The great river road in illinois national scenic byway driving directions south to north alexander county enter illinois on u. The map guides travelers along the official route and includes information about the more than 70 great river road interpretive centers. This illinois road or road transportrelated article is a stub. Areas of interest include the 35,846acre cranberry wilderness and the 750acre cranberry glades botanical area, the largest area of bogs in west virginia. This was the distance covered between respites, when the luxury of. A majestic blue heron stands silhouetted as the sun sets along the illinois river. More information is available at the 18 iowa great river road interpretive centers along the route. Whether you travel from top to bottom or just take a day trip, the expedition includes river towns large and small. On lake superior voyageurs would normally hug the northern shore because of the. The iowa great river road national scenic byway is part of the 10state great river road along the entire route of the mississippi river. The great river road travel map is a fullcolor map for exploring the 10state great river road national scenic byway. The stream is sometimes called baron fork river, barren fork creek or simply barren fork.
There is a place located in the heart of america, sometimes referred to as the heart of america. The great river road in illinois is a 550mile route offers breathtaking views and majestic landscapes that inspire and sooth the soul. E n s 60 united states highway 20 interstate highway 15 state and provincial highway 2167 county secondary route cities great river road major connecting. The river road rally was put together by three passionate car guys who enjoy the art of driving. National scenic byway arkansas, illinois, iowa, kentucky, louisiana, minnesota, mississippi, missouri, tennessee, wisconsin. The great river road in illinois national scenic byway driving directions north to south jo daviess county enter illinois on u. A trip down the great river road, a series of thoroughfares stretching from minnesota to louisiana, is an opportunity to experience a wide range of american regional culture and the eclectic diversity of its people. Separated from canada by the detroit river, which flows from scenic lake st. We have petrol running through our veins, and we developed this rally as a way to bring together other car crazy people who love nothing more than to answer the call of the open road. Parks directory of the united states national scenic byways address. Great river road illinois things to do sightseeing. Great river road illinois motorcycle rides and motorcycle roads. There is an alternative takeout located a short distance downstream on the east.
While the scenic beauty of the route provides an unforgettable backdrop to the byway. Order a free great river road 10state map experience. The illinois river road tour the lincolndouglas debates. Illinois river road national scenic byway share by amber holst of concierge preferred from pelicans soaring above a national wildlife refuge to what president theodore roosevelt declared as the worlds most beautiful drive, the 291mile byway along the illinois river is a mustdo experience. The canadian side of the boundary waters canoe area was nominated by the government of ontario as a canadian heritage rivers system in june of 1986. It represents four centuries of history and heritage, a compilation of thousands of stories that paints the picture of americas evolution. Travel by canoe along the route used from 17311821 by the brigades of voyageurs to transport furs and trade goods from lake superior to the north american interior for the north west company, the x y company, and the american fur company. Follow the mississippi river from minnesota to louisiana on a usa road trip. For details of siberian travel see siberian river routes. They even found the rivers emptying into lake superior from the west.
From tucked away resorts, to chain hotels and luxury accommodations, there is something for everyone and every budget. This 43mile route in the monongahela national forest passes through river valleys and onto mountain ridges, offering scenic views of the allegheny highlands as well as opportunities for walks through mountain bogs and cranberry glades. After falling into decline when the interstate highway system was created, route 66 is experiencing a renaissance and calling curious travelers to rediscover the freedom of the open road. The 33mile byway begins in hartford at the intersection of illinois route 3 and new. The granite archipelago of the lower french river is a perfect kayaking environment. Collection, british columbia historical books collection. You can purchase the national geographic map that has all the campsites, houseboat and dayuse sites located within voyageurs national park from the jefferson national parks association website or at any visitor center. In addition to their scenery, these routes are noted for their cultural, historic. By the late 17th century europeans had wintered on rainy lake, west of lake superior, and by the 1730s regular routes led west of lake superior. Countless peopleexplorers, fur traders, missionaries, map makers, lumberjacks, miners, naturalistswere drawn to the regions woods and lakeshores. Following the illinois and the des plaines rivers, via the chicago portage, they reached lake michigan near the location of modernday chicago. The fort was built about 250 years ago, so its by far one of the earliest building in illinois. Inoka siipiiwi is a principal tributary of the mississippi river and is approximately 273 miles 439 km long. During the early and mid20th century, this michigan city was the center of the u.
The french voyageur cuts a dashing figure in our imaginations, so much so we. The illinois river is an important part of the great loop, the circumnavigation of eastern north america by water. The byway parallels the illinois river country nature trail, a chain of over one hundred linked nature sites that offer outdoor recreation in the illinois river valley. In 2019 season, we bring you our classic railtrail, road and mountain bike tours, many of which explore our wonderful us national parks. Approximately 86 percent of the state program is allocated to maintaining illinois roads and bridges. Turn left off of route 6, onto route 29 and travel straight west toward depue. We provide answers to over 2 million searches every day, helping 35.
