Easy hikes and walks around Bethalto

Edwardsville is a historic city in Illinois. It was first settled in 1805 by Thomas Kirkpatrick. There are 39 buildings in the city that are listed as historic buildings and are mostly located in the downtown area.

The MCT Quercus Grove Trail is a great, almost 20 mile long trail, that runs from Edwardsville to Staunton. The trail is a mix of paved and crushed limestone. This section runs through a nice treeline section of Edwardsville.

The MCT Confluence Trail is a beautiful 20.5 mile long trail. The trail mostly follows the Mississippi River. The trail is paved and mostly flat, so it is not a challenging trail. This section gives you great views of the river as you enter Alton.

Riverfront Park is a great park on the banks of the Mississippi River in Alton. There is a paved biking and hiking trail that runs through the park. The park also has a large amphitheater, picnic area and restrooms.

Hoppe Park is a great 10-acre green space. It is the second-largest community park in Edwardsville. The park has a playground, picnic area and nature trail.

The Watershed Nature Center is a 46-acre nature preserve. It is made up of wetlands, tall grass prairie, and upland forests. There is a large pond in the center of the park.