River to River Trail

Route overview

A multi-stage route through Southern Illinois, with highlights including Shawnee National Forest, sandstone bluffs, Ohio River, Mississippi River.

River to River Trail gives hikers a structured way to experience Southern Illinois over several days. The route is best approached as a staged hike, with planning attention on permits, accommodation, weather, navigation and daily distance. For BuddieHikes, it is a strong candidate because the trail is long enough or remote enough to benefit from a hiking partner, while still being understandable as a clear route objective.

River to River Trail is a 260 km hiking route through Southern Illinois, suited to hikers who want Midwestern forest and sandstone hiking terrain and a clear multi-day objective.

Trail facts

Country

United States

Region

Southern Illinois

Distance

260 km

Typical duration

10–14 days

Difficulty

Moderate

Elevation gain

Not specified

Best season

March to May or September to November

Trail type

Long-distance trail

Access and logistics

Permits and access

Check current permit, quota, park-entry or guided-access rules with the official source before planning this route.

Bookings

Book accommodation, huts, campsites or required permits ahead in peak season.

Safety context

Forest navigation, variable surfaces, wildlife awareness, water points and long quiet sections require planning.

Highlights

Shawnee National Forest, sandstone bluffs, Ohio River, Mississippi River

Why find a buddy

This route is well suited to finding a hiking buddy because the distance, logistics and multi-day structure are easier and safer to manage with someone who has a similar pace and planning style.

Primary source

Open the primary route source.

Explore and prepare

Discover hikes by intent, read the hiking guides, review hiking safety, prepare a BuddyPack, or browse hiking plans.