Outdoor blogger, Teri Stickler and her 4-legged companion, Kaia, explore forest, prairie and the Mississippi River as they venture through Illiniwek Forest Preserve, located north of Hampton, IL.
By Teri Stickler and her Samoyed, Kaia
Hike it, bike it, picnic, camp, boat or fish, you’ll definitely find just the right place enjoy the Illiniwek Forest Preserve. Located north of Hampton, IL on IL-84, Illiniwek is situated on 174 acres along the Mississippi River.
Illiniwek’s history
The Rock Island County Forest Preserve Commission purchased these 174-acres in 1944 from Albert Oltman for $40,000. Because the “Oltman tract” was thought to be a popular place for Native American gatherings, the Forest Preserve was named Illiniwek, meaning a “favorite Indian spot.”
Illinois Route 84 divides the park in half. RV (water and electric hookups,) and primitive camping sites, a picnic shelter and playground, as well as a boat launch to the Mississippi River are located on the river side of the preserve.
A portion of the Grand Illinois Trail (GIT) bike trail and a section of the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) also meanders along this stretch. Located just across IL-84 are even more options as to how to spend the day.
Enjoy off-road biking, hiking trails through the forest, or a large prairie plot to meander. After all, since 60% of the state was once prairie, it is only appropriate that Illinois be nicknamed, “The Prairie State.”
Our hike in the forest preserve
The day we hiked the weather was a bit overcast and it was trying to rain, but none of that bothered us in the least. The tree cover was protective, and we basically had the place all to ourselves.
We walked at our own pace, pausing wherever Kaia found something worth further exploration. A look here and smell there. I’m sure she was aware of much more of what had passed along the route prior to our coming.
It was a day of beauty and the serenity.
Visiting Lock and Dam #14
About halfway through the hike we reached an overlook area which afforded a wonderful view of the Mississippi River and Lock and Dam #14. This stop would make a perfect place to open a sack lunch and just sit and enjoy.
As we came back down in elevation, Kaia found the perfect spot to grab a drink of cool creek water before we exited the trail system and changed gears to explore the nearby prairie plot.
The 10-acre prairie is well established. Thought has even been given to provide a walkway through the prairie, where one truly feels somewhat emersed in the experience of what these lands were once like prior to the great westward movement. The grass-trial is nearly a mile long and has 11 interpretive signs along the way to assist in identifying some of the native plants.
As we walked, we saw among other things, black-eyed Susan, and tall prairie grasses. There was also plenty of milkweed, a real treat for the monarch butterflies to feast.
Experiencing “Illiniwek” firsthand
Besides birds and butterflies, the prairie plants attract pollinators, many of which are classified as threatened, and some now have been put on the federal endangered species list. Kai and I were lucky enough to find both monarchs and bees.
Today’s experience was most certainly an “Illiniwek.”
Trail System Information
The trail system within the preserve includes five miles of single-track, hard-pack trail.
Because a large ravine divides the park and separates the trails, two systems exist, the North and the South loop. Some trails have been designated for one-way only travel while others alternate direction by day. Kaia and I traveled the counterclockwise, (CCW,) Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday direction.
Click here to open a downloadable map of forest trails.
Click here to open a downloadable map of the prairie trail.
Illiniwek Facebook Page | Illiniwek Forest Preserve Website
Check out Teri and Kaia’s pictures from their most recent adventure …
By Teri Stickler and her Samoyed, Kaia
Hike it, bike it, picnic, camp, boat or fish, you’ll definitely find just the right place enjoy the Illiniwek Forest Preserve. Located north of Hampton, IL on IL-84, Illiniwek is situated on 174 acres along the Mississippi River.
Illiniwek’s history
The Rock Island County Forest Preserve Commission purchased these 174-acres in 1944 from Albert Oltman for $40,000. Because the “Oltman tract” was thought to be a popular place for Native American gatherings, the Forest Preserve was named Illiniwek, meaning a “favorite Indian spot.”
Illinois Route 84 divides the park in half. RV (water and electric hookups,) and primitive camping sites, a picnic shelter and playground, as well as a boat launch to the Mississippi River are located on the river side of the preserve.
A portion of the Grand Illinois Trail (GIT) bike trail and a section of the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) also meanders along this stretch. Located just across IL-84 are even more options as to how to spend the day.
Enjoy off-road biking, hiking trails through the forest, or a large prairie plot to meander. After all, since 60% of the state was once prairie, it is only appropriate that Illinois be nicknamed, “The Prairie State.”
Our hike in the forest preserve
The day we hiked the weather was a bit overcast and it was trying to rain, but none of that bothered us in the least. The tree cover was protective, and we basically had the place all to ourselves.
We walked at our own pace, pausing wherever Kaia found something worth further exploration. A look here and smell there. I’m sure she was aware of much more of what had passed along the route prior to our coming.
It was a day of beauty and the serenity.
Visiting Lock and Dam #14
About halfway through the hike we reached an overlook area which afforded a wonderful view of the Mississippi River and Lock and Dam #14. This stop would make a perfect place to open a sack lunch and just sit and enjoy.
As we came back down in elevation, Kaia found the perfect spot to grab a drink of cool creek water before we exited the trail system and changed gears to explore the nearby prairie plot.
The 10-acre prairie is well established. Thought has even been given to provide a walkway through the prairie, where one truly feels somewhat emersed in the experience of what these lands were once like prior to the great westward movement. The grass-trial is nearly a mile long and has 11 interpretive signs along the way to assist in identifying some of the native plants.
As we walked, we saw among other things, black-eyed Susan, and tall prairie grasses. There was also plenty of milkweed, a real treat for the monarch butterflies to feast.
Experiencing “Illiniwek” firsthand
Besides birds and butterflies, the prairie plants attract pollinators, many of which are classified as threatened, and some now have been put on the federal endangered species list. Kai and I were lucky enough to find both monarchs and bees.
Today’s experience was most certainly an “Illiniwek.”
Trail System Information
The trail system within the preserve includes five miles of single-track, hard-pack trail.
Because a large ravine divides the park and separates the trails, two systems exist, the North and the South loop. Some trails have been designated for one-way only travel while others alternate direction by day. Kaia and I traveled the counterclockwise, (CCW,) Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday direction.
Click here to open a downloadable map of forest trails.
Click here to open a downloadable map of the prairie trail.
Illiniwek Facebook Page | Illiniwek Forest Preserve Website
Check out Teri and Kaia’s pictures from their most recent adventure …
Teri Stickler
Outdoor Blogger and Co-Adventurer
Meet Teri Stickler. Teri is a retired Quad-City teacher. She thoroughly enjoys the out-of-doors, sharing most of her adventures with her Samoyed companion, Kaia.
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