Devils Backbone

At 899 feet, Devils Backbone is a summit in Illinois. The Devils Backbone Trail covers 1.0 miles (loop) with about 66 feet of elevation gain — a gradual walk with modest climbing.

The Route

Along the way the route passes a rest area (Valley View Picnic Area) near mile 0 — useful checkpoints for judging your pace.

Getting There

The trailhead is at 41.98155, -89.36235 (tap for driving directions). Arrive early on weekends — trailhead lots at popular peaks fill quickly, and cell service is often unreliable once you leave the highway.

When to Go

Spring through fall is the main season. Conditions change fast in the shoulder months — check a point forecast for the summit, not the nearest town, before you commit.

Know Before You Go

The Easy rating comes from the National Park Service difficulty formula, which weighs total distance against elevation gain. Most hikers should budget about 0.5 hours of moving time; add margin for breaks, photos and the descent. Download the GPX track from this page before you go — cell coverage is unreliable in the mountains and a saved route works offline in any GPS app. Conditions change: verify current access, closures and weather with the official land manager before you go. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

Looking to link objectives or plan a weekend? Nearby summits include Coffman Bluff, Starved Rock and Mount Sumner — each has its own guide on this site.