In Rock Island County, river landscapes meet trails through forests and prairies. There are also museums and historic sites that bring different chapters of the region to life. Whether you prefer spending time outdoors or exploring culture, the Mississippi and the area’s wide range of attractions offer several possible focal points for your trip.
River, Trails, and Landscapes
On the Mississippi, you can take a scenic cruise with the Channel Cat Water Taxi or the Celebration Cruise Line; boating is also possible on the Mississippi and Rock River. If you’re planning a trip, check the current schedules. On land, the riverfront trails in Rock Island County are ideal for cycling, inline skating, jogging, and walking.
Several routes connect the river and the landscape in different ways. The American Discovery Trail crosses the Mississippi to Rock Island County at Arsenal Island, where it connects with the Illinois Great River Trail. This 62-mile Mississippi route runs from Rock Island’s Sunset Marina to Savanna. In the county, the Great River Trail passes the Quad City Botanical Center. The Illinois Great River Road follows the river through Rock Island County via Route 84 and Illinois 92.
The wooded areas also offer trails of different types. At Illiniwek Forest Preserve, the multi-use forest trails include five miles of singletrack with scenic overlooks. The Prairie Trail, by contrast, is a 0.9-mile grass trail with eleven information panels. The Sac-Fox Trail offers another option: It is about 12 miles long, laid out as a continuous loop of moderate difficulty, and passes through Loud Thunder Forest Preserve as well as a small part of the adjacent Loud Thunder Boy Scout Camp. The distances and stated difficulty make it easier to choose trails based on the kind of route you’re looking for.
The landscape includes protected areas with very different features. Loud Thunder Forest Preserve is home to Lake George, a 167-acre artificial lake up to 55 feet deep, stocked with numerous fish species. Martin Conservation Area covers 240 acres along the Illinois Great River Road and features mature oak forests and native prairies. AmĂ´wa Forest Preserve protects habitat for native pollinators across about 179 acres and offers land to explore.
Cultural History Along the River
Black Hawk State Historic Site brings together cultural history and nature: The 213-acre park showcases both and has trails along the Rock River and through a nature preserve. At the John Hauberg Museum, you can learn more about Black Hawk and the history of the Sauk and Meskwaki. A visit takes you from the region’s landscapes to the people and stories connected with this place.
Other sites on Arsenal Island explore its history. The Rock Island Arsenal Museum opened to the public on July 4, 1905, and is the second-oldest museum of the U.S. Army. It collects, preserves, and shares the history of Rock Island Arsenal and Arsenal Island. Exhibits cover topics including the roles of different populations, innovative manufacturing processes, and modern military equipment in the island’s history. The Colonel Davenport House was built on Arsenal Island in 1833–1834 for George Davenport and his family. The island in the Mississippi is owned by the U.S. federal government.
At the Mississippi River Visitor Center, the focus is on Locks and Dam 15, the lock system, the Government Bridge, and river traffic. Locks and Dam 15 was the first project of the 9-Foot Channel Project to be completed on the Upper Mississippi River. Rock Island National Cemetery is also part of the area’s history: It is one of the 20 oldest national cemeteries in the United States and has nearly 30,000 burials. The Confederate Cemetery on Rock Island Arsenal is the only surviving remnant of the Rock Island Prison Barracks, one of 21 Union Army prison camps during the American Civil War.
More to Explore Based on Your Interests
The Quad City Botanical Center brings together a variety of garden settings. The Children’s Garden includes a mini Mississippi, sandboxes, and the Storybook Landscapes area; the Sun Garden features plants from tropical habitats around the world. Niabi Zoo is home to more than 600 animals representing nearly 150 species across 40 acres of scenic woodland preserve; animal counts may change. Themed tours cover topics including adaptations, biodiversity, habitats, Africa, cats, reptiles, and careers at the zoo. Since tour offerings may change, check the current program before choosing a date.
Those interested in winter sports can visit Snowstar Winter Sports Park near Andalusia in Rock Island County. Activities include skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and ziplining. The park has 15 ski and snowboard runs as well as a 28-acre terrain park with more than 20 features. Indian Bluff Golf Course in Milan offers a different kind of sporting experience: The 18-hole course has a par of 70 for men and 71 for women; its features include smooth fairways, fast greens, and noticeable elevation changes.
In Rock Island itself, the Backwater Gamblers put on free water-ski shows on the Rock River from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Since this is a seasonal program, check the current show dates before making plans. That way, you can shape your trip around the experiences that interest you most—from rivers and nature to museums, gardens, or sports.
Discover more destinations: Moline, Rock Island, Coal Valley, East Moline, Logan, Marion County, Shelby County, Douglas County.
For the broader travel overview: Illinois.
