The River Trail follows the former route of the Illinois Terminal Railroad Co. for 4.8 miles and is paved. A section of about 1.8 miles includes a 1,200-foot-long, six-foot-wide wooden boardwalk with views of the wetlands along the Illinois River. The trail brings together a former railroad route and views of the river landscape. Tazewell County lies along the Illinois River and borders Peoria. The region’s nature and culture range from waterfront landscapes and trails to local history and annual festivals.
River Landscapes and Trails
Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area is in Tazewell County, on the east side of the Illinois River. It covers 1,285 acres and has 18 miles of shoreline. The area and shoreline figures describe different aspects of the site: its overall size and the length along the water.
Powerton Lake offers a different focus. The 1,426-acre lake is a cooling water reservoir with a waterfowl refuge. Here, an engineering function and a resting area for waterfowl are part of the same waterscape.
Spring Creek Preserve covers 262 acres of wooded slopes, floodplains, and former agricultural land. Marked and maintained hiking trails are accessible from the parking lot. The Old Fields Loop is about 2 miles long. This makes it easy to compare with the 4.8-mile River Trail: the loop is the shorter of the two designated routes. These details offer a practical guide when deciding between a shorter loop and a longer trail.
The Mackinaw River State Fish and Wildlife Area also has a canoe launch. Within the area, ParkLands Nature Preserve protects the habitat of the heart-leaved plantain along the Mackinaw River. This brings a practical connection to the water together with a specific conservation goal: a place to launch canoes and the protection of a designated habitat.
Pekin and Morton: History, Parks, and Festivals
The Pekin Marigold Festival takes place annually on the first weekend after Labor Day in the United States and has been held since 1973. Its recurring date and 1973 origins give the festival a clear place on Pekin’s festival calendar.
The Tazewell County Courthouse Square History Walk offers a different perspective on the city: it is a self-guided historical tour in downtown Pekin. Unlike the annual festival, it focuses on the city’s history, with the self-guided format shaping the experience.
Mineral Springs Park in Pekin covers more than 200 acres and offers numerous recreational facilities. Its size and broad range of recreational options set it apart from the historical tour and the festival. The Pekin Farmers Market aims to make fresh produce and local goods available to Pekin residents. Its focus is on regional products and everyday life in the city.
The Morton Pumpkin Festival is also held annually. Together with the Pekin Marigold Festival, it adds to the opportunities to experience festival culture as part of a trip through the region; the Marigold Festival also has a set date after Labor Day.
Discover more destinations: Pekin, East Peoria, Tremont, Morton, Jo Daviess County, Kondoa, Cumberland County, Knox County.
For the broader travel overview: Illinois.
