Great River Road

This scenic drive follows the flow of the mighty Mississippi River as it curves along the western edge of Illinois and meanders for more than 550 miles, traveling through charming small towns and offering beautiful river and woodland views along the way.

CITY: Fulton

Geneseo Campground

Enjoy the Hennepin Canal recreational trail through our rentals: canoe, kayak and boat rentals. Also try pedal carts or pull out your fishing pole, bike or sneakers and explore nature.

CITY: Geneseo

Adventure Quest of the Quad Cities

Adventure Quest of the Quad Cities is the perfect for fun-filled outdoor adventures. This 54-acre facility is located just off 1-80 & I-88 near East Moline IL. Make your reservations today and enjoy zip lines, panning for gems, hay rack rides, and wonderful hiking trails. This facility is also available for parties and corporate team building. An elegantly decorated 8,000 square foot banquet facility with an extensive menu is available. The facility also offers interactive games, inflatables, dunk tanks, water slides, laser tag, and more. Check out these annual fall events that include Pumpkin Festival the last weekend in September and the QC Haunted Forest every Friday & Saturday in October. Call (309) 523-3619 for reservations or more information.

CITY: Port Byron

Long's Garden

Tour the walk-through gardens and browse the nursery selling 170 different ornamental grasses, trees and shrubs.

CITY: Fulton

Grand Illinois Trail

The Grand Illinois Trail (GIT) is a 535-mile loop trail in northern Illinois. It goes from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi along the northern border of Illinois and then loops back across the state along the Illinois River and the Hennepin Canal. 200 miles of the route is on paved township and county roads while the rest is on limestone trails or paths. Hennepin Canal Communities - Annawan, Atkinson, Geneseo and Colona

CITY: Atkinson

Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park

Good old fashioned family fun is in store - a peaceful, relaxing day of picnicking, hiking, biking and fishing. 104.5-mile linear park spanning through the communities of Annawan, Atkinson, Geneseo and Colona in Henry County. In wintertime experience the longest snowmobile trail in the state -- 91 miles on the tow path. You can use the ice at your own risk, but pay heed to the locks, bridges and culverts where the ice likely is thinner than the rest of the canal. Bring your blades, skating along the canal is free! Keep in mind the rule is there must be 4" of snow and 6" of frost on canal for route to be open. Call the Visitor Center for automated message.

CITY: Atkinson

Mississippi River Lodge

Our Mississippi River Lodge is located right on the banks on the Mighty Mississippi River between Savanna and Thomson Illinois and offers awe-inspiring views from every angle. We offer 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, living room with fireplace & big screen TV, deck with grill, a fully stocked kitchen and much more! If you are a river lover, this is the place for you. Fishing, water skiing, tubing, or cruising up the river, it's all here for your enjoyment. Since we are located on Big Slough, off of the main channel of the river, you can have fun without having to deal with a lot of river traffic. Access to the main channel is easy if you want to cruise the river. Only five miles up the river is Lower Sabula Lake which offers a great new sand beach. There is a public boat launch only a quarter mile from the house and a dock is provided to moor your boat at the house. If you do not have a boat, you can fish off the dock or the bank.

CITY: Thomson

Sherwood Forest

During Christmas, Sherwood Forest is adorned with decorations and twinkling lights. Any time of year view a variety of animals, including turkeys, rabbits, peacocks, llamas, and miniature goats and deer.

CITY: Prophetstown

Rock River Miniatures

This miniature horse farm is located in Whiteside County.

CITY: Rock Falls

Oppold Marina

Offers boat access to the Rock River, with a 50-ft. renovated boat launch. During the summer season, offers boat gas, concessions, paddleboat/rowboat/canoe rentals as well as 2 large shelters for family reunions and parties,

CITY: Sterling

Indian Mounds State Historic Site

One of the largest prehistoric Hopewell Mounds group in Illinois - interpretive brochures on site.

CITY: Albany

Robert F. Apple - Fishing Guide

Fishing guide - muskies, walleyes; all equipment furnished.

CITY: Chadwick

Cross Creek Golf Course

This nine-hole golf course features a pro shop, bar, snack bar and putting green.

CITY: Morrison

Paone's Blackhawk Lanes

This bowling alley features 20 lanes, a pro shop and a lounge.

CITY: Sterling

Great River Bike Trail

The bike trail in Fulton is one small section of the Great River Trail, which spans from Rock Island to Savanna (60 mi.).

CITY: Fulton

Deer Valley Golf Club

Located just 10 miles south of Rock Falls, Deer Valley is a challenging 18-hole championship golf course.

CITY: Deer Grove

Geneseo Campground

63 quiet, shady sites adjacent to the Historic Hennepin Canal. Full hookups. Log camping cabins. Tenters welcome. Clean, moderate bathrooms, playground, horseshoe pits, volleyball court, community building, laundry, dump station, LP gas.

