The Lincoln Trail Hike    Trail Map & Rules

In 1926 R. Allan Stephens, a former Scout Commissioner of Springfield, Illinois, originated the idea of a Lincoln Trail Hike. At that time, there were no official Boy Scout trails in the United States. Mr. Stephens believed that the Boy Scouts would acquire a greater appreciation of the obstacles Abraham Lincoln overcame in his rise to the presidency if they also walked the same 20 mile route followed by Lincoln from New Salem to Springfield.

After traveling about like a "piece of floating driftwood",  Lincoln took up residence at New Salem in July of 1831. For the first time in his life, he was living by himself. At the age of 22, he began his career as a struggling store clerk and mill hand. When he left New Salem on April 15, 1837 to become the law partner of John Todd Stuart in Springfield, the new capital city for Illinois, Lincoln had learned many things and worked at various jobs, as well as being a successful scholar. True, he still had some rough edges, but he had been a captain in the Black Hawk War, a postmaster, store owner, surveyor, state legislator and lawyer.

It was at New Salem that he completed his self-taught education by mastering grammar, literature, mathematics, surveying and law. Because law books were not available in New Salem, Stuart loaned his own to Lincoln. To save the stagecoach fare , which he could ill afford, Lincoln either had to walk into Springfield and back, or borrow a horse. Sometimes he rode, but many times he hiked both ways in a single day.

Lincoln's outstanding example of perseverance caused Mr. Stephens to propose that Boy Scouts be encouraged to walk in Lincoln's steps from New Salem to Springfield and that an award be made to those who successfully completed the trail. A route and rules were formulated by the Abraham Lincoln Council, and a medal was designed. Arthur Bennet was the first Scout to earn a Lincoln Trail Hike medal when he finished the course on November 6 1926. That same day, three other Springfield Scouts also walked the trail. Since that day over 75,000 youth from throughout the United States have retraced Lincoln's long strides over the Illinois prairie.

The 20-mile route is located as closely as possible to the roadways of Lincoln's New Salem days. This routing keeps hikers on secondary roads, byways and trails. The trail is scenic and historically correct.

The Lincoln Trail Medal;
Can be purchased only at the end of the Lincoln Trail. ($5.00 ea.)

The Lincoln Trail First Year Patch;
Can be purchased only at the end of the Lincoln Trail. ($5.00 ea.)

 Lincoln Trail Repeat Hike II;
Can be purchased only at the end of the Lincoln Trail. ($5.00 ea.)

Lincoln Trail Repeat Hike III;
Can be purchased only at the end of the Lincoln Trail. ($5.00 ea.)

Lincoln Trail Repeat Hike IV;
Can be purchased only at the end of the Lincoln Trail. ($5.00 ea.)

Miniature "Walking Lincoln" cluster pins

Add one to commemorate each additional hike of the Lincoln Trail ($5.00 ea.)

"I survived the Lincoln Trail" T-Shirts

Can be purchased only at the end of the Lincoln Trail. LIMITED SUPPLY! ($6.00/8.00)

Patches are available at the end of Lincoln Trail only on Saturday during Pilgrimage weekend. 

At all other times once hike has been completed, medals & patches can be purchased at the Abraham Lincoln Council office. 

Procedures for Hiking the Lincoln Trail

Lincoln Trail Guidelines  

• The Lincoln Trail is over 20 miles long. Inclement weather can make an already challenging trail very difficult.

•  Make sure your hikers are capable & prepared. Children under 11 years old should not attempt this hike.

• Lincoln Trail Committee expects all units to provide at least two adult leaders for each group making the hike.

• All units must stay together as a group when hiking. Walk at a pace the whole group can walk. If you have faster or slower walkers in a group , separate the group and provide extra adult leaders for that group.

• All adult leaders must register at the beginning of the trail showing time started and number of hikers in their group.

• All adult leaders must check in at the different stations along the way. Scouts without adult supervision will not be allowed to continue.

• Groups must walk on the proper side of the road to allow traffic to pass safely. Be alert at all times.

• Please be respectful of private property, and leave animals along the trail alone.

• When picking up trash, do not pick up any hazardous materials or sharp objects.

• Unit support vehicles are discouraged, Scouts are asked to carry snacks and a lunch in a day pack. There will be water along the way at the check-in stations. Also the council will have emergency vehicles patrolling the route, so assistance will be available.

• Bicycles, roller blades, etc. are not allowed on the trail during this weekend.

• All units must provide their own transportation back to where they are camping.

• Abraham Lincoln Council personnel will be monitoring the trail to insure the safety requirements are being followed. Patches may not be awarded to hikers who do not follow the guidelines.

• All of these guidelines have been developed to make sure all Scouts and Adult Scouters who are hiking the Lincoln Trail have a safe and enjoyable time. Please follow the guidelines...be a good Scout.  

• The Lincoln Trail is open year-round, but due to the high number of hikers on Pilgrimage week end, Abraham Lincoln Council has made additional provisions as referred to above. At all other times there is no one at the check in point, or any of the points along the trail. There also is no water, or restroom facilities along the trail, except on Pilgrimage Saturday. Patches and medals may be obtained at the Abraham Lincoln Council office throughout the year, but may be purchased at the end of the trail (Stuart Park) on Pilgrimage Saturday.