You don’t have to hike all day to enjoy some spectacular scenery. A pleasant trail in south-central Illinois offers a beautiful chance to connect with nature and the experience is as easy as it is scenic. The Wetland Loop Trail is located in a nature center that’s teeming with wildlife and wildflowers and it’s a trail well worth seeking out. Here’s what’s waiting for you on the Wetland Loop Trail.

The Wetland Loop trail is located in the Ballard Nature Center, a 210-acre natural area in Altamont, Illinois.
Alltrails / Dave Lauchner
The nature center was the dream of Ernest “Ernie” Ballard – the site was originally deeded to the Effingham County Soil & Water Conservation District before it was developed into a nature center. It's now managed by a nonprofit.
Alltrails / Billie Schofield
The facility offers educational experiences and it’s dedicated to helping people connect with nature.
Alltrails / Dave Lauchner

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The center has an accessible observation deck, which offers a vista of the center’s diverse natural wetland habitat. It’s possible to see waterfowl, shorebirds, and basking turtles from the deck.
Ballard Nature Center
The center’s trails travel through restored tallgrass prairie and in the late summer it practically explodes with color! You’ll see coneflowers, compass plants, asters, and more.
Alltrails / Dave Lauchner
The hike is not very taxing, The surface is flat, smooth, and easy. If you do the full loop through the center, you’ll cover about two miles. If you don’t want to walk that far, even a shorter stroll through the center is rewarding.
Alltrails / Dave Lauchner

The Ballard Nature Center’s trails are only for foot traffic. Two trails are wheelchair accessible. Leashed dogs are allowed. Learn more on the center’s website. If you enjoy easy but beautiful hikes, here are five awesome hikes that are all under five miles in length.

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Featured Addresses
Wetland Loop Trail, Altamont, IL 62411, USA