Illinois · Hiking

Brown Primitive Loop

1.2 mi
loop
12 ft
climb
735 ft
high point
Loop
route
Apr, Jun
best months

Brown Primitive Loop is a short, easy loop in Illinois's Orland Grassland Land and Water Reserve, on land managed by a regional agency. The route is about 1.2 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 12 feet and a loss of 53 feet, so it stays nearly flat from start to finish. The highest point on the loop is 735 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.83 miles in, with a grade of about 2 percent. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 73°F and October highs around 65°F, while July averages about 90°F. Bikes are allowed on this trail, but horses are not. The trip takes about half an hour, and the loop makes an easy addition to a day spent exploring the reserve's network of primitive and paved routes. Tan Primitive Trail is about 0.4 miles away, and Yellow Paved Loop is about 0.6 miles away. Orange Primitive Trail and Purple Primitive Trail are each about 1.2 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Apr, Jun

    Best time to visit Brown Primitive Loop

    Best months: April, June and September–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

      33° / 15°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 18°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      49° / 28°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      62° / 39°

      12 wet

    5. May

      73° / 50°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      84° / 60°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      90° / 64°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      87° / 63°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      80° / 55°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      65° / 43°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      50° / 31°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      38° / 21°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Little Red School Hse, IL, 9.9 mi away at 715 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors