Rock Island Trail Historic Railroad Grade

The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad may have filed bankruptcy in 1980, but its ghost lives on in this 26-mile converted rail bed stretching from Peoria to Toulon through Bureau and Peoria counties. What freight trains once hauled at 60 mph, you’ll now tackle at a more civilized pace on crushed limestone ballast, crossing the original steel trestle over Spoon River at mile 18. The grade never exceeds 3 percent — railroad engineering at its finest — making this an ideal introduction to Illinois backcountry for families or stock vehicles.

Any vehicle with decent ground clearance can handle this route, though the crushed limestone can be soft after rain. Spring through fall offers prime conditions, with spectacular wildflower displays in May and June. No permits required, and several small towns along the route offer fuel and supplies. Multiple access points make this perfect for day trips or multi-day exploration of Illinois’s agricultural heartland. You’re following genuine transportation history while experiencing the prairie as the railroad builders first saw it.