Etymologyofficial oklahoma department of transportation highway signs call the stream baron fork. A bostonborn book farmer, kelley reveled in experimenting with. Route of the voyageurs is a national scenic byway in central illinois, united states the byway traverses portions of the following routes. Illinois state parks article about illinois state parks by. The illinois section of the great river road gives an overview of the complete timeline of american history while highlighting the beauty and wonder of the mississippi river. Definitely worth having on your shelf if youre a student of illinois or anywhere along the mississippi river valley, for that matter history from that era.
The book also includes a short introduction by the photographer and a foreword by illinois lieutenant governor pat quinn. The great river road is americas oldest and longest national scenic byway, so it makes sense that its also home to a lot of history and unique attractions. Just get in your car and drive the great river road, which celebrated. Environmental protection agency and the illinois environmental protection agency. Any season of the year, the great river road in illinois is a feast for your eyes and senses. The other major route was that of the londonbased hudsons bay company hbc through hudson bay.
When the hbc began to move inland in 1774 with the construction of cumberland house on the saskatchewan river, most of its traffic inland was via the hayes river from york factory. Thank you for your interest in wilderness voyageurs bike tours. Visit illinois river on your trip to oklahoma or united states. Photo by illinois department of natural resources download original 1800 x 1200 pixels, 2. Highway 6062 and continue to the intersection with highway 51, near fort defiance park at the intersection, continue onto highway 51 n illinois route 3. Includes an interactive map for the motorcycle route, photos, rider comments, gps files, turn by turn directions, and more. Explore 100 natural and historic sites and numerous unique communities located throughout its 10county region. Visit the unique antique stores near the famous stops along the historic route 66 from chicago. The fur trade route of the boundary waters alternated between the kaminstiqua river 16701821 and the pigeon river 17311804. The illinois river road follows routes along both sides of the picturesque. Meeting of the great rivers is a breathtaking 33mile section of the great river road, where the great mississippi, illinois and missouri rivers come together. Mason county, on the ohio river in northeast kentucky was formed in 1789. Buffalo park forest preserve to voyageurs landing forest preserve.
Illinois river road national scenic byway enjoy illinois. Whitepages provides the top free people search and tenant screening tool online with contact information for over 250 million people including cell phone numbers and complete background check data compiled from public records, white pages and other directories in all 50 states. We also are delighted to bring you two brand new tours, a road bike adventure in virginia and an amazing railtrail touring experience in wisconsin. Travel by canoe along the route used from 17311821 by the. Extending from pere marquette state park to the lewis and clark state historic site, traces of history can be seen all throughout the bluffs and river towns along the byway. Illinois and michigan canal illinois department of. The route west from montreal has been called the first transcanada highway.
Find the best spots for hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, canoeing, wetlands, gardens, birding and watching wildlife. They followed the mississippi back to the mouth of the illinois river, which they learned from natives was a shorter route back to the great lakes. Illinois river road illinois the illinois river valley imparts feelings of awe at the power of the river winding its way through a land form carved by glacial melt water. Iowa at dubuque, which sits as the crossroads of iowa, illinois and wisconsin. If youre looking for a relaxing getaway or a shorter stay, the great river road in illinois has just the place to relax for the night. Claire into lake erie, motor city detroit is an iconic stop for your great lakes road trip.
Apr 29, 2015 road tripping with illinois tourism through the heartland of the usa, my personal plans for the trip were what you might consider basic. Share illinois river road national scenic byway the byway unites more than 100 naturebased destinations throughout the illinois river valley, beginning in ottawa and ending 140 miles south in havana. Want to take an amazing road trip along the great river road. Illinois river road national scenic byway, lewistown, illinois. State of illinois illinois department of transportation.
Marquette and jolliet 1673 expedition native heritage. Great river road in illinois north great river road in illinois south great river road in iowa. No route is signed on the illinois side of the mississippi north of east dubuque, although wisconsin highway 35 has great river road markers all the way to the state line at il 35. At least one scenic byway runs through each of the. Paddle the routes of the voyageurs french river in recognition of the french river s natural, historical, and recreational value, it received official status as a provincial waterway park in 1989. A short trip over from ottawa is princeton, the home of the owen lovejoy homestead. Visit the elgin area in the fox river valley of northern illinois. Take the route 66 road trip from chicagos navy pier through dupage county in illinois with wonderfully nostalgic restaurants, petrol pumps and street signs. Route of the voyageurs is a national scenic byway in central illinois. The only real city along route 66 is the illinois state capital, springfield, which has preserved its sections of route 66 alongside a wealth of places connected to the namesake president here in the land of lincoln. There is always a new vista, a new sight to behold, a new discovery and a new memory to be made. Explore the illinois river road, along both sides of the illinois river, from ottawa to havana.
