Centennial Trail – I&M Canal Trail

The I & M Canal Trail is among the best bike trails in northern Illinois. Most of the trail is between Joliet and Lasalle/​Peru. There is also a section from northeast Joliet to Lockport. The trail then turns into the Centennial Trail in Lockport and goes all the way to Willow Springs where it again runs along the canal. Most parts of this trail are very good with the best being, IMO, from Joliet all the way to Morris. Ottawa to Lasalle is also very nice. West of Utica you can see a train tunnel cut through a bluff. You don’t see that in flat, ugly, northern Illinois:) The worst part is from Seneca to Marsailles which I recently rode. Unless you set a goal of completing the entire trail, I would skip this part. The trail is not well maintained (it’s still not bad) and there is absolutely nothing to see. Although I rode the Marsailles to Ottawa section years ago, I cannot entirely recall what it was like. Since I do not recall, I will assume it is more of what I experienced from Seneca to Marsailles. BTW, between Channahon and Morris there are huge groves of lily pads in full bloom late in the season that are well worth seeing.

This is a really nice trail that runs near the I&M Canal. This trail head is right off of Romeo Road with a little parking area for your convenience. The path is a few miles long and paved so almost everyone on it totes their bikes along.
I bring my son here quite a bit to walk since the paved trail is easier for him and the head is right next to an old bridge over a marsh. The rail runs right through lush woods so it’s a nice cool walk. We have seen deer here too so there is always something to look for. We really enjoy it.