---
id: "58611"
name: Illinois River Road
distance: "291"
duration: Seven hours to drive the entire byway, two days per loop for each of seven nature activity loops
description: 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. Experience the seasonal colors and rhythms of the forests, wetlands, bluffs, and prairies on your own or follow one of seven different nature activity guides.
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organization:
  - url: https://www.illinoisriverroad.org
    name: Illinois River Road
websites:
  - url: https://www.enjoyillinois.com/plan-your-trip/travel-inspiration/illinois-river-road-national-scenic-byway/
    name: Illinois Travel Guide
attractions:
  - url: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/chautauqua
    name: Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge
  - url: https://dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.hennepincanal.html
    name: Hennepin Canal State Trail
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/ilmi/index.htm
    name: Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Area
  - url: https://dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.starvedrock.html
    name: Starved Rock State Park
designations:
  - National Scenic Byway
states:
  - IL
ll:
  - -90.06504778272898
  - 40.29405658794116
bounds:
  - - -90.08831000020632
    - 40.29404099999215
  - - -88.84018700022983
    - 41.39545800018652

---

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. Experience the seasonal colors and rhythms of the forests, wetlands, bluffs, and prairies on your own or follow one of seven different nature activity guides.