Illinois · Hiking

Blodgett Marsh Trail

Blodgett Marsh TrailPhoto: Joe K Gage, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
9.2 mi
round trip
128 ft
climb
551 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Is Blodgett Marsh Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. It doesn't name Blodgett Marsh Trail, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Blodgett Marsh Trail is an easy, out-and-back hike of about 9.2 miles on the Forest Service land of Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Illinois. The trail sits at roughly 550 feet, with a high point of 551 feet and a low of 523 feet, and the climb stays gentle, with the steepest stretch at about 0.16 miles from the start and a grade of about 2 percent. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Channahon show May highs around 72°F and September highs around 77°F, while July peaks near 85°F and winter highs hover around freezing. Prairie Creek Woods Trail starts just 0.1 mile away, and Route 53 Trail, Group 63 Trail and Henslow Trail are all within about 3.5 miles. The Illinois and Michigan Canal Paddle Route is about 7.8 miles off for those who want to pair a hike with time on the water.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Blodgett Marsh Trail

    Best months: April–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      32° / 17°

      11 wet · 4 snow

    2. Feb

      37° / 20°

      10 wet · 3 snow

    3. Mar

      48° / 30°

      11 wet · 1 snow

    4. Apr

      61° / 40°

      11 wet

    5. May

      72° / 51°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      81° / 60°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      85° / 65°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      83° / 63°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      77° / 56°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      64° / 44°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      50° / 33°

      10 wet · 1 snow

    12. Dec

      37° / 23°

      11 wet · 3 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Channahon Dresden Isl Dam, IL, 6.7 mi away at 505 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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