Best Hiking Trails in Illiniwek Forest Preserve

Overview

You have to know your days of the week to enjoy this park, but enjoy you will. The trails change directions every day. On Mon., Wed., Fri., Sun., the trails run counter clockwise (red), Tue., Thurs., Sat. they run clockwise (blue). The trails are clearly marked as are the daily directions. There are two systems of trails at Illiniwek, the North System and the South System. Both are multi-use trails, hikers and mountain bikes. There are a number of obstacles on the trail specifically for the mountain bikers. There are small jumps on the North System and curved ramps on the South System. These trail features can be found on the map at http://www.qcforc.org/trails/ifp/IFPTrailMap.pdf. The park map can also be found at http://www.ricfpd.org/ForestPreserveDistrict/media/RI-County-Forest-Preserve/PDFs/Illiniwek-FP-Map.pdf. Don’t let the trail features keep you from enjoying the park.

Both trail systems are well maintained and are packed dirt ranging in width up to approximately 4 feet. There is little to no debris on the trail, but there are exposed root throughout the trails. The trail is classified as easy with only small elevations changes throughout. The greatest elevation change is at the beginning of each trail system. Combining both trail systems together you have approximately five miles of trail. The connector trail from the overlook to the trailhead via the stairs is not maintained.

Illiniwek is located in Hampton, Illinois along the Mississippi. The park is divided by Illinois Rt. 84. On the east side of the road are the multi-use trails. Parking for both trail systems is near the trailheads. Restroom facilities at this location consist of a porta potty. There is ample room for picnics and a camp grill for cooking. The east side also features several areas of prairie flowers and is popular with photographers. The park is also home to the Rusty Patch Bumble Bee an endangered species.

The west side of the park, along the Mississippi river, is where the campground facilities are located. This includes primitive sites along with sites with water and electrical hookups. This area also has a playground, picnic shelters and a boat ramp. More information on the park can be found at http://www.ricfpd.org/Parks-Preserves/Illiniwek-Park-Forest-Preserve.aspx. The Great River Trail also runs though the campground following Illinois Rt. 84 and the Mississippi river.

When you get done with your time at the park Le Claire, Iowa is locate just 10 minutes away via the I80 Bridge to the north. Le Claire’s main street is noted for its shopping and antiques.

Getting Started

Illiniwek forest preserve is located just outside of Hampton Illinois on Illinois Rt. 84. Less than twenty minutes from downtown Moline, IL or downtown Bettendorf, IA. The trails our located on the east side of Rt. 84 while the campground, playground and picnic shelters are located on the west side along the Mississippi river. There are two parking lots available and both trail systems can be accessed from either parking lot. There is an additional parking lot located off of Hubbard Road at the maintenance facility.

When to Go

The best time to visit the park is during the week and in the early morning. The trails can become busy with mountain bikes on the weekend and later in the morning. The park is open 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM., but be sure to check the parks website as the trails my close for mountain bike events or rain. In order to keep the trails from getting ruts the trails may be posted as closed after a heavy rain. Check out their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/IlliniwekForestPreserve/posts/1534441766734386.
Visit the park anytime of the year, but during July and August the prairie wildflowers are blooming. This is a great spot to spend some time with your camera capturing the wildflowers or the butterflies as they flit from flower to flower. If you enjoy sledding or your children do, visit the sledding hill in the winter.

Permits

No permits are required except of camping.

Dog Info

The park is dog friendly, but they must be leashed. Just be aware that this is a multi-use trail with mountain bikes so think when you walk with your leashed dog.