There is a parking lot and a playground at the base of this high point, but the signage can be confusing. It’s on a road that goes around a secluded lake, and there are signs that say Timm’s hill trail and look like a trailhead. Keep going until you find the parking lot and then it’s a short walk to the observation tower. There are toilets there.
This is the Illinois high point and it is on private property. The owners only allow hikers the first weekend of every month in the summer. You have to park at the end of a farm lane and walk up. I think it’s around 3 miles round trip. Bring bug spray, the deer flies are hungry!
We were going to stop for a picnic but it’s closed for Covid. Make sure you check before you drive out there!
The tent sites are quite spacious and shaded. There are porta potties in the campsite areas and one shower house up the hill. The showers are coin operated and clean. There’s a restaurant on site that was usually pretty busy. For cyclists, it’s attached to the state trail which is paved and connects to Duluth. The bugs were not bad but there was some traffic noise and a train whistle both nights.
Moderately flat trail with lots of boulders. Round trip it’s between 6-7 miles, and I think it generally takes people around 3 hours total. There’s a pit toilet at the trailhead if you need it!
This is a must-stop for high pointers, but it is difficult to find and there is no cell reception. I advise taking a paper map! I think the road to the top is an old logging road, so it is uneven in places and there are many side roads. Be sure to follow the blue markings. RVs are not recommended! Once you’re there it’s a nice quite spot with a pretty view! And the bugs aren’t so bad at the top.