Parks & Trails
Hike through Spectacular Nature in Carroll County
Come to Carroll County and experience thousands of acres of beautiful parklands and endless miles of dedicated trails.
Bike Through Beautiful Scenery in Carroll County
With miles of trails and acres of beautiful scenery, Carroll County is a biker’s paradise. Paved or unpaved, hilly or flat, no matter how you like to ride, we’ve got a riding experience you’re sure to love.
View the Beautiful Birds of Carroll County
From woodpeckers to waterfowl, bald eagles to blackbirds, feathered friends abound in Carroll County. Abundant woods, wetlands, and the Mississippi itself make the area a perfect place for birds to thrive. Up to 2,500 bald eagles winter along the Mississippi River near the locks and dams. Turbulence created below the dams stir up fish for eagles to feast upon. In addition, the wooded bluffs that overlook the Mississippi River are excellent habitat for roosting and nesting eagles. Whether you want a guided birding tour or just a leisurely stroll through one of our many nature preserves, you’ll find a birders paradise here.
Great Places to Hike
Ayers Sand Prairie Nature Preserve
This preserve largely contains sand dunes and blowout communities, and it is also home to many deer, skunks, and various birds.
French Bluff Illinois State Recreational Nature Area
This large forest area is an excellent birding site for interior forest birds, as well as a good site to view spring wildflowers.
Great River Trail
As Carroll County’s longest trail, it expands 62-miles from Savanna to the Quad Cities, and it has beautiful scenery in every mile.
Ingersoll Wetlands Learning Center
This 50,000-acre refuge offers trails to hike or bike. Picnic, explore the gift shop, and enjoy the wildlife observation.
Lost Mound Unit
A 7,000-acre nature preserve on the Mississippi offering sand prairie remnants, forests, wetlands, old military buildings, Indian burial mounds, scenic river overlooks and the largest sand dune in Illinois.
Mississippi Palisades State Park
2,400-acres on steep bluffs overlooking the Mississippi, with birding, camping, canoeing, fishing, hiking, scenic overlooks, and cross-country skiing.
Old Mill Park
Features a paved walking trail, tennis & basketball courts, a playground, picnic tables and restroom facilities.
Point Rock Park
This city park contains parking, frisbee golf, restrooms, and much more.
Spring Lake
An 8.7-mile trail rings this park and the lake it takes its name from. Scenic overlooks on the trail overlook the Mississippi and Spring Lake. Great spot for birding, fishing, hiking, and picnicking.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Thomson Causeway Recreation Area
This 64-acre preserve on the Great River Trail overlooks a 3-mile-wide Mississippi channel and the Potters Marsh wetlands. Excellent birding, camping, canoeing, fishing, and hiking; boat launches available.
Great Biking Adventures to Choose From
Great River Trail
This epic trail runs 62 miles along the Mississippi from Savanna to the Quad Cities, with beautiful scenery in every mile.
Ingersoll Wetlands Learning Center
This 50,000-acre refuge offers places to bike, picnic, and enjoy the wildlife.
Lost Mound Unit
A 7,000-acre nature preserve on the Mississippi offering sand prairie remnants, forests, wetlands, old military buildings, Indian burial mounds, scenic river overlooks, and the largest sand dune in Illinois.
Marquette Park
Seven scenic acres on the Mississippi River. Canoeing, fishing, picnicking, and ample parking available.
Mississippi Palisades State Park
2,400-acres on steep bluffs overlooking the Mississippi, with birding, camping, canoeing, fishing, hiking, scenic overlooks, and cross-country skiing.
Old Mill Park
Features multiple walking trails, restroom buildings, tennis & basketball courts, a playground, and concessions.
Point Rock Park
This city park contains parking, frisbee golf, restrooms, and much more.
Spring Lake
An 8.7-mile trail rings this park and the lake it takes its name from. Scenic overlooks on the trail offer views of the Mississippi and Spring Lake. Great spot for birding, fishing, hiking, and picnicking.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Thomson Causeway Recreation Area
This 64-acre preserve on the Great River Trail overlooks a 3-mile wide Mississippi channel and the Potters Marsh wetlands. Great birding, camping, canoeing, fishing, and hiking; boat launches available.
Grab Your Binoculars to See Over 190 Species of Birds
Ayers Sand Prairie Nature Preserve
This preserve largely made up of sand dunes, is also home to a wide variety of birds and many other forms of wildlife.
French Bluff Illinois State Recreational Nature Area
This large forest area is an excellent birding site for interior forest birds, as well as a good site to view spring wildflowers.
Frog Pond
Located along Plum River, this area provides wheelchair accessibility and plenty of viewing areas to watch migrating birds.
Mississippi Palisades State Park
Experience some of the best birding in the state in this 2,400 acre reserve filled with wooded ravines and steep forested bluffs. Numerous overlooks are perfect for watching eagles soar over the Mississippi in the winter or migrating waterfowl in spring and fall. Off the water, you'll find dozens of species, from the pileated woodpecker to 34 species of warbler.
Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge
Here you can take a guided tour and view many birds, plants, and other wildlife.