LMQC’s outdoor bloggers, Teri Stickler and Kaia, share pictures and impressions from their early fall trip to Mississippi Palisades Park in Savanna, IL and Iowa’s “island town”, Sabula.

By Teri Stickler and her Samoyed, Kaia

Autumn, one of the most rewarding times to take a drive upriver to the beautiful Mississippi Palisades State Park. Located in Savanna, Illinois, the park is a relaxing one-hour drive from the Quad Cities and is bound to please.

Teri and Kaia explore the wild places and spaces in and around the Quad Cities for LMQC.

Kaia and I followed Illinois Hwy 84 north to the park and on our return trip, we drove the Iowa side, taking U.S. Hwy. 67, following along the Mississippi, and back home.

There’s no place quite like the Palisades

One of the outstanding features of the park is that much of it is perched high on a bluff. Here Kaia and I were able to walk the paths taken by those who were here long before us, a thousand years ago. We stopped at several over-looks, Lookout Point, Ozzie’s Point, and Louis’ Point, where we took in the most fantastic view of the joining of both the Mississippi and Apple rivers.

Be sure to take some binoculars when you come, (and of course your camera). You’ll enjoy scanning the horizon and zooming in on pleasure boats as well as grand river boats as they make their way up and down the Mississippi.

Cruising on the Mississippi is a great way to see the river valley.

If you’re fortunate to be there at just the right time, you may even see the new Viking Mississippi excursion boat come by, or an American Cruise Lines excurion boat (the American Queen or American Duchess, or even the American Melody).

Both will give you a good idea as to where the various excursion boats are in their routes up and down stream. You will also be able to track other excursion boats besides the two included here.

From these sites, you might time your visit to be there as one of these gorgeous boats pass by. Then, the only decision you’ll have to make is if you’d rather see the boats from high above as do the eagles, or be down on the river front, up close and personal to these “grand ships.”

The day we were there, we did not get to see any of the large excursion boats, though once back to the Quad Cities, a few days after our trip, all four of the ships mentioned here, came through the Quad Cities, and what a wonderful site to see.

2,500 acres of natural beauty

Palisades Park is quite large, covering 2,500 acres. Its limestone bluffs have been eroded over time, creating interesting rock formations. There is Indian Head and Twin Sisters to name two of the most prominent.

The wooded areas, with their deep ravines, will treat with to a full pallet of color come autumn. Then in the spring months, those same areas fill in with wildflowers, trillium, ladies’ slipper, and bluebell to name but a few.

Trail maps are available at the park office and are also displayed on signage at trail entrances. As you hike, 5 trails make up 15 miles of trail system in the park. Some are more rugged than others. The trails on the northern end of the park are a bit less strenuous than are those of the south end. Oak Point has a trail accessible for those physically challenged.

Kaia and I hiked Sunset Trail and Sentinel Trail, all the time watching for wild turkey, pileated woodpeckers, deer, muskrat and weasel as well as mink and fox, all who make the park their home. Although most of my exploration was with my eyes and ears, Kaia had the advantage of that stupendous nose to aide in her discoveries.

On a hike? Respect the wildlife, please.

Just a heads up. Be sure to check before you make your trip to the park, as the hiking trails are closed during the park’s firearm deer seasons.

Because the Mississippi River is a causeway for bird migration, spring and fall are the perfect time to view eagles, geese, heron, egrets, pelican, and a huge variety of ducks, making their way north or south along the river’s avenue.

Outdoor recreational amenities abound

The park has many picnic tables as well as shelters, some of which can be reserved, others are on a first come basis. Shelters have a water fountain.We brought a picnic lunch and just sat and had a relaxing afternoon.

If you have the time and would like to do some camping, the park has 241 Class A and B sites. There are electrical hookups available at some of the sites. Flush toilets and showers are available from May 1-Oct. 31.

If you fish or boat, the backwaters of the Mississippi are perfect. Catfish and carp are often caught, but bluegill, crappie and bass can be hooked too. Launch ramps can be used for free at the river access area.

As long as you’re road-trippin’ swing by Sabula, Iowa

Just in case you are so inclined, Kaia and I, on taking the Iowa side home, crossed the new (2017) Savanna bridge over the Mississippi. After crossing the bridge, you will find yourself on a long causeway.

You can turn onto an island park where one can stop, fish or picnic, then continuing, you’ll come to Sabula, Iowa’s island town. There we found a fun ice cream stand, so of course we had to try it out. Kaia got a little vanilla ice cream in a cup, then proceeded to think I should share my chocolate malt with her too.

I’ll let you figure out what happened.

But I will say, if you need a little pick-me-up for your drive home, just know that ice cream stand is along the way. Also, we did run into a slight detour as we neared Camanche, Iowa. Those road repairs should be completed soon, but on this day, it did slow down our return trip and we could have taken U.S. Hwy 61 instead of U.S. Hwy 67.

Whatever you decide to do, we know you’ll enjoy the park.

