Hennepin Canal Parkway

This canal-turned-bike path was built in 1907 to connect the Illinois River with the Mississippi. However, the project was soon abandoned in favor of railroads, which were just more efficient in terms of transporting goods. Now, it boasts over 104-miles of a paved trail that crosses through five different counties of northwestern Illinois. The entire canal is part of the National Register of Historic Places, as the locks and aqueducts are still very well-maintained. As you travel along the canal, you will see how the scenery changes from farmland and forest to grasslands and marsh, keeping you on your toes the entire length of the ride.