Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail Lock 14 Park

 The canal was completed in 1848 to connect the Chicago River  to the Illinois River, creating a continuous waterway from Chicago to the Gulf of Mexico via the Illinois River to the Mississippi River. In twenty years, Chicago, formerly a small prairie town of a few thousand people, grew to be the busiest port in the US with a population of over 300,000. The canal was used until 1933 even though a parallel rail line was built in 1853. 

Today visitors can hike or bike along 60 miles of the canal trail. We parked at Lock 14 near the western end of the trail at La Salle, Illinois. A small park has interpretive signs and metal silhouettes of notable river travelers. During the summer visitors can take a short trip on the canal boat that's docked at the lock but this is the last year for the boat rides because the it's for sale - not surprising as it's in poor condition. 

We walked/rolled about two miles heading east along the trail. The trail is level and in fairly good condition. 

 

RVs will fit in the lot. Trail  41.32616, -89.09437