State: Illinois
Address 1: 311 E. Williams, P.O. Box 64
City: Wyoming
Zip: 61491
Phone: 309-695-2228
Open: Seasonal
Camp URL: http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/parks/r1/rockisle.htm
Full Hook: Yes
Beauty and solitude, away from the hustle and bustle of city traffic, await visitors at Rock Island Trail State Park. Stretching for 26 miles from Alta, in Peoria County, to Toulon, in Stark County, the park offers many natural and architectural attractions in a tree-canopied corridor that is only 50 to 100 feet wide.
Prairie grass and wildflowers co-exist as remnants of early rail travel along the trail. Just north of Alta, an arched culvert provides a lovely backdrop for the natural beauty of the area. At the Peoria and Stark County line, a tall grass prairie remnant provides a step back into time and allows visitors to see the Illinois that the early settlers experienced. Just a few miles from the Toulon access area, a trestle bridge spans the Spoon River between Wyoming and Toulon. A few miles further south, the Wyoming Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Depot stands as a mute testimony to the hundreds of passengers that traveled along the railway just 100 years ago.
Facilities and Activities
Improved access points to Rock Island Trail are at Alta, Wyoming and Toulon. Hikers, bikers and skiers will enjoy more than 26 miles of uninterrupted nature. Parking, water and pit toilets are located at access areas. Parking only facilities are located at Dunlap (on Parks School Road) and Peoria/Stark County line (North Cedar Bluff Road, 00N). Where the trail intersects the small towns along its route of city streets and sidewalks, directional signs are utilized.
The park office is in the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Depot located in Wyoming. The Depot serves as a visitor center/railroad museum and is a mute testimony to the hundreds of passengers that traveled along the railway just 100 years ago.
Only non-motorized traffic is allowed on the trail, and equestrian use is not permitted.
Camping
The Class D (primitive) camping area is located between Alta and Dunlap in the Kickapoo Creek Recreation Area and is accessible by trail only. Facilities include pit toilets, fire pads, picnic tables, picnic shelter and water. There is a self-pay camping station located off of Fox Road at the overnight parking lot.