About this page

We wanted to share some of our favorite recreation spots with those that might be interested. We enjoy biking, hiking, and camping - mainly in Illinois and Wisconsin. This summer we are going to expand our adventures to water and start kayaking. Living in the western suburbs of Chicago, you will notice that most sites described below are within a short drive.



Fox River Trail
This trail is paved and is used for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and jogging. It runs along the banks of the Fox River and stretches from Algonquin to Aurora, Illinois. You will have to snake through town in St. Charles and South Elgin, but most of the trail closely follows the river. In some areas the trails parallel the river on both the east and west side.

Illinois Prairie Path
This packed limestone trail spans approximately 61 miles in Cook, DuPage and Kane Counties in northeastern Illinois along the old Chicago Aurora & Elgin electric railroad right-of-way. The view from the trail is mostly suburbia, but most of the trails are shaded and provide for a pleasant, smooth ride. Parts of the Aurora branch are not shaded and under power lines - not our favorite part of the trail.

Old Abe State Trail
This is 19.5-mile paved trail along an abandoned railroad grade. The trail parallels the Chippewa River and connects two State Parks, from Chippewa Falls to Cornell, Wisconsin. It is a multi-use trail for bicyclists, snowmobiles, hikers, horse back riders and inline skaters. Most of the trail is through prairie land and you can only see the river at a few locations.



Apple River Canyon
This park is in the hilly northwest part of Illinois in Jo Daviess County near the Wisconsin border. There are 5 trails that wind through the scenic canyon area formed by the Apple River.

Mississippi Palisades
This is a 2,500-acre Park located where the Mississippi and Apple rivers converge in northwestern Illinois approximately 3 miles north of Savanna. The park has a 13-mile trail system. The five trails in the northern part of the park are generally wider and easy-going. But for the adventurous souls, there are five in the southern part of the park that are narrow and rocky, close to the bluff, and definitely more fun!

Starved Rock State Park
This park is located along the south side of the Illinois River, one mile south of Utica and midway between the cities of LaSalle-Peru and Ottawa, Illinois. There are 13 miles of well-marked trails that allow you to explore the Park's beautiful bluffs and canyons.



Apple River Canyon
This park is in the hilly northwest part of Illinois in Jo Daviess County near the Wisconsin border. The park has about 50 campsites but does not have any showers or electricity. The campsites are wooded and private and you might even find yourself alone in the campground mid-week.

Brunet Island State Park
This park is located at the confluence of the Chippewa and Fisher rivers, near Cornell is northwest Wisconsin. A family favorite for many years, this campground offers swimming, canoeing, fishing and hiking. This campground offers both electrical and non-electric sites. A shower building with flush toilets is located at the electric campground. A majority of the non-electric sites are adjacent to water. You can fish or canoe right from you campsite!

Mississippi Palisades
This is a 2,500-acre park located where the Mississippi and Apple rivers converge in northwestern Illinois approximately 3 miles north of Savanna. The Palisades has over 200 campsites in both shaded and open areas. Electrical hookups, showers and flush toilets are also available. Reservations are not accepted, but we were able to find a descent spot on a busy holiday weekend.

Gov. Dodge State Park
This park is located in southwestern Wisconsin and is one of the state's largest state parks, with 5,270 scenic acres of steep hills, bluffs, and deep valleys plus two lakes and a waterfall. The park has 269 campsites with a few walk-in and backpack sites. We had a pleasant stay at a walk-in site adjacent to a picturesque ravine.

Rock Cut State Park
This 3,092 acres park is located north of Rockford, Illinois off of I-90. The park has two lakes - one used for fishing and the other for swimming. The park offers 28 sites for reservation and 240 sites on a first-come first-serve basis. Electrical hookups, showers and flush toilets are also available. About 50 sites are down by the lake - they are not very private but they offer an awesome view of the lake. The locals snatch up the sites quickly on the weekends so get there early.

Shabbona State Park
This park is located off US 30 just 22 miles west of Sugar Grove, Illinois. The campground has 150 sites with electricity and a shower building with flush toilets. The lake is very popular for fishing. A 10-mile trail circles the lake through prairie land and forest. Being so close to home, it is a great place for a weekend escape. The locals snatch up the sites quickly on the weekends so get there early.



Brunet Island State Park
This park is located at the confluence of the Chippewa and Fisher rivers, near Cornell is northwest Wisconsin. With many channels to explore between the rivers, this park is a great place for canoeing. A majority of the non-electric camp sites are adjacent to water so you can pull your canoe right up to your site!

Wailua River - Kauia, Hawaii
We got our taste for kayaking on our honeymoon in Kauai. We took an organized group tour up the Wailua River on the east coast of the island. Although we weren't too thrilled with the tour group, the kayaking was fun as well as the hike up to a hidden waterfall (our destination).