On Illinois River from Lone Point Shelter off IL 71 in Starved Rock State Park to Eagle Cliff Overlook/Starved Rock Lock & Dam. Lots of birds to see, along with beautiful sandstone bluffs.

From Pirates Cay access in Norway, IL to Fox River Park in Ottawa, IL. Both free, public access points. Have to get out & go around the dam in Dayton. We weren't sure exactly where to put back in at Dayton dam, so went to far and had to turn back, which added time to our trip. Turn left just past the dam, and you'll see Portage signs to follow to get back on.

Bee Tree Park is located on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. The scenery is a mix of mature woodlands open areas and charming fishing lake. The park is known for its display of wildflowers in the spring. This route combines sections of a few different trails in the park making a nice loop.

Starved Rock State Park is located on the south side of the Illinois River and offers scenic sandstone canyons for exploration and excellent views of the river from high bluffs. The west section of the park explores multiple sections of canyon and leads to multiple overlook spots. Starting from the visitor center multiple trails can be used to customize a hike of a longer or shorter distance if desired. The trails are very popular, especially during peak season so visiting during the week and off-season may provide a little more solitude. There are sections of trail along exposed cliffs so extra caution is advised.

Hiking along the trails in Matthiessen State Park, hikers will enjoy beautiful scenery as they travel through and above a scenic sandstone canyon that offers lots of solitude and shade. There is a creek running along much of the hike that creates some nice pools and dramatic waterfalls. Some stream crossings may be required, especially to get good views of the waterfalls. There is also Lake Matthiessen along the northern end of the area that makes for a nice place to stop and visit. The state park is less-visited than Starved Rock State Park just a few miles away making it a nice option for hikers looking to avoid the crowds. The state park offers picnic areas and restrooms.

Starved Rock State Park is located on the south side of the Illinois River and offers scenic sandstone canyons for exploration and excellent views of the river from high bluffs. The east section of the park explores multiple out-and-back canyons and follows the cliffs on the river to multiple overlook spots. There are multiple trails and parking lots to access the trails allowing hikers to customize a hike of a longer or shorter distance if desired. The trails are very popular, especially during peak season so visiting during the week and off-season may provide a little more solitude. There are sections of trail along exposed cliffs so extra caution is advised.

This section of the North Vermilion River is the most popular for whitewater paddlers as it offers the same great scenery as the other sections of the North Vermilion but a lot more exciting whitewater for experienced paddlers. The river offers lots of diverse scenery including impressive cliffs, interesting rock formations, a side canyon up Matthiessen State Park, and lots of dense wooded terrain. The river offers multiple class II-III rapids, boulder fields, and a dam that requires portaging so the run should only be attempted by qualified paddlers. The safety of running the river is dependent on current water levels so check the gauge at the Lowell Bridge, as levels around 2 are best and anything over 4 is questionable. The take-out and put-in spots for this section of the river can also be a little tricky and strenuous so be prepared for a little challenge at the beginning and the end.

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is a large natural area that offers three manmade lakes and lots of hiking trails for exploring the area. The Rocky Bluff Trail is located on the eastern side of Devils Kitchen Lake and travels through dense woodlands and along the shores of the lake where abundant wildlife and great views of the lake can be seen. There is also a scenic waterfall located along the route. The trail can be muddy with lots of debris and tree roots along sections of the path so be cautious and pay attention when hiking.

The Round Bluff Nature Preserve is located in Ferne Clyffe State Park and offers a loop trail that leads through the natural area that offers interesting rock formations, abundant wildlife, and diverse flora and fauna all year long. The protected area only allows hiking on designated trails and all plants and animals are protected within the preserve. The state park also offers picnic areas, campsites, and lots of other hiking trails outside the boundaries of the nature preserve.

Located in the Mississippi River valley, the Little Grand Canyon is a unique and scenic destination where visitors will enjoy hiking through deep canyons and lush ravines that are habitats to abundant wildlife and interesting flora and fauna. The hike is steep along sections including a stairway of sandstone steps that can be slippery. The trail also passes along some high cliffs above sheer canyon walls that provide some impressive views down below but also require some careful footing.