Casper Bluff Land and Water Reserve, Illinois, United States

4.5 (64 reviews) Spent Ranking #16 in Galena Nature & Wildlife Areas

Gorgeous views and trails

We were SO glad we drove the couple miles south of downtown to this beautiful park. We were treated to 100s of American pelicans(we think) floating on the Mississippi River air currents. We walked our leashed dog through the trails of wild flowers. It was just gorgeous.

Address

870 S Pilot Knob Rd, Galena, IL 61036-9315

Website

http://www.jdcf.org/casper

Current local date and time now

Friday, May 10, 2024, 6:13

User Ratings

4.5 based on (64 reviews)

Excellent
62%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
5%
Terrible
2%

Reviews

  • 4Erica S 5:00 PM Oct 12, 2021
    Scenic Views, Unmarked Trails
    We decided to visit Casper Bluff while trying to take up time before our hotel check in. It's a really beautiful location. At first I thought we were on private property as the entry road is narrow, dirt and runs next to a farm but keep going and you'll reach the destination. We didn't walk the trails far as we began to notice there were no trail markings and we forgot to take a picture of the trail map at the beginning (please do this so you'll have something to reference). Overall the scenic views were wonderful and were the only people there at the time which make it even more peaceful. Make sure you have good shoes as the grass trails are lumpy with divots and sometimes on a slant which made for a more attentive walk than anticipated. Even without the trail markings, I'd still recommend checking this place out. I just wish we made it to the Thunderbird mound...next time.
    Galena Erica S review images Galena Erica S review images
  • 4hazelrabbit 5:00 PM May 22, 2021
    Beautiful place for a long walk.
    Visited this bluff/preserve area hoping to see Thunderbird Effigy but without proper signage we had no idea how far it was or what to look for. I love that the Galena Territory path ways are wide but the only signs we saw were 2 small arrows nailed to a 12 inch piece of wood. I imagine if you make it to the lookout point the view of the Mississippi River must be amazing. And if the effigy can be viewed that would be spectacular and a blessing given its Native American heritage. Maybe on the next trip there will be better signage or better yet an app that lays out the trails and history.

See also