Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge has eight designated hiking trails through different habitats.
This is a great trail for groups and birders. This trail starts near the Visitor Center and will take you along the lake, past a prairie and through a hardwood forest, offering a variety of birding habitats, making this the best birding trail on the refuge. Along the route are two areas with benches meant for groups to gather and learn.
Length: An easy to moderate 0.7 mile loop on a dirt trail. Some sections get extra muddy following a rain.
Harmony trail / Chamnesstown School trail
This trail is marked by an A-frame structure near its entrance and will take you through a variety of habitats from pine plantations to wetlands to hardwood forests. There is a photo blind overlooking a wetland area. There are excellent opportunities for photography of wildlife including birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
Length: An easy 0.7 mile loop on a compact dirt path.
This is an easy partially paved trail that is used periodically for educational programs. This trail includes two fishing piers on the Visitors Pond. When not being utilized for fishing, these piers provide an excellent opportunity for waterfowl viewing. This walk also offers a pleasant atmosphere for morning bird walks.
Length: An easy 0.7 mile loop. Half the trail is paved; the other half is compact dirt.
Wild Turkey Trail (North Parking Area) (South Parking Area)
This young forest trail will take you through a variety of habitats from pine plantations to hardwood forests and is generally mowed during the summer months. The trail is located along several ridgetops which makes it excellent for wildlife viewing.
A moderate 1.7 mile walk one way. Most of the trail is a dirt road that has been closed to vehicle traffic, while the remainder is a narrow dirt path.
This trail winds through a wide variety of habitats and some of the most spectacular scenery on the refuge. There are intermittent waterfalls, sandstone cliffs, and some steep, rocky sections of the trail that may make hiking difficult at times, but very worthwhile. It is graced with over 60 varieties of wildflowers such as bluebells, Dutchman’s breeches and celandine poppy.
Length: A moderately difficult 2.2 mile loop on a dirt path with a shorter 0.25 mile loop available.
The beautiful River to River trail spans over 160 miles of southern Illinois with a three mile section through the refuge. This is the only trail located on the refuge that is open seasonally to horseback riding. Sections of the River to River trail located on the refuge run through the scenic wilderness area wilderness area
Wilderness areas are places untamed by humans. The Wilderness Act of 1964 allows Congress to designate wilderness areas for protection to ensure that America's pristine wild lands will not disappear. Wilderness areas can be part of national wildlife refuges, national parks, national forests or public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
Learn more about wilderness area . Horseback riding is open from May 1 – October 31. Visit the River to River Trail Association website for more information about the whole 160 miles and for free maps of the trail.
Length: A moderately difficult walk. Three miles of the trail runs through the refuge. Most of the trail is dirt with some portions graveled.
This trail offers a peaceful walk to connect with the River to River trail within the wilderness area.
Length: An easy 0.8 mile walk one way on a dirt path.
UPDATE: Many trees were blown down during a storm. Refuge staff is aware and working to clear the trail. Consider this trail as a moderate to difficult until the downed trees are removed.
This trail follows an old, dilapidated road that is perfect for the novice hiker wanting to do some wildlife viewing. It is in a hardwood forest and provides scenic views of the beautiful Devils Kitchen Lake. The eastern part of the trail is bordered by Crab Orchard National Wilderness Area.
Length: A moderately difficult 1.4 mile loop on a paved, dilapidated road. Use caution as the pavement is degraded in some areas.
UPDATE: Many trees were blown down during a storm. Refuge staff is aware and working to clear the trail. Consider this trail as a moderate to difficult until the downed trees are removed.
Please note, Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is a fee use area. Learn more about fees at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge.