Highlights of the trail include Bald Mountain, Buzzard's Roost, Indigo Creek and the Illinois River Valley.
A Northwest Forest Pass[4] is needed for parking and the required free wilderness permit may be obtained at the trailhead.
Under Travel Management regulations,[5] the Illinois River Trail (from Oak Flat to the old Fantz Ranch) is open to motorcycles with an Oregon ATV[6] permit from September 15 to May 15.
No motorized or mechanized equipment (i.e., mountain bikes) are allowed past Fantz Ranch or in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness.
In July 2022, the trail was rehabilitated and reopened by the Siskiyou Mountain Club[7] whose summer interns removed fallen trees and brush that had rendered it nearly impassable for the preceding 20 years.