Outdoor Recreation

Your paradise Awaits

Welcome to a Midwest gem offering tranquil landscapes and adventurous activities. We’re a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, featuring highlights that include the Great River Road, Mississippi Palisades State Park, Franklin Creek State Natural Area, Byron Forest Preserve, and Castle Rock State Park. Explore lush pathways, discover different species, and reconnect with nature in state parks, preserves, and forests across the landscape. Explore your limits with adrenaline-pumping adventure sports. With high-quality bait and tackle, cast your line into the sparkling waters for a thrilling fishing experience. Enjoy boating, sailing, or paddling on our waterways. Golfers of all skill levels can play on both outdoor and indoor courses, while horseback riders can bond with nature while riding through scenic landscapes. Birdwatching, a beautiful ballet of feathered beauties, will lift your spirits. The Blackhawk Waterways offer nature, entertainment, and infinite opportunities for beautiful moments. In the winter we offer cross-country skiing, miles of snowmobile trails, and some of the best bald eagle watching in the state.

Outdoor Adventure

The Great River Road follows the mighty Mississippi along Illinois’ western border and winds through our Carroll and Whiteside counties. As a visitor, you’ll be enchanted by its meandering path along the river, offering a perfect blend of nature’s beauty and recreational adventure. Rent a canoe and spend an hour or two on the Mississippi where Lewis and Clark began their famed expedition. You’ll experience towering bluffs, rolling hills, river communities, farmlands, and sweeping views. Along the way, you might just discover that there’s more to the road than just the river. In Northwest Illinois, the best memories are made when you’re just a little bit lost. Come find yourself in the wonderfully unexpected. After all, we’re the far-from-ordinary, near-enough getaway you never knew you needed.

Neighbor Notes

Paul Gierhart

One of Paul's favorite places to bird watch is at the Oppold Marina in Sterling on Stouffer Road. He also recommends the Rock Falls Wildlife Area and the Rock River Birding Trails. Paul also suggests downloading a bird app that plays bird songs as well. "Birds are very curious and if they hear another bird nearby, they'll want to come check it out." offered Paul. "Many of these apps also have pictures to help you identify a species and some can even identify the birds you see just by uploading a photo. It's a great way to learn and have fun at the same time."

Outdoor Recreation

Your paradise Awaits

Outdoor Adventure

Neighbor Notes

Paul Gierhart

Explore!