The Grand Illinois Trail - Recommended Trip 3 - Long Prairie Trail

The Grand Illinois Trail portion of the Long Prairie Trail is a quiet, bucolic trail located in northern Boone County. Its nine miles connect Capron with Caledonia; both communities provide parking access to the trail.

Along the trail you will notice many native plant species that are the remnants of the oak savannas and prairies that once blanketed northern Illinois. The trail is built on an abandoned rail line, where native vegetation was preserved during the past 150 years, safe from the plow. Sparks from the passing trains would often ignite the dry grasses, encouraging the prairie to survive by adapting to periodic burnings.

The asphalt trail provides a safe opportunity for long distance bicycling, skating, and walking with very few crossroads. Interpretive signs which explain the history of the area as well as specifics about the former rail line dot the path.

Within the next five years, the Long Prairie Trail will be extended to Rock Cut State Park on the west. Within the next two years, it will be connected to Harvard on the east.

Call the Boone County Conservation District (815-547-7935) for the "Long Prairie Trail" brochure for detailed background on the route.

For more detailed information and access to a printed map see Section 5.

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