CITY: Geneseo

Big Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area

1,188 acres of natural beauty. Fishing on Rock River and hunting.

CITY: Prophetstown

Mautino State Fish and Wildlife Area

Encompasses 871 acres of mostly unreclaimed strip-mining land. The area is dotted with some 15 stocked lakes for fishing. Be aware that shore access is limited and that shorelines tend to drop off suddenly into deep water.

CITY: Sheffield

Fin and Feather Campground

Campground for camping, hunting, and fishing. Located on backwaters of Mississippi River with boat rental, canoe rental, motor rentals, bait shop, concessions and canoe access

CITY: Thomson

Emerald Hill Golf and Learning Center

This golf complex features an 18-hole course.

CITY: Sterling

Sandy Pine Elk Farm

Surrounded by a ridge covered with thousands of pine trees, Sandy Pine has some of the largest and top-ranked elk bulls in the Midwest. Take a tour through the pasture and snap some photos.

CITY: Deer Grove

Morrison-Rockwood State Park

Timbered, 1150-acre state park with 77-acre lake stocked with a variety of fish. Class A, 92-site campground with shower building and all sites with electricity. Separate equestrian campground.

CITY: Morrison

Prophetstown Park District Pool & Recreational Center

Indoor/outdoor pool with aerobic classes and open swims. Rec Center has volleyball and basketball courts.

CITY: Prophetstown

Atkinson Motorsports Park

Located in Atkinson, this 216-acre park offers some of the best riding ground around. It is only 30 miles east from the Quad Cities and two hours west of Chicago. Get ready to let your horses run. Gob Hill, the newest DNR OHV park in the great state of Illinois. Trails, hill climbs, mud bogs and timber await your machine. Go on top of the Gob and you will think you're in the desert and travel to the timber and we think you might get lost. Only a few trails have been created by us, but remember, the most fun is making your own. Stop out and go for a ride; you will find some of the most awesome riding in northwestern Illinois. ATVs and Dirt Bikes only.

CITY: Atkinson

Jim Ardvini Boat Launch Park

Boat ramps into Lake Sinnissippi area of Rock River. Picnic tables, scenic river view, adjacent to Hennepin Canal State Park.

CITY: Rock Falls

Hennepin Canal Bike Paths

The Hennepin Canal Parkway follows an old towpath that was actually never used, although the locks and aqueducts are in still in place. It was originally built to link the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. The 105-mile path is level and easy; however, water is scarce along the way (found only at locks 21, 22 and the Visitor Center), so be sure to bring plenty, especially during hot days. The landscape varies from forest to grasslands to marsh to farmland, and the trail is particularly pleasing during fall, when the leaves are changing colors. The Hennepin Canal Parkway has become a cyclist's paradise and an exceptional spot for fishing, birding, horseback riding and a wealth of outdoor recreation.

CITY: Sheffield

Blue Goose Run

Blue Goose Run is the perfect farm setting for an outdoor wedding, family or class reunion, corporate or business meetings, and baby or bridal showers. Visit the Machine Shed Gift Shop and Corn Crib Restaurant.

CITY: Sterling

Prophet Hills Country Club

Built in 1966, this semi-private, 18-hole golf course is situated on extremely hilly terrain, and features a putting green and chipping area.

CITY: Prophetstown

Eagle Point Horseback Riding Farm & Eagle Point Paintball Games

Horseback riding for young and old. Trails follow Elkhorn Creek. Great for the more experienced rider. Paintball field is on island off Elkhorn Creek.

CITY: Milledgeville

Leisure Lake Campground

68 full hookup sites, of which 32 are pull-thru. All are 20 & 30 amp. Hookup (50 amp available), pay phones, full laundry.

CITY: Rock Falls

Ruffit Park

Located west of Sterling & Rock Falls on Rt. 30 & 2.

CITY: Sterling

Izaak Walton League

One mile north of Geneseo on Hwy 82, south of Historic Hennepin Canal. Clubhouse and shelter available for rent.

CITY: Geneseo

Green River State Wildlife Area

Green River is the best remaining example of the wetland-prairie mosaic that once covered the area's nearly 1 million acres of lowlands. This multiple-use site provides hunting, hiking, and birding opportunities.

CITY: Harmon

Prophetstown State Recreation Area

Boat ramp, shower facilities, picnic grounds and RV dump station. Playground equipment.

CITY: Prophetstown

Rock River Valley Skydivers, Inc.

Student training. Tandem & sport/fun jumping. Demonstration jumping for events. USPA group member drop zone. Two Cessna C182 jump planes, visitors welcomed. Located at the Whiteside County Airport.

CITY: Rock Falls

Spring Valley Farm

Spring Valley Farm is home to Jersey cows, alpacas, sheep, Belgian horses, chickens and goats. Farm tours and hayrack rides by appointment only.

CITY: Fulton