Everyone in Illinois Should Take This Underappreciated Scenic Drive
By Benjamin Clancy|Published October 09, 2020
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Benjamin Clancy
Author
Benjamin Clancy is the Illinois and Indiana writer at Only In Your State, a doctoral candidate at UNC Chapel Hill in Communication, and an artistic type who has attended the Vermont Studio Center residency in poetry writing and makes something like music as "little other." They grew up in Austin, Texas and currently live in Chicago, IL with their partner, two dogs, and a cat. Get in touch by emailing bclancy@onlyinyourstate.com.
Grab your family (or just your own sense of adventure) and spend a Saturday touring this beautiful section of the Illinois River Road!
This scenic drive through Illinois begins in historic Ottawa. The Illinois River Road spans 150 miles. You could spend months following it south to Havana where it meets the Shawnee National Forest and trying to take in the hundreds of natural, historical, and cultural attractions along the way.
For those looking for a quick trip, however, The Central/Northern Byway of the Illinois River Road offers a lovely sample of that experience. This scenic drive through Illinois will take your breath away without you needing to take time off of work.
You can do the stunning drive outlined here in one day. It features three beautiful areas to explore by foot, Matthiessen State Park, the Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park, and Wildlife Prairie State Park, in addition to its stunning riverside driving.
Ottawa is a town with a rich history and an even richer view of the Illinois River. Arrive early and grab a bite to eat in the charming Historic Downtown to fortify you for the day ahead. After you do, begin your travels on a historical note and check out Washington Square, where the first of famous Senatorial debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas took place. Even if you're not a history buff, the park is a lovely place to digest breakfast before beginning your drive. Washington Square Park is Located at Washington Square Park, 101 E Lafayette St, Ottawa, IL 61350.
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2. Cascade Falls, Matthiessen State Park (Utica, IL)
From Ottawa, pass through the Illinois Waterway Visitors Center that overlooks the Illinois River Basin. From there, it’s only a twenty minute drive to Matthiessen State Park — a well-loved, but lesser known cousin of nearby Starved Rock State Park. Home to the remarkable Cascade Falls and Giant’s Bathtub Falls, this park is an ideal place to stretch your legs before you start the longer part of the drive and contains some of the most inspiring nature in Northern Illinois.
Matthiessen State Park is located at 2500 IL-178, Oglesby, IL 61348.
From Matthiessen State Park, take IL-40 S through charming Princeton and arrive at the Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park. This area is known for recreational bird watching, hiking, and even cross-country skiing. The canal itself runs 105 miles, so you if you’re feeling athletic, this is an ideal location for biking and horseback riding, as well. Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park is located at 16006 E. Street, Sheffield, IL 61361.
Continuing down Il-40 S, you’ll pass through the Osceola and Kickapoo townships, each worth visiting for their culture, dining, and wineries after the pandemic. This will bring you to Wildlife Prairie State Park. This zoological park is home to bears, bison, cougars, and wolves, making it a standout for brave travelers. One of the less threatening wild specimens is pictured here. Wildlife Prairie Park is located at 3826 N Taylor Rd, Hanna City, IL 61536.
Wildlife Prairie State Park is just outside of Peoria, so stop into the city for dinner. Then conclude your trip by taking Grandview Drive north through the Peoria Bluffs as sunset begins— this puts you back on the beaten track, but it’s worth it to see what Theodore Roosevelt famously called "the world’s most beautiful drive." Grandview Drive State Park is located at 3615 N Grandview Dr, Peoria, IL 61614.
From Grandview Drive, rejoin Il-26 N to travel alongside Illinois River and Billsbach Lake as the sunset lights up the water. Finally, complete the loop and return to Ottawa via IL-18 E, depart for wherever home is, or stay the night in Peoria, which has lots of attractions for travelers looking for another day of adventures.
What scenic drives through Illinois do you take to get away from it all? Do you agree with President Roosevelt, or does another spot give Grandview Drive a run for its money?
Get in touch! We want to see your photos and hear your tales of the road.
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