The Hennepin Canal provides a special thread of discovery through Bureau County: the Hennepin Canal State Trail is a 104.5-mile linear park that runs through five counties in Illinois, including Bureau County. The canal was built between 1892 and 1907 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its towpath offers 155 miles for hiking and biking; the canal is also open to boats and canoes, with portages part of the experience. This makes it possible to discover both trails on land and activities on the water along the same historic waterway.

Waterways and Landscapes

Mautino State Fish and Wildlife Area covers 900 acres with 16 ponds and lakes for kayaking, canoeing, and boating. The area is open year-round; seasonal conditions on site may change. Fish species found there include largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish, and crappie. Boat ramps are available at Boss Lake and Osprey Lake.

Barto Landing offers another water connection: access via a lagoon and three ramps leads to peaceful boating trips on the Illinois River. Other activities include boating, water skiing, fishing, and swimming. Donnelley/DePue State Fish and Wildlife Areas offer opportunities for boating and fishing along the Illinois River. The Donnelley/DePue complex covers 3,015 acres with a variety of wetland habitats. Large areas are managed for waterfowl feeding, nesting, resting, hunting, and observation.

The natural areas also vary considerably. Miller-Anderson Woods includes old-growth oak-hickory upland forests, maple-basswood forests, sedge meadows, seep slopes, and hill prairie communities. McCune Sand Prairie Land and Water Reserve protects sand prairie and sand woodland communities that provide habitat for threatened and endangered species. Hormel Ponds lie in a basin surrounded by wooded bluffs, wetlands, the Hennepin Canal, and floodplain forests; a state fish-stocking program supplements the ponds’ natural repopulation.

For a stay surrounded by greenery, the 65-acre City-County Park offers trails, picnic and grill areas, a log cabin, a playground, a sports field, and restrooms. Together, these areas offer a variety of experiences, from the towpath and ponds to river access and protected habitats.

Museums and Historic Sites

The Bureau County History Center operates three museum buildings and a research library. On guided tours, visitors encounter artifacts and stories from the county. The Center lists museum tours on Fridays and Saturdays from 12 to 5 p.m.; the last available tour starts at 4 p.m. Check these hours before you arrive. At the Tiskilwa Historical Society Museum, six galleries explore Tiskilwa’s history. Topics range from Indigenous cultures and the town itself to the military, schools, the Hennepin Canal, agriculture, railroads, and churches.

The Lovejoy Homestead was once a stop on the Underground Railroad and was home to the Denham and Lovejoy families for nearly 100 years. It is located at 905 E. Peru St. in Princeton. The grounds also include the one-room Colton Schoolhouse, which was moved here in 1971 from its original location 2.5 miles farther east. Another historic house museum is the Owen Lovejoy House. Dating from 1838, it is associated with abolitionist and congressman Owen Lovejoy.

Built in 2006, the Captain Swift Covered Bridge is the only two-lane covered bridge in Illinois. It adds a structure with a distinctive place in the state to the area’s historic attractions.

Local Life and Regional Orientation

Regular farmers markets in Bureau County offer strawberries, sweet corn, vegetables, and freshly baked goods. Market dates may vary. Recurring events also give each visit its own focus: the Historic Bureau County Fair runs for five days and features a variety of activities and entertainment for all ages; dates and programming change from year to year. The Homestead Festival honors Reverend Owen Lovejoy and features a weekend of activities. It takes place every September, with dates and programming subject to change. Festival 56 presents a selection of historical and newer plays and musicals in Princeton, from works by William Shakespeare to compositions from the Broadway generation; programming changes from year to year.

For regional orientation, Bureau County is about an hour east of the Quad Cities and two hours west of downtown Chicago. Princeton is on Interstate 80; U.S. Routes 6, 26, 29, and 34 intersect in the city.

Discover more destinations

Spring Valley, Ladd, Kankakee County, Will County, Wayne County, Marshall County, Jefferson, Logan.

For the main travel overview: Illinois.