3 Horseshoe Lake State Park: Walkers Island Trail
This easy and flat hike forms a loop around the perimeter of Walkers Island. Just minutes from St. Louis, Walkers Island provides rich habitat for birds and other wildlife.
Distance: 3.7-mile loop
Approximate hiking time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy; flat terrain
Best season: Year-round
Park hours: Sunrise to 10 p.m.
Other trail users: None
Canine compatibility: Leashed dogs permitted
Fees and permits: None
Maps: USGS Monks Mound; interpretive trail map available at the park office
Trail contacts: Horseshoe Lake State Park, 3321 Hwy. 111, Granite City IL 62040; (618) 931-0270
Special considerations: Sections of the trail may be flooded following periods of rainfall. Hunting is permitted in the area during various seasons. Contact the park office for current trail conditions and seasonal closures.
Finding the trailhead: From St. Louis take I-55 North/I-70 East/US 40 East toward Illinois. After 6.7 miles, take exit 6 and turn left onto IL 111. Continue for 3.1 miles to the park entrance on the left. From the park entrance, follow the main road past the park office on the left and cross the causeway. At 0.8 mile from the entrance, reach the parking area and picnic shelter. The trail is located across the road (north) from the picnic shelter and parking area. GPS: N38 41.709 / W90 4.480
The Hike
Despite being minutes from downtown St. Louis, Horseshoe Lake State Park feels far removed from city life. The park itself offers many recreational opportunities, including camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, and bird watching. Located in a low floodplain, the park provides perfect habitat for many species of wildlife. A birding checklist is available at the park office and will clue hikers in on which birds they can expect to see on Walkers Island. Restrooms and water are available at the park office and at the campground.
The trail begins just north of the trailhead parking area. Follow the slightly worn path through the grass as it heads north toward the shore of Horseshoe Lake. The trailhead is marked with a sign indicating the start of the hiking trail. The obvious trail continues northeast following the shoreline. As you hike through this wooded section of the trail, you will notice many species of trees, including hackberry, which provides a valuable source of food for birds and wildlife.
After hiking 0.6 mile, come to an open area; the trail turns sharply to the left. This is a great place to watch for wood ducks and other diving ducks that prefer the open water.
The trail continues south, passing through old farm fields and the Hardwood Pond area at 1.3 miles. Both areas provide great habitat for wildlife. Look for white-tailed deer, coyote, opossum, red fox, box turtle, and beaver. As you reach the southern end of the island, the trail curves to the left (east), passing the campground (2.5 miles) and returns to the trailhead parking area via the island’s eastern shore.
Miles and Directions
0.0From the trailhead parking area and picnic shelter, walk across the park road and follow the faint trail north as it heads toward the shore of Horseshoe Lake.
0.2Reach the wooden sign that reads HIKING TRAIL START.
0.6The trail turns sharply to the left (south).
1.3Pass through the Hardwood Pond area.
2.5Pass campground on the left (west) and continue north, following the eastern shore of the island.
3.7Return to the trailhead parking area and picnic shelter.