Level: Intermediate
Length: 14 mi (22.5 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Loop
Elevation: +449/309 ft
Total: 156 riders
Mountain Biking Kickapoo
#3 of 126 mountain bike trails in Illinois
#266 in the world
The mountain bike trails located in the Kickapoo State Recreation Area traverse over 1,000 acres. A variety of topographical features are available for the rider to experience. You'll see intense climbing sections and blazing fast descents among other challenges. But there is something for everyone on this system along its sixteen named and numbered trails. Trails are primarily named with a numbering system, although several have conventional names. And not all numbered trails connect together in numerical order. Here is the naming convention:
- Trails: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
- Trails: 1a, 1b
- Trails: Haul Road, Heaven & Hell, Session
- Trails: Kids Loop, Playground Loop
The main trailhead is located at the intersection of Kickapoo Park Road and 1200 East Road (40.152197, -87.716228). Several amenities are available at this paved parking area. These include a shelter with tables and fire pit, trail map, trash can and a pit toilet. There are usually plenty of locals here who can answer your trail questions.
One of the best features of these trails is that they are one-way. With the exception of Trail 1, Haul Road and Session, flow direction is more or less counter-clockwise. This reduces the potential for conflict and increases safety while riding. Trail posts, located at the head of each trail, identify the number or name and ride direction.
The trails located at the northern end of the system tend to have more advanced features. You'll find Trails 7, 8, 10, Heaven & Hell, and Playground Loop contain some of the most difficult features to conquer. Bailouts and connection trails are available. Use these to bypass trails or change the riding order of trails. Each visit can be a new experience by switching your sequence of trails.
Families with young riders may want to check out the Kids Loop. Located at the main trailhead, this 500-foot trail is primarily flat, offering a great place for push bikes and younger riders.
An outdoor outfitter is available in Kickapoo near Clear Lake and the western park entrance. If you are in need of a bike for the day, Kickapoo Adventures has mountain bikes for day or half-day rentals. Stop by and check out their inventory.
For interactive maps, photos, and detailed trail descriptions, check out the Danville City GIS application.
First added by Iknowyou ForSure on Mar 2, 2004. Last updated Apr 9, 2021. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: no
- Night riding: yes
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: yes
- Fat bike grooming: yes
- E-bikes allowed: no
- Fee required: no
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
From I-74 get off at Oakwood exit 207 and head north. Take first right (about one mile to turn). Go through kickapoo, trailhead will be on left side of road about 1 mile out of the park.
System trails (14)
- Heaven & Hell
- Playground Loop
- Session Trail
- Trail 1
- Trail 10
- Trail 1a
- Trail 2
- Trail 3
- Trail 4
- Trail 5
- Trail 6
- Trail 7
- Trail 8
- Trail 9
Featured in
These trails are a hidden gem deep in the Illinois flatlands. Good use of ravines around a river valley, plus thoughtful trail layout and plenty of trail micro-features made this a lot more interesting than I was expecting. There are no major climbs, of course, but quite a few are punchy and technical enough. I got 1100 feet of climbing in 12 miles. Intermediate+ riders should be sure to do the Heaven and Hell loop. The trailhead is small but very well kept. The trails are extremely well maintained and very clearly marked.
| Thank
| ThankAmazing trail system that keeps getting better every year that I get a chance to stop in. The new addition is challenging and fun. You'll forget you're in central Illinois!
| Thank
| ThankGreat singletrack with a variety of challenges for all skill levels. Trails are rough and rooty, more of an XC variety. The descents are technical and the ascents are short but intense. Well-maintained by an amazing group of volunteers and easily worth the trip. This is my home trail system and I ride it as much as I can!
| ThankSimply the best riding in Illinois!
| ThankLocated just 30 minutes east of Champaign-Urbana and a mere 10 minutes west of Danville, the Kickapoo Mountain Bike Trails and KMBC were established in 1993.
