Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Hennepin Canal adventure.
From boating to biking to snowmobiling, year-round adventures and spectacular scenery await.
Step back in time in this sprawling 104.5-mile park, spanning five Illinois counties. Bridges and locks built from 1892 to 1907 provide lots to explore on the water. On land, a 155-mile smooth trail runs from the Illinois River to Rock River.
You can choose how you want to get around the park. Visitors can canoe, boat, hike, bike or ride horseback along the canal. Some parts of the trail also are open for snowmobiling in the winter.
Fishing in this regularly stocked waterway yields a wealth of bluegill, crappie, and bass. A playground is near the Visitor Center, and picnic tables are scattered along the canal. The Visitor Center also has displays that illustrate the canal’s history and its engineering innovations.
Class C and youth campsites are located at several points along the canal. Equestrian camping also is available. None of the campgrounds accept reservations.