Explore Beyond PCT! Discover the Top 5 Thru-Hikes that Highlight the Majesty of Midwest
For those seeking a change from the crowded and expensive coastal thru-hikes, the Midwest offers a selection of lesser-known trails that provide natural beauty, physical challenge, and a more manageable logistical and financial experience. Here are three trails worth considering:
Centennial Trail (South Dakota)
Stretching 123 miles through the Black Hills, the Centennial Trail is a challenging yet rewarding thru-hike. The trail showcases diverse terrain, from prairies to rugged peaks, including Black Elk Peak, the Midwest's highest point. Highlights include Wind Cave National Park with its free-roaming bison herd and striking granite spires in the Black Elk Wilderness.
Camping options along the Centennial Trail vary, with free dispersed camping allowed in certain areas, designated free sites, and some campgrounds charging fees. Free backcountry permits are required for the Wind Cave National Park sections. Hikers should be aware of hunting seasons and take necessary precautions.
Ice Age National Scenic Trail (Wisconsin)
Though popular, the Ice Age Trail is less congested than its coastal counterparts and traverses Wisconsin’s glacial landscapes, offering opportunities for solitude and physical challenge. The trail takes backpackers to many of Wisconsin's state parks, including Brunet Island, Potawatomi, and Devil's Lake. Camping is often dispersed, with some established campgrounds only turning on drinking water during the summer.
Ozark Trail (Missouri)
Based in Missouri, the Ozark Trail is still under development but offers a 230-mile long stretch for hikers. The trail passes through scenic areas like Mark Twain National Forest, Taum Sauk State Park, and Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park. Parts of the trail from Current River to the Eleven Point River may be closed in the spring due to turkey hunting season. Free dispersed camping is allowed along the trail, with certain distance requirements from developed sites and water sources.
Additional Midwest Gems
For those seeking shorter hikes, state parks like Lake Shetek State Park (Minnesota) with lakeside hiking and camping, and Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park (Minnesota) offering forest trails and underground cave exploration are worth a visit.
Other Notable Thru-Hikes
The Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota is a 300-mile hike starting in Duluth and ending before the Canadian border. Known for its stunning autumn foliage, particularly the colors of aspen, maple, and birch trees, the trail passes through several small towns, making it easy for hikers to resupply and enjoy home-cooked meals.
The River to River Trail in Southern Illinois is a 160-mile hike that takes hikers through the Garden of the Gods Recreation Area, Jackson Falls, Pounds Hollow, and Bald Knob Wilderness. The trail also passes through the towns of Eddyville and Makanda, making them convenient for resupplying.
A new long-distance trail, the Northern Colorado Trail, is being established in Colorado for hikers looking for a new adventure this summer.
In the Ice Age Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail's greatest hurdle is the difficulty in obtaining a permit and the high cost of completion. The Centennial Trail, on the other hand, stands out as a challenging, scenic Midwest thru-hike with manageable logistics and costs, while the Ice Age Trail offers a longer, diverse route with freedom for dispersed camping. Both trails avoid the permit hassle and crowded conditions typical of popular coastal long trails.
- The Centennial Trail in South Dakota offers a challenging yet rewarding hiking experience, featuring diverse terrain and camping options, including free dispersed camping and designated free sites.
- The Ozark Trail in Missouri is still under development but offers a scenic 230-mile stretch, passing through several scenic areas like Mark Twain National Forest and Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park.
- For shorter hikes, Lake Shetek State Park in Minnesota offers lakeside hiking and camping, and Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park offers forest trails and underground cave exploration.
- The Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota is a 300-mile hike, known for its stunning autumn foliage and passing through several small towns, making it easy for hikers to resupply and enjoy home-cooked meals.
