Mississippi Palisades State Park Illinois

 

I visited Mississippi Palisades Park as part of my journey along the northern part of the river. It is a beautiful setting along the shore road with camping facilities, hiking trails, and more.

I headed up the Highpoint Trail first. the trails are well marked. it was slick in parts due to rain. and they wisely advise using insect repellent.

Before leaving the area, I walked across the road, over the railway tracks, and down by the river. There's a boat launch area.

Mississippi River, G Sutton 2020

There are camping areas, restrooms, trails

Look up the website for more information- I was there during the Covid-19 pandemic so I do not know what is available or what rules may limit activities.

Morton Arboretum

I visited the Morton Arboretum in March so my view lacked Spring foliage and flowers, summer green, autumn colors, or winter snowscapes. I say this to give context to my perspective that this place is nice but the entry fee did not offer much more than can be found in many well-maintained parks.

I spent most of several hours on various trails through different treescapes. I appreciated the great variety of trees and saw a small variety of birds plus a few squirrels.

The Arboretum is worth a visit and I suspect it would be great to visit often if living nearby. 

In addition to the trails, there are educational programs as well as mazes and play areas for children. 

The store and cafe were inviting but as usual in similar places, the prices are not cheap. The toilets were clean and well-maintained. 

There appears to be plenty of parking. 

Check the website for details on  fees and events.