Jane Addams Trail :
Illinois, Wisconsin
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Description:
Stretching almost 13 miles from Freeport, Illinois, north to the Wisconsin state line, the Jane Addams Trail is a natural wonder. Expect to see birds and wild animals-from exotic aerial hunters such as owls and hawks to run-of-the-mill squirrels and deer. The trail is closed every fall during deer-hunting season, and snowmobiling is allowed when there are at least 4 inches of snow on the trail. (Winter users are encouraged to wear bright-colored clothing so they are visible to snowmobilers.)
The trail is named for the renowned humanitarian and Nobel Peace Prize winner who grew up in Cedarville, less that 2 mile from the trail. The home Jane Addams was raised in, and her gravesite, can be visited in Cedarville.
Starting in Freeport, the crushed limestone trail enters a heavily wooded area that supports a wide variety of trees and birds-and likely some school groups as well. The natural attractions make for popular educational field trips. (Fortunately, the parking lot in Freeport can easily accommodate the school buses.)
As you travel from Freeport to Orangeville, you will be able to enjoy many nice views of some jutting rock sides and local creeks. These vistas are peppered amongst the other wooded areas and more common fields of agriculture that predominate the landscape.
In the town of Orangeville, the Richland Creek trailhead provides a quiet and convenient place to end you trip. The location features a covered shelter and nearby gas station with refreshments. If you brought your camera, be sure to get a photo near the Orangeville sign to commemorate your Jane Addams Trail trip.
The official end of the trail is at the Illinois-Wisconsin state line, but it is easy to miss, so pay close attention if you need to turn around at the border. The line is very close to a small, rural road leading to a quaint family farm on the left. At that road crossing, on the right side of the trail, there is a sign welcoming visitors to Illinois and the Jane Addams Trail; this is the state line.
Although the trail ends less than 3 miles north of Orangeville, your adventure can continue on Wisconsin's Badger State Trail (PAGE XX) and the 50-plus miles of rail-trail that lead to Madison.

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Parking & Trail Access:
To access the southern trailhead in Freeport, follow State Route 26 north from US Route 20. Turn west on Fairview Road and follow it all the way to the trailhead on the left.
To access the Richland Creek trailhead in Oranngeville, from State Route 26, turn right on Orangeville Road/ E 2nd Street. The trailhead is on the left at the large white shelter.

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Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
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A warning about parking
By wzimmerman12 in September, 2011
I walked this trail this summer and I think it's as nice a trail as you are likely to find - I highly recommend it. However, a word of warning to those who want to park at the South trailhead near Freeport: you can no longer get to the parking lot by turning West off highway 26 onto Fairview Road North of the intersection of Highway 26 and Highway 20, as the intersection where Fairview Road used to cross Highway 20 has been completely removed due to a road construction project. To get to the lot you must now turn West off Highway 26 onto Riverside Drive South of the intersection of with Highway 20 and follow that road along South of Highway 20 until it eventually meets the West end of Fairview Road, and then proceed on to the parking lot.
Very Nice Trail
By jschlau in August, 2010
I recently completed the northern leg of the Grand Illinois Trail from Galena to Elgin. I was on the Jane Addams Trail on August 4th, 2010 from Buena Vista to the southern end at Route 20. The trail is a well compacted fine gravel/limestone and was in excellent condition in spite of the recent heavy rains in the area. A crew from Stephenson County was on the trail repairing washouts and gopher holes. According to the crew, the trail is scheduled to connect with the Pecatonica Prarie Trail next year. Stephenson County will take over maintenance up to Winnebago County when the 2 trails are joined.

I did not venture into the nearby towns to check out the services though. The road connection between the south end of the JA and the Pecatonica Prarie Trail was a series of open and quiet roads.
Real nice
By asinca in June, 2010
Rode this trail today from the Badger State trail about half way to Freeport. It is a great place to ride. Plenty of places to eat and drink along the way. Oragneville has a nice trail access point with johns, picknick shelter etc. There is also a gas station minimart and town is right there. I got a good look at a bald eagle there circling around the prairie there very low and slow. I saw a deer also. The only thing is the chipmunks love to burrow in the trail. Worse than that some bigger rodents are also leaving large burrow openings along the way so watch out for them. All And all I would give this trail a solid A
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