Trail Section 9 — Jo Daviess County to Galena to Hanover Bluffs

Point-of-Interest  |   Food  |   Accommodations  |   Bike Shops  |   Print  |   Close Window

Point-of-Interest

• Apple River Canyon — The canyon in Apple River State park is 200 feet deep, carved by river water as well as glacial meltwater. Originally the area had been a drainage divide, but the torrent of glacial melt water found a sag in the divide and carved the canyon exposing the rock layers below the surface.
• Early lead mines — Galena was the key lead producing region in the country from the 1830’s through the 1860’s. The area is pockmarked with long-abandoned shallow crevice mines dug by pick-axe and shovel.
• Chestnut Mountain Resort — Alpine slide, 2,050 ft. long luge run down the west side of Chestnut Mountain – Great fun!
• Galena — Many things to see and do – Contact the Galena Visitor’s Bureau — www.galena.org
• Savanna Army Depot — Decommissioned as an Army facility. Will be come the new site of the Grand Illinois Trail in several years.
• Hanover Bluffs Illinois Nature Preserve — A 450 acre natural area that is home to 9 state-endangered or threatened species living in 6 different ecosystems including rare sand hill and dolomite prairies and dolomite cliffs.

Food

Galena

• See the Visitors Bureau at www.galena.org or 1-877-464-2536 Chestnut Mountain Resort - Blackjack Road (8 miles south of Galena). www.chestnutmtn.com, 800-397-1320

Accommodations — Motel/Hotel/B&B

Apple River Canyon

• Peaceful Pines Cottage, East Canyon Rd. (100 yds. east of the state park office) 815-745-2536

Galena

• Many accommodations, www.galena.org or call 1-877-464-2536

South Galena

• Chestnut Mountain Resort, Blackjack Road (8 miles south of Galena) www.chestnutmtn.com, 800-397-1320

Hanover

• The Artful Lodger, 500 Washington St., 815-591-2365

Accommodations — Campgrounds

Apple River Canyon State Park

• 8763 E. Canyon Road, Apple River, IL 61001, 815.745.3302

  Reservations are not accepted, sites are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Camping permits must be obtained at the park office. More information: http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/PARKS/R1/APPLE.HTM#Camping

Galena

• Palace Campground, 11357 Rte. 20 West, 815-777-2466

  This campground is about 2 miles north of Galena on busy Rte. 20 (take Franklin St. from the north end of downtown Galena as a safer "back route" to the campground).

• Blandings Landing Campground & Tavern, at Lock & Dam #12, (16 miles south of Galena. Take Blackjack to S. Blanding Rd. to the campground) 815-591-3346

Bike Shops

Galena

• Velo City Sports, 11400 US Highway 20 West, 815-776-9075