About Bureau County
Recreational Trails
Illinois River Country Nature Trail
Winding through and near many of the towns in Bureau County is part of the Illinois River Country Nature Trail, the full extent of which runs 140 miles from Ottawa, Illinois, south to Havana, Illinois. A number of special sites of notable interest are set aside for those traveling the roads of Bureau County. A booklet describing each site in detail is available by contacting the Princeton Chamber of Commerce (877-730-4306). The cost of the booklet is free. Drive carefully and enjoy!
Galena Trail and Coach Road The Old Galena Trail and Coach Road is one of the oldest known pathways in the Midwest. Visit the website at www.galenatrailsociety.org
Warneke Woods near Princeton [site contact at 815-875-8732]. Of interest are the tree types and wild flowers–many uncommon to this part of Illinois.
McCune Sand Prairie near Mineral [site contact at 815-875-8732]. Rare Prairie type acreage caused by over-grazing.
Mautino State Fish & Wildlife Area near Buda [site contact at 815-454-2328]. A reconstituted strip mine with numerous lakes for fishing. Another good bird watching site.
Donnelley/Depue State Fish & Wildlife Area & Complex near DePue [site contact at 815-447-2353]. This site is called an important North American waterfowl migration corridor.
Witness Tree near Buda [site contact at 815-875-8732]. The tree is a 250-year-old bur oak with branches spreading over 80 feet. Indians and surveyors have used this tree as a reference point.
Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park near Sheffield [site contact at 815-454-2328]. This historic canal was obsolete almost as it was finished. Enjoy bird watching, fishing, hiking, and biking.
Major trail websites for Bureau County
The Reagan Trail runs from Dixon, Illinois, down to Eureka where President Reagan attended school. The Grand Illinois Trail follows the Hennepin Canal through Bureau County and the Illinois River Country Trail has a loop through a number of towns in Bureau County–offering a wide variety of scenic and recreational areas.
For more information . . .
http://www.peoria.org/goto/nature
http://www.fermatainc.com/il/trail_1.html
http://www.fermatainc.com/il/loop_8.html
http://www.ronaldreagantrail.net
http://www.openlands.org/git/index.asp
Hike the Hennepin!
The Friends of the Canal is a local organization that holds monthly hikes along small legs of the Canal and Feeder Canal. One need not be a member of Friends to join in the hikes, which are broken up in roughly 2-5 mile increments between the locks. The hikes are a great way to see what the Canal has to offer! For more information call one of the following members:
Ed Hermann at 815-664-2403
Gary Wagle at 309-786-6681
Pat Stier at 815-454-2502
One can also visit the Friends of the Canal website to learn more about the organization and how to join.