LMQC Outdoors blogger, Wade Ellett, suggests you take a little time to check out these places of peace and beauty within driving distance of the Quad Cities.

By Wade Ellett, LMQC Outside Blogger

Hike, fish, snow shoe or ski at Cedar Valley Park

West Branch, IA

Some angler friends of mine suggested I head here to hike around the old quarries, where they like to fish.

A reader also suggested a visit here would be worth my time; she lives right down the road and enjoys snowshoeing here in the winter.

A combination of river bottom land and upland forest, the trail system here isn’t huge, but you can easily get in a few miles.

Once snow falls, you’ll be able to snowshoe, cross country ski, or just strap on some boots and take on the trail!

Explore the trails and bridge crossing at Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area

Muscatine, IA

Trails and Bridge Crossing

I was drawn to Saulsbury Bridge because of the park’s namesake bridge.

The old bridge across the Cedar River was closed to vehicle traffic in the sixties, and all but two spans were destroyed in a fire in the 70s, but the remaining 2 spans are open to foot traffic.

There are also some great trails from the camping area that lead into some great woodland trails.

Be advised, this area is open to public hunting, so be sure to wear bright colors (I recommend an inexpensive orange hunting vest).

You’ll find fire towers, horseback riding and more at Big River State Forest

Keithsburg, IL

Big River State Forest is an interesting spot about an hour’s drive from Rock Island.

I love fire towers, and Big River is home to one, located at the headquarters area. Want to climb inside? You can, but you have to go when the office is open, otherwise the gate is locked.

What else can you do here? In a word, lots.

We hiked the Big Pines Trail, but you can also enjoy Lincoln’s Trail, and Wilderness Trail, as well as explore the 60-mile network of firebreaks interlacing the forest.

There are designated horseback riding trails, and 30 miles of marked snowmobile trails.

You’ll even find roughly 15 miles of scenic roadways, or “auto trails,” where you can slowly drive through the picturesque forest.

Of course, I tend to favor exploring on foot, but the scenic roads are a great compromise if you have guests who can’t hike too far.

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Even though we tend to think of outdoor recreation as a primarily summer activity, now is great time to get outside. Nothing is better than a winter hike and some old-fashioned hot cocoa!

Happy hiking everybody!