The illinois river road scenic byway preserves the natural river country along the banks of the illinois river, allowing modern visitors to travel the same route as the early french explorers. There are 29 state recreation andor conservation areas along the route of the great river road but if youre looking for another spectacular natural getaway, consider a side trip to shawnee national forest h9. This map is an essential item for anyone traveling along the mississippi river. Seven great scenic byways, from the great river road to the illinois lincoln highway, with river towns, presidential and colonial history. For more detailed information we suggest that you consult with official state highway maps, or contact the appropriate tourism offices listed on this map. Route of the voyageurs is a national scenic byway in central illinois, united states. The baron fork of the illinois river is a tributary of the illinois river in the u. May 28, 20 travel the great river road with the gypsynesters. In the direct competition that ensued between the hbc and other traders, the rivals paced one another westward.
Harpers awardwinning book follows a raindrop named serendipity as it takes the 90day journey along the mississippi river from its source in minnesota until it reaches the gulf of mexico in louisiana. Tracing part of the historic fur trade route, we will start at hartley bay and descend the old voyageur channel to georgian bay and into the 30,000 islands. This article covers the water based canadian canoe routes used by early explorers of canada. While there, ask a local about the great flood of 1993. Dozens of small towns across the state play up their route 66 connections, and most boast at least one true oldroad landmark. The great river road is arguably the longest and most important scenic byway in america. Great river road illinois travel resources maps and. Oct 31, 2008 life along the illinois river is a gracious portrait of a river that unites humanity and nature, and it offers a new vision of the illinois rivers vitality and its role in our lives. Traveling down the illinois river road, you will pass through pekin, where. French explorers joliet and marquette recognized the value of this water route for navigation in the 1600s. As the first european settlement in illinois, peoria is rich in history and even richer in natural beauty. Great river road and mississippi river road trip visit the usa. The road name changes to marquette st continue another 0.
The great river road national scenic byway follows the course of the mississippi river for 3,000 miles from northern minnesota to the gulf of mexico. Heritage harbor in ottawa is a very nice stop with pool, restaurant, etc. This boy scouts of america, historic trails award is administered by the voyageurs area council. Life along the illinois river is a gracious portrait of a river that unites humanity and nature, and it offers a new vision of the illinois river s vitality and its role in our lives. Roads wikiproject, an attempt to build a comprehensive and detailed guide to state highways and other major roads in the united states. Scenic byway hereafter illinois river road and charts a path for this. The scenic route passes through 10 states and hundreds of river towns. This itinerary takes you to cantmiss iconic stops along the illinois portion of route 66, traveling from bigcity chicago to smalltown destinations. Harpers awardwinning book follows a raindrop named serendipity as it takes the 90day journey along the mississippi river from its source in minnesota until it reaches the gulf. The city of peoria is developing a longterm plan to reduce combined sewer overflows to the illinois river, as required by the u. The voyageurs highway was the route from lake superior along inland waterways to the minnesota north country.
On the road from chicago, northern illinois proved to be much more interesting than expected. Illinois river road national scenic byway home facebook. Earlier in the week, fowler met with site superintendents and administrators from the illinois department of natural resources to talk about improvements being made to southern illinois state parks. The byway parallels the illinois river country nature trail, a chain of over one hundred linked nature sites that offer outdoor recreation.
The byway traverses portions of the following routes. Spirit of peoria at the peoria riverfront 100 ne water street, peoria, il 61602, 309 6378000. Here are a few things you might not know about the mississippi river and the cities and states along the great river road. Stop in and visit the numerous state historic sites along the national scenic byway. Jun 24, 2010 peoria, illinois is part 4 of our video tour. If you would like to participate, you can edit the article attached to this page, or visit the project page, where you can join the project andor contribute to the discussion. Amazing finds await in quaint shops in charming downtown springfield and peppered along the tranquil wine trails in southern illinois. Maybe youll find something unexpected when you go looking for lincoln in havana and mason county, illinois. This canal provided the first complete water route from the east coast to the gulf of mexico by connecting lake michigan to the mississippi river by way of the illinois river. This book details the history and culture of the illinois valley along with the best. While driving the illinois river road, youll be immersed in the rich cultural and archaeological history of native americans, french explorers, american settlers, and immigrants who were drawn here by the river valleys abundant natural resources and who built their lives and communities from the land and river. There arent many accounts of life in the illinois country during the 1600s, this book does give a very detailed account of what that life was like. Travel along the great river road with author gayle harper. Experience the seasonal colors and rhythms of the forests, wetlands, bluffs, and prairies on your.
1387 16 1293 391 1328 579 600 524 747 575 1040 341 1426 1021 1351 549 1275 348 999 484 349 472 97 69 396 482 1038 1233 307 18 170 534 603 994 1280 1355 1486 200