I&m Canal Trail, Illinois, United States

5.0 (1 review) Spent Ranking #5 in Lockport Biking Trails • Hiking Trails • Jogging Paths & Tracks

Historically important and entertaining Trail

I rode my bike on the I&M Canal Trail from Joliet to Lemont going through the towns of Romeoville and Lockport, covering a distance of approximately 13 miles, while the full I&M Canal Trail runs (somewhat disjointed in places) about seventy miles from La Salle to Willow Springs along the old canal towpath. The trail is marked with unmissable mile markers along with historical vignettes. Also, educational placards are posted frequently about the history of the canal and the stories of those who built and traveled the waterway. The trail surface varies, from crushed limestone, with the section through downtown Lockport being asphalt paved. Great views of the canal and the Canal Locks are available along the trail. The trailhead in Joliet is at the Joliet Iron Works Historic Site where one can explore the remnants of what was once the second largest steel mill in the country. This is a worthwhile stop on the trail. The pretty smooth trail continues on to Lockport where the trail assumes a historic nature with more frequent historical markers. This section through Lockport is beautiful, shady, running right by the canal. On the way out of Lockport, the trail begins to feel industrial running next to an oil tank farm. At the Romeo Road underpass in Romeoville, the trail has a break, and continues on to the Centennial Trail on the west side of the canal. In Lemont, the trail is part of a nice park just off Front Street, with easy access to restaurants and shops downtown. The trail continues through the historical limestone quarries and covers both sides of the canal, and goes past a new sports park called the Forge. But, the trail ends kind of unceremoniously in the north at the fence of a refinery. The I&M Canal Trail is a great opportunity to learn the interesting history of the canal.
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