You'll find 17 miles of singletrack bike trail at Kickapoo (all of which is unidirectional) with an additional 5 miles of gravel/dirt road. The trails have signage and offer a variety of challenges for every level of rider. Roots, rocks, off-camber trail, climbs, descents, flow, creek-crossings, gorgeous views overlooking the lakes and the "National Wild and Scenic" Middle Fork River -- Kickapoo has it all. These features and a dedicated force of KMBC volunteers make these trails some of the best in the Midwest.
| ThankStopped in after DuPont, Pisgah and Brown County on my way west and what a nice surprise! Not quite in their league but much better than a poke in the eye with a sharp spoke. Well maintained and well marked. Take the trails 1 through 9 for a nice woodsy, rolling 10 mile workout. I rode from the campground which is about 2 miles away.
| ThankThese trails really are a lot of fun. It was my second time. They haven't changed much in three years. Fast and flowy and a lot of fun. I did notice they've added quite a few small jobs which up the fun factor. Great selection of spiderwebs too! Yay
| ThankTrails are great for people looking for a fun time to just get away from the city. Trails are easy to follow and trail maps are posted at two spots along the trails. Trails are labeled so you always know what trail you are on. Very well taken care of, and great for all levels of riders. GET OUT THERE!
| ThankGreat trail system off Interstate-74 (i-74). Fast & flowy with some good features. Well marked/mapped trail. One direction. Intermediate.
| ThankHands down the best trail in IL. The volunteer work that has went into Kickapoo over the last 25 years is awe inspiring. It's hard to imagine that these trails are mostly hand cut. They flow well and they are built to withstand another 25 years of use. Get some rides in here, you won't regret it.
| ThankFantastic mix of what makes riding the Midwest so much fun: roots, rocks, climbs, decents, and a good mix for all skill levels. Trails are easily navigated and marked. Great system.
| ThankKickapoo is old school designed singletrack that has a bunch of roots on the trails. The highlights are heaven and hell and trails 2 8 and 9 in my opinion. It is best ridden with a full suspension bike because of how rough the trails are. It isn't a very physically demanding system unless you are riding at "race pace". Overall compared to Griffin Bike Park and Fay Pickering Memorial Trails it is just ok. It is a good system but as an intermediate rider I found it less than challenging. The log overs, log jumps, and root jumps are fun though?
| ThankJust an amazing trail system. Relentless saw tooth elevation profile so bring your legs and your smile:D the trail clearly has a dedicated group working it, though currently has its share of sticks, it's in great shape. Lots and lots of fun.
| ThankRoute 1-5 and the Play Ground : I took my wife and 10 yr old daughter up here and had a a blast. For an experienced rider you can rip through the forest and have a great workout pounding up hills. The downhill portion especially the half pipe its more like a series of S turns down hill to a steep incline with speed you almost triple wall ride and a big rewarded drop at the end. For the beginners there is nothing to difficult at all the steep declines just hold on and get into gear to pedal the next hill going up. The play ground I was hoping to be a little bigger like BMX style but it's just a series of moderate drops and jumps which allowed everyone to go fast and hit some jumps. Great little training loop to repeat and get better at MTB skills. We will be doing the back half today!
| ThankI simply was not setup for this track. That's my fault. I'm riding hybrid tires because I travel so much, I'm often on hard track, asphalt, sawdust. You need knob vies here period. It rained last night and there are some drops, slopes that will send you 100 feet down to a stream, bad news for someone not ready to ride greasy. One of the pro home track riders front end slip into the tree right in front of me and I caught it on my gopro. All I did was step aside for the faster riders and he took his eyes off me for 1 second and ate it good.
| ThankGreat trail to ride with a mix of levels. From an easy access Road to s ride into and out of a gulch. Lots a very creative man-made obstacles.
| ThankA great ride through the woods with plenty of roots, dips, log piles, and jumps to go with some great views. I followed the trails in numerical order and had no trouble getting back to the trailhead. Drainages are amazingly steep given the flat nature of most of the surrounding land. Very well laid out and armored in most of the low, wet areas.
| ThankGreat trail system and well worth the hour drive! Best trail I have ridden in Illinois and did a DINO race here a few years ago that was really tough! Love this place and can't wait to go back! They put a lot of effort into this place!
| Thank