Hennepin Canal State Trail

Bureau, Henry, Lee, Rock Island & Whiteside Counties, Illinois

Latitude/Longitude
Trail Access Varies
Visitor Center:  41.3853071, -89.7005169

Trail Access Varies
​Visitor Center:
16006 East Street
Sheffield, IL 61361
815-454-2328

Official Websites
https://dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.hennepincanal.html
​​https://www.friends-hennepin-canal.org/

Activities: 
Trails (hiking, biking, equestrian)
Camping (designated camping areas only)
Water (paddle, fish)
Snow (snowshoe, cross-country ski, ice skate)
Other (hunt*, picnic, view wildlife, playground at main park in Sheffield)
*Be aware, be safe.  ALL visitors should see below.
 
Season/Hours:  year round, sunrise to sunset
 
Dog Friendly:  yes (leashed)
 
Map(s) On Site and/or Online:
Online:
Interactive Google Map:  https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=10-34jhJSJltmiEn7Pk1ZqJZjymLT7BCc&ll=41.46438735299183%2C-90.14494423465695&z=9
Camping Area Maps:  https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:5b86edf7-0a52-4b4e-82af-81c22ac367be
East Section Map:
https://friends-hennepin-canal.org/wp- content/uploads/fhcanal_website_CF_Map-East1.pdf 
North Section Map:
https://www.friends-hennepin-canal.org/wp-content/uploads/fhcanal_website_CF_Map-North.pdf
West Section Map:
https://www.friends-hennepin-canal.org/wp-content/uploads/fhcanal_website_CF_Map-West.pdf
Overall Map with Mileage:
https://www.friends-hennepin-canal.org/wp-content/uploads/fhcanal_Map-Mileage-chart.pdf
On Site:  unknown
 
Parking:  parking lots at trailheads
 
Amenities:  vary by trail location
 
Restrooms:  vary by trail location
 
Trail Info Websites/Apps:  All Trails, Trailforks, TrailLink
 
Cost:  fee for camping, otherwise free    

Historical and/or Scientific Significance:  historic; birding hotspot
 
Terrain/Views/Access:  forest, hills, prairie, open grass space,
stream/canal view, stream/canal access (varies by location)

General Description:  105-mile state trail (linear park) spanning five Illinois counties and 1950 acres; connects Illinois River and Rock River

OPAL’s Observations & Opinions:  

Trail/Park Maps & Brochures (downloadable):
​Hennepin Canal Recreation Guide (PDF)
Hennepin Canal Trail Map (PDF)
Hennepin Canal Campground Maps (PDF)
East Section Map (PDF)
North Section Map (PDF)
West Section Map (PDF)
​Overall Map with Mileage (PDF)

More Information:
https://www.friends-hennepin-canal.org/

https://ebird.org/hotspot/L719639

https://bikehennepin.com/

https://www.americantrails.org/resources/hennepin-canal-parkway-illinois

https://www.qctrails.org/trails/trail/hennepin-canal-parkway-trail

https://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/2019/march/11/illinois-hennepin-canal-parkway/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hennepin_Canal_Parkway_State_Park

https://www.illinoisriverroad.org/places/united-states/illinois/sheffield/nature-outdoor-recreation/hennepin-canal-parkway-state-park/

https://www.enjoyillinois.com/explore/listing/hennepin-canal-bike-paths

https://www.hennepincanalstateparkfoundation.com/

https://www.facebook.com/HennepinCanalFoundationhttps://

www.facebook.com/groups/785327665377655/

https://www.facebook.com/HennepinCanalStatePark

Managed by:
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
16006 875 East Street
Sheffield IL 61361
815-915-1354
815-454-2328
[email protected]

*Prior to visiting, ALL prospective visitors should check hunting information on the IL DNR website
https://huntillinois.org/​ .
​Some sites may have signs indicating “Hunting in Progress” in place at the parking lots.
​Some will have NO indication of hunting.
Be AWARE ~ Be SAFE.