Additional Links (all links open in a new window):

• Mississippi Palisades State Park (General Information)
• Mississippi Palisades Map
• Background information on the historic Sabula Bridge
• Sabula, Iowa’s amazing little island

Check out Teri and Kaia’s pictures from their most recent adventure …

By Teri Stickler and her Samoyed, Kaia

Autumn, one of the most rewarding times to take a drive upriver to the beautiful Mississippi Palisades State Park. Located in Savanna, Illinois, the park is a relaxing one-hour drive from the Quad Cities and is bound to please.

Teri and Kaia explore the wild places and spaces in and around the Quad Cities for LMQC.

Kaia and I followed Illinois Hwy 84 north to the park and on our return trip, we drove the Iowa side, taking U.S. Hwy. 67, following along the Mississippi, and back home.

There’s no place quite like the Palisades

One of the outstanding features of the park is that much of it is perched high on a bluff. Here Kaia and I were able to walk the paths taken by those who were here long before us, a thousand years ago. We stopped at several over-looks, Lookout Point, Ozzie’s Point, and Louis’ Point, where we took in the most fantastic view of the joining of both the Mississippi and Apple rivers.

Be sure to take some binoculars when you come, (and of course your camera). You’ll enjoy scanning the horizon and zooming in on pleasure boats as well as grand river boats as they make their way up and down the Mississippi.

Cruising on the Mississippi is a great way to see the river valley.

If you’re fortunate to be there at just the right time, you may even see the new Viking Mississippi excursion boat come by, or an American Cruise Lines excurion boat (the American Queen or American Duchess, or even the American Melody).

Both will give you a good idea as to where the various excursion boats are in their routes up and down stream. You will also be able to track other excursion boats besides the two included here.

From these sites, you might time your visit to be there as one of these gorgeous boats pass by. Then, the only decision you’ll have to make is if you’d rather see the boats from high above as do the eagles, or be down on the river front, up close and personal to these “grand ships.”

The day we were there, we did not get to see any of the large excursion boats, though once back to the Quad Cities, a few days after our trip, all four of the ships mentioned here, came through the Quad Cities, and what a wonderful site to see.

2,500 acres of natural beauty

Palisades Park is quite large, covering 2,500 acres. Its limestone bluffs have been eroded over time, creating interesting rock formations. There is Indian Head and Twin Sisters to name two of the most prominent.

The wooded areas, with their deep ravines, will treat with to a full pallet of color come autumn. Then in the spring months, those same areas fill in with wildflowers, trillium, ladies’ slipper, and bluebell to name but a few.

Trail maps are available at the park office and are also displayed on signage at trail entrances. As you hike, 5 trails make up 15 miles of trail system in the park. Some are more rugged than others. The trails on the northern end of the park are a bit less strenuous than are those of the south end. Oak Point has a trail accessible for those physically challenged.

Kaia and I hiked Sunset Trail and Sentinel Trail, all the time watching for wild turkey, pileated woodpeckers, deer, muskrat and weasel as well as mink and fox, all who make the park their home. Although most of my exploration was with my eyes and ears, Kaia had the advantage of that stupendous nose to aide in her discoveries.

On a hike? Respect the wildlife, please.

Just a heads up. Be sure to check before you make your trip to the park, as the hiking trails are closed during the park’s firearm deer seasons.

Because the Mississippi River is a causeway for bird migration, spring and fall are the perfect time to view eagles, geese, heron, egrets, pelican, and a huge variety of ducks, making their way north or south along the river’s avenue.

Outdoor recreational amenities abound

The park has many picnic tables as well as shelters, some of which can be reserved, others are on a first come basis. Shelters have a water fountain.We brought a picnic lunch and just sat and had a relaxing afternoon.

If you have the time and would like to do some camping, the park has 241 Class A and B sites. There are electrical hookups available at some of the sites. Flush toilets and showers are available from May 1-Oct. 31.

If you fish or boat, the backwaters of the Mississippi are perfect. Catfish and carp are often caught, but bluegill, crappie and bass can be hooked too. Launch ramps can be used for free at the river access area.

As long as you’re road-trippin’ swing by Sabula, Iowa

Just in case you are so inclined, Kaia and I, on taking the Iowa side home, crossed the new (2017) Savanna bridge over the Mississippi. After crossing the bridge, you will find yourself on a long causeway.

You can turn onto an island park where one can stop, fish or picnic, then continuing, you’ll come to Sabula, Iowa’s island town. There we found a fun ice cream stand, so of course we had to try it out. Kaia got a little vanilla ice cream in a cup, then proceeded to think I should share my chocolate malt with her too.

I’ll let you figure out what happened.

But I will say, if you need a little pick-me-up for your drive home, just know that ice cream stand is along the way. Also, we did run into a slight detour as we neared Camanche, Iowa. Those road repairs should be completed soon, but on this day, it did slow down our return trip and we could have taken U.S. Hwy 61 instead of U.S. Hwy 67.

Whatever you decide to do, we know you’ll enjoy the park.

Additional Links (all links open in a new window):

• Mississippi Palisades State Park (General Information)
• Mississippi Palisades Map
• Background information on the historic Sabula Bridge
• Sabula, Iowa’s amazing little island

Check out Teri and Kaia’s pictures from their most recent adventure …