Bureau County: Waterways, Nature and History

The Hennepin Canal State Trail is a 104.5-mile linear park that stretches through five Illinois counties, including Bureau County. Here, waterways and natural areas meet places with a layered history. To help plan your visit, the county offers opportunities for hiking and biking as well as destinations for boating, fishing, and museum visits.

Natural Areas and Trails

The towpath along the Hennepin Canal offers 155 miles for hiking and biking. The canal was built from 1892 to 1907 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Boating and canoeing are also possible on the canal; be sure to account for portages when planning. The canal thus combines a historic structure with different ways to spend time outdoors.

Miller-Anderson Woods features old-growth oak-hickory upland forests, maple-basswood forests, sedge meadows, seepage slopes, and hill prairie communities. The McCune Sand Prairie Land and Water Reserve protects sand prairie and sand forest communities that provide habitat for threatened and endangered species. Both areas showcase different natural environments within the county.

Hormel Ponds lies in a basin surrounded by wooded bluffs, wetlands, the Hennepin Canal, and flooded bottomland forests. State fish stocking there supplements the ponds’ natural repopulation. The Donnelley/DePue Complex covers 3,015 acres and includes a variety of wetland habitats. Large areas are managed for waterfowl feeding, nesting, resting, hunting, and viewing.

Water Activities and Parks

Mautino State Fish and Wildlife Area covers 900 acres on a former strip-mining site. Its 16 ponds and lakes offer opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and boating. The area is open year-round; conditions on site may change seasonally. Fish species found there include largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, bullhead catfish, and crappie. Boat ramps are available at Boss Lake and Osprey Lake.

For peaceful boating trips to the Illinois River, Barto Landing provides access via a lagoon and three ramps. Activities available there include boating, water skiing, fishing, and swimming. The Donnelley/DePue State Fish and Wildlife Areas also offer opportunities for boating and fishing on the Illinois River. Whether you prefer to explore trails or spend time on the water, different activities take center stage around the county.

The 65-acre City-County Park combines trails with picnic and barbecue areas, a log cabin, a playground, a sports field, and restrooms. It brings together several options for spending time outdoors in one place.

History and Culture

The Bureau County History Center operates three museum buildings and a research library. Guided tours featuring artifacts and stories from the county offer a glimpse into regional history. Museum tours are offered Fridays and Saturdays from 12 to 5 p.m.; the last available tour begins at 4 p.m. Check the hours before you arrive.

The Tiskilwa Historical Society Museum explores Tiskilwa’s history across six galleries. Topics include Indigenous cultures, the town itself, the military and schools, as well as the Hennepin Canal, agriculture, railroads, and churches. The Lovejoy Homestead was a stop on the Underground Railroad and home to the Denham and Lovejoy families for nearly 100 years. The grounds also include the one-room Colton Schoolhouse, which was moved there in 1971 from its original location 2.5 miles farther east.

The Owen Lovejoy House is a historic house museum dating to 1838 and associated with abolitionist and congressman Owen Lovejoy. Another distinctive attraction is the Captain Swift Covered Bridge. Built in 2006, it is the only two-lane covered bridge in Illinois.

Princeton, Markets, and Events

Princeton is located on Interstate 80; Routes 6, 26, 29, and 34 also intersect in the city. As a rough regional reference, Bureau County is about an hour east of the Quad Cities and two hours west of downtown Chicago. When planning your hotel stay, these distances and road connections can help you include the county in your trip.

Regular farmers markets in Bureau County offer strawberries, sweet corn, vegetables, and freshly baked goods; dates may vary. The Historic Bureau County Fair is a recurring five-day event with activities and entertainment for all ages. The annual Homestead Festival takes place in September, honors Reverend Owen Lovejoy, and includes a weekend of activities. Dates and programs change from year to year.

In Princeton, Festival 56 presents historical and contemporary plays and musicals, from works by William Shakespeare to compositions from the Broadway generation. Its program also changes annually. Together, the markets, events, museums, and natural areas offer different reasons to shape your time in Bureau County around your interests.

Explore More Destinations

Explore more destinations: Spring Valley, Ladd, Edgar, Mchenry, De Witt, Wabash County, Pulaski County, Adams.

For the main travel overview: Illinois.