Mississippi Landscapes and Trails
Mississippi Palisades State Park lies near the confluence of the Mississippi River and the Apple River, covers 2,500 acres, and is rich in Native American history. Within the park is the Sentinel Nature Preserve in Carroll County. Nature and cultural heritage meet in this landscape, without the view being limited to a single aspect. Fishing is possible in the Mississippi River and its backwater areas within the park.
Thomson Causeway Recreation Area offers 131 campsites with concrete pads and 50-amp electrical hookups. Those who want to explore on foot will find the Hidden Slough Nature Trail there: it runs three-quarters of a mile through bottomland forest. The Great River Bike Trail can be accessed near the park entrance. A boat ramp provides access to the main channel and backwater areas of the Mississippi River. Hiking, cycling, and spending time by the water are distinct options.
A longer route option is the 8.70-mile Spring Lake Trail. The grass trail is suitable for hiking, walking, cycling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing; it can be reached via the Spring Lake parking lot. Its seasonal closure is important for planning: the trail is closed from October 1 through the end of Illinois' waterfowl hunting season. By comparison, the Hidden Slough Nature Trail is much shorter at three-quarters of a mile and runs through bottomland forest.
Another place to learn about nature is the Ingersoll Wetlands Learning Center in Thomson. It offers a ten-minute orientation video about the refuge, a River Walk exhibit, nature and wildlife exhibits, as well as maps and brochures. Check office hours before your arrival.
Museums and Living History
Permanent exhibits at the Savanna Museum & Cultural Center are located on the second and third floors. The museum displays more than 120 mannequins depicting the history of the American Civil War. An operating HO-scale model railroad depicts rail operations in Savanna in the 1950s. The varied exhibits range from American history to a specific look at Savanna's railroad past.
The Savanna Historic Walking Tour includes ten historic sites and is about 2.3 miles long. By comparison, the Hidden Slough Nature Trail is a much shorter, three-quarter-mile route through bottomland forest. You can choose between a walk featuring historic sites and a nature trail, without treating both tours as if they were the same length.
The Carroll County Historical Society operates six historic buildings and has a diverse collection of artifacts relating to local and American history. Its offerings include school tours, living history programs, public events, exhibits, and publications. Oakville Settlement includes a brick, one-room schoolhouse dating from 1888, two 19th-century log cabins, a blacksmith shop, and a granary. The different buildings bring history to life, from school days to craft and agricultural facilities.
Timber Lake Playhouse also connects cultural history with a specific look at the stage. It was founded in 1961 as a professional, nonprofit summer theater. The current theater building features a 45-foot-wide, semi-thrust revolving stage and 371 fixed seats.
Mount Carroll and the Surrounding Area
Mount Carroll has a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Carroll County Courthouse in downtown is a historic courthouse dating from 1843; the surrounding streets are paved with brick. Five historic backroad driving tours begin in Mount Carroll and lead through the surrounding area. If you want to connect the history of downtown with a broader view of the landscape, these offer two different perspectives: historic sites in town and routes leading from there into the surrounding area.
On a larger regional scale, the Illinois Great River Road follows the Mississippi River along Illinois' western border. It is designated a National Scenic Byway. This places the river landscape in a context that extends beyond individual trails and towns.
Explore more destinations: Savanna, Champaign, Lawrence, Marshall County, Fayette County, Henry County, Wayne County, Kane.
For the main travel overview: Illinois.
