White Rock Nature Preserve - Valmeyer, Illinois

K O.

This is a nice hiking area. There is a rather steep climb, but once you're at the top, the trails are level and shady. We took the North Ridgetop Trail to the end. The view from there isn't very exciting, just open fields. But the trail is really well-maintained so easy to walk and not have to worry about ticks.

The parking lot is in an odd place. It is along Bluff Road, and you have to walk a little north on the shoulder to get to a gravel road that leads to the trails. So it's a little hike to the hiking!

I couldn't find much of a map online, but there are some at the entrance.

Erica M.

A great trail. Elevates all over the place. In 2022 there is an addition. Take the south (left at Y). It's two miles that is steep and rates difficult.

Kelsey S.

I found good reviews on the White Rock Nature Preserve on AllTrails and decided to hike here with my dad, sister, and our dogs on a windy late-November morning and into the early afternoon. My sister and I frequent Salt Lick Trail, which is only 4 miles from White Rock NP. Combining the two would make for an excellent day trip of hiking.

The first fifth of the trail is uphill and got my heart racing. There's a landing halfway up the incline called Madeline's Rest where you can step into the entrance of an old mine (now closed off) or take a break on one of the several benches. My sister spotted a tiny bat hanging from the ceiling of the overhang.

The trail is an out-and-back in a hill prairie. I've never seen so many signs about staying within the property lines of the trail; but it was easy to do so as the trail is well-maintained, clearly marked, and easy to see the path. There are also stone benches at several spots throughout the trail.

I'm glad we hiked after the leaves fell, as we wouldn't have had the same views of the valley earlier in the season. The trail provides beautiful views throughout the entire length. Just like at Salt Lick, you can hear a train in the valley passing by.

The trail is dog-friendly as long as they are leashed. Our two dogs found an armadillo toward the end of the trail. I've never seen a live one before! At the end of the trail, right before your turn back, there's an even clearer view of the valley and a patch of grass that's flattened with a few deer trails leading to it.

The parking lot is about a quarter mile from the beginning of the trail. There are no bathrooms or water fountains. At the beginning of the trail, there is a sign with trail maps and a place to clean your boots both before and after hiking. The trail itself is 3.3 miles and we gained 713 feet in elevation.

Jordan T.

Great spot for a quiet hike. Great views of the Mississippi River valley. Excellent wildflowers and fauna. The hike to the top is a bit strenuous but, not horrible. Park in the lot and then walk in via the gravel road north of the parking lot. Trailhead will be on your right.

Jesse K.

A nice, short and serene hike on a fall day. Either hiking boots or tennis shoes will do on this trail. This hike begins with a relatively steep and rocky quarter-mile that takes you to Madeline’s Rest where you can step inside a shallow cave and take a rest on one of the rock benches. Beyond the Rest, you have another quarter-mile of fairly steep terrain of the White Mine Trail that takes you to a fork in the pathway where you can choose either the quarter-mile North Ridgetop Trail or the mile long South Ridgetop Trail. Both trails are nice with a splendid overlook at the end of each. Along each trial, there are stone benches in strategic locations that give you rest when needed. Though the hike is nice, this may be the oddest location of any parking lot to trailhead proximity. After parking, you have to walk along the side of Bluff road for a block, then down a private drive for another 1000 feet before you even reach the trailhead. The trail should start at the parking lot, or put in a parking lot nearer the trailhead.

Erin B.

This was a good hike, but short, which is why I gave it only 4 stars. It is pretty much all uphill but once you get to the top elevation, the views are awesome. The whole trail is about 2-2.5 miles if you do the whole thing, from the car and back. You do have to park down the road a little and walk about half a mile total to get to the actual start of the trail. I would go again in warmer weather for sure.

Aaron B. (.

A little tricky to get to the entrance. HINT: just read the sign at the tiny parking lot. Pretty good haul up the hillside once you get to it, which it also pretty steep coming back down.
Once you’re up on the bluff, it’s realistically easy sailing. You can get in about 2.5 miles total if you also do the short scenic overlook.

Charles B. (.

Beautiful trail. The first stretch up the trail is moderately difficult with an uphill climb, but the rest of it is a straight stretch and the trails are well kept. An excellent choice for beginners.