Illinois Trails

Hiking Gear

Chicago’s Top 6 Dayhikes

The best local trails, as selected by BACKPACKER Local scout Erica Zazo. Hot dogs. Lake Michigan. Da Bears. And excellent trails? Absolutely: The Windy City’s greater stomping grounds offer river-sculpted canyons, quiet hardwood forests, glacially molded ridges, and plentiful waterfalls within easy dayhiking distance. Sample the best of the Midwest on these favorites: Many are…

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Outdoors News

New Senate Bill Would Protect Existing National Monuments

The bill is a response to the White House’s rollback of protections for Utah public lands. The Trump administration plans a drastic reduction of Bears Ears National Monument.Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) and Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) joined 16 other democratic senators this week to introduce a bill that would legally codify the boundaries of more than…

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