A former canal gives Will County an unusual thread connecting its attractions: the Illinois and Michigan Canal runs through much of the county as a park. A 62.5-mile hiking and biking trail follows former towpaths. Here, canal history meets outdoor activity—a theme that runs through several towns and landscapes across the county.

Canal History and Trails

The sections of the Illinois and Michigan Canal between Lockport and LaSalle-Peru were designated the first National Heritage Corridor in 1984. This historic corridor extends beyond Will County and includes museums and restored canal buildings. By contrast, the trail along the former towpaths is a specific hiking and biking route through much of the county. The canal’s regional significance and its present-day use as a recreational space stand side by side.

The scale of the conservation areas also shapes the region: the Will County Forest Preserve District owns or manages more than 21,000 acres of land. Individual preserves show how varied these landscapes can be. Monee Reservoir features a 46-acre lake surrounded by wetlands. Rock Run Rookery Preserve covers 224 acres, with open water and wetland and woodland habitats around two former quarry lakes. Protected nesting areas there are home to herons and other waterfowl.

Prairie, Wetlands, and Waterways

At Monee Reservoir, outdoor experiences meet waterside activities. A canoe and kayak launch is available at no charge; canoes and kayaks are rented seasonally, from May 1 through September 30. A 1.66-mile trail with a natural surface is designated for hiking, running, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Options range from paddling to trail activities, including winter pursuits.

At the large eastern lake in Rock Run Rookery Preserve, there is a boat launch and trailer parking for small fishing boats. No launch fee or District permit is required. If you’d rather travel by canoe, you can paddle 15 miles of the canal between Channahon and Morris. This paddling route complements the long hiking and biking trail with a second way to experience the historic waterway.

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie encompasses characteristic species and natural processes of the tallgrass prairie. These include the reintroduction of bison. Exhibits at the Welcome Center provide information about the local dolomite prairie. The landscape and the exhibits offer different insights into the prairie: one showcases natural processes, while the other explains this distinctive type of prairie.

Locks, Museums, and History in Joliet

Channahon State Park is the official starting point of the Illinois and Michigan Canal State Trail. Locks 6 and 7 are located there, along with the original restored lockkeeper’s house at Lock 6. The Joliet Iron Works Historic Site is also connected to the 7.57-mile Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail. Here, you can discover canal history through both its structures and a hiking trail.

In Joliet, the Rialto Square Theatre tells a different side of the city’s history: it opened as a vaudeville movie palace on May 24, 1926, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Old Joliet Prison offers a 90-minute guided walking tour of the prison grounds. The tour covers the prison’s history from its opening in 1858 to its closure in 2002. The main gallery of the Joliet Area Historical Museum introduces visitors to the stories of the Joliet region and its people.

The Isle a la Cache Museum explores the cultural heritage and natural history of Illinois Country in the 18th century. Topics include the history of the French voyageurs, Potawatomi traditions, and the fur trade era. At the Des Plaines River, Isle a la Cache Preserve also has a public canoe and kayak launch that does not require a launch pass. Here, history and paddling offer different ways to experience the river.

Route 66 is another historic thread running through Will County. It includes numerous attractions, historic sites, motels, hotels, and other distinctive stops. Between canal history, prairie, and Joliet’s cultural destinations, you can explore different facets of the county.

Explore More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Joliet, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Monee, Mokena, Crete, Channahon, Marion County

Return to the main travel overview: Illinois.