Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
The Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor follows the historic canal route that linked the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River watershed, a crucial factor in the mid-1800s development of Chicago and the broader Midwest. Stretching roughly 96 miles from Chicago to LaSalle-Peru, Illinois, the corridor encompasses a range of landscapes including riverfronts, wetlands, forest preserves, and historic small towns. This linear heritage corridor features numerous historic sites, canal locks, remnants of towpaths, and important cultural landmarks reflecting the engineering feats and commerce of the era. The Canal National Heritage Corridor is home to diverse ecosystems such as floodplain forests, wetlands, and prairie patches, supporting wildlife like waterfowl, beavers, and migratory birds. Visitors can explore extensive multi-use trails perfect for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, many following the original canal towpath. Canoeing and kayaking along segments of the Illinois River and the canal provide scenic water-based recreation opportunities. Landmark sites include the Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail, Lock 16, and the Ottawa Field Museum Locktender’s House. The corridor not only offers outdoor recreation but also a deep sense of historical interpretation through museums, interpretive centers, and public events. This heritage corridor serves as a greenway connecting urban, suburban, and rural communities while preserving an important chapter of Illinois and Midwest history.
