The Illinois Waterway is one of the state’s most important economic routes, serving as a gateway to the Mississippi River. It’s also one of Illinois’ best recreational areas, with excellent fishing, boating, and hiking. There are several state parks along the waterway, including Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks, both of which have miles of scenic hiking trails.
If you head to the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center, you can enjoy a range of exhibits and displays that highlight the region’s maritime history. You’ll learn the role that the waterway played in the economic development of the Midwest. The visitor center also shows you how the locks and dams on the river are operated.
The Illinois Waterway Visitor Center is day use only. However, there is a large RV campground located just across the river at Starved Rock State Park, only a few minutes drive away. The large campground has over 130 RV sites with electrical hookups, as well as modern amenities. You can also stay at the camping lodge, which has over 60 rustic rooms and 20 cabins.
The Illinois Waterway stretches more than 330 miles through the state, making it easy to access by RV from a number of major cities in the region. The Illinois Waterway Visitor Center is located about an hour and a half outside of Chicago.
If you are coming from Peoria, take IL-89 out of the city and you’ll reach the visitor center in around an hour and a half. From Chicago, take I-80 west from the city to get to the visitor center in just over an hour and a half.
The best RV camping option near the visitor center is located at Starved Rock State Park, just across the river. Take IL-178 south across the river and you’ll reach the campground in just a few minutes.
This campground is located just across the river from the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center. It features 133 RV sites with electrical hookups, as well as picnic tables and grills. You’ll also have access to modern restrooms with hot showers and flush toilets. There is also a camping lodge next to the campground that offers over 60 rooms, as well as 20 cabins.
Situated right on the banks of the Illinois River, you’ll be able to enjoy all that the river has to offer, from canoeing and kayaking to fishing and birdwatching. There are also a number of hiking trails that lead through the woods along the river. Hunting is allowed throughout large tracts of land in the state park, and you can also reach Matthiessen State Park in less than 15 minutes by car.
The campground is a popular weekend getaway, especially in early fall. Try to book well in advance if you plan on visiting over the weekend. Note that there are a limited number of sites with 50 AMP hookups.
With hundreds of miles of river to explore, as well as dozens of lakes and creeks, the Illinois Waterway is a popular destination for anglers. Channel catfish, walleye, and sauger are the most common catches, and you’ll also be able to reel in bluegill, white bass, and black crappie.
You’ll need an Illinois state fishing license if you plan on fishing any part of the waterway. These can be purchased online.
Stretching over 300 miles, the Illinois Waterway is one of the most highly trafficked commercial routes in the region. Recreational boaters will also have plenty of room to explore, making it one of the best spots in the state for kayaking and canoeing. Fall is the best time to ride down the river, as you can enjoy a spectacular show of autumn colors.
Most of the Illinois River is open to boating, although conditions vary throughout the year. You can find navigation charts made by the U.S. Army Corps on their website.
The scenic forests that lead up to the Illinois Waterway make for excellent hiking, with a number of state parks for you to explore in the surrounding area. If you visit the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center, you’ll be right next to Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks, both of which have over ten miles of well-marked trails following the Illinois River.
The best time to hike near the Illinois Waterway is in the fall, when the hardwood forests are draped in autumn colors.
If you visit the Illinois Waterway during the winter, you may be able to spot bald eagles. The Illinois Waterway Visitor Center has a wildlife viewing area where you can see bald eagles as they fly along the banks of the river. You’ll also find hundreds of other bird species along the Illinois River.
Illinois has one of the most dedicated communities of birdwatchers in the country. Many groups provide bird checklists and field guides which can be accessed for free online.
The areas near the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center are popular hunting grounds, with a mix of big and small game species. The most popular game are deer and wild turkey, and you’ll also find plenty of waterfowl and small game. Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks are the two most commonly hunted areas by the waterway, but you can also find a number of other parks nearby.
Any hunting requires an Illinois state hunting license. Do take caution while hunting in the area, as there are a number of well-trafficked hiking trails within Starved Rock State Park.
You’ll find a number of exhibits and displays at the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center that teach you more about the history of the area. You’ll learn how water transformation led to the economic expansion of the Midwest, as well as the history of the native people of the region.
Educators can also book tours in advance with a park ranger. They’ll teach your students about the history of the waterway, as well as how it has impacted local wildlife.
