr 38 min
Elevation 739–890 ft
Out & Back · Rock Cut State Park
Trailhead: Willow Creek Trail · 42.35500, -89.02761
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:42 AM · sunset 6:59 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Willow Creek Trail, heading E.
- 1.6 miSharp left, heading NW.
- 250 ftSharp right, heading NE.
- 0.9 miTurn right, heading NE.
- 0.3 miTurn right, heading NE.
- 0.5 miTurn right, heading N.
- 0.5 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
- 0.5 miTurn left, heading W.
- 0.5 miTurn left, heading W.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 0.9 miSharp left, heading W.
- 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 1.7 mi in (~43 min). Leave by 5:56 PM for the 6:59 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:56 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Willow Creek Trail Trailhead
- Perryville Path 14 mi · ▲ 296 ft
- Pierce Lake & Willow Creek Trail 8.1 mi · ▲ 249 ft
- Willow Creek Trail 5.3 mi · ▲ 169 ft
- Willow Creek Trail 3.9 mi · ▲ 115 ft
- Willow Creek Trail 2.7 mi · ▲ 27 ft
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Hikes near Machesney Park, Illinois