We took the trail on bikes from Morton to East Peoria along with a couple young children (7 & 8 years old). Between Morton & Pleasant Hill Rd. we passed several Park District maintenance people cutting grass and none of them nor any sign warned us of a closure in the trail about 1 mile past Pleasant Hill Rd. The trail was barricaded and closed at a point that was near impossible to turn around and go all the way back up the hill to Pleasant Hill Rd. with the small kids. So we had to find our way off the trail and over to Bloomington Rd. and travel the rest of the way (3 or 4 more miles) riding bikes with small children on the weaving road with cars speeding by. For the life of me I cannot figure what kind of demented mind would close a trail a good mile or two from any easy entry or exit point without posting any signs to warn people well in advance who were heading in that direction, forcing people to finish their journey on a main thoroughfare with traffic. But then, this is East Peoria, and I have seen idiocy like this before. Next time we will take the trail in Peoria instead.

We rode from Toulon to Dunlap and back. It was a beautiful day and the trail setting is very nice with a mix of woods and fields. The trail was in pretty good shape but you need to be alert for ground squirrel burrows. In the wooded sections there is a fair amount of debris so you need to watch out for the larger branches. It's fun riding but if you get too relaxed you may be jolted back to alertness by a branch or a hole.

The DNR web site lists several closures but there is really only one north of Princeville. Like the previous reviewer we rode around it on county roads to the east and it was no problem. The Toulon to Wyoming section has the worst trail conditions (but is perfectly rideable in spite of the trail closed signs) and we will probably start in Wyoming if we do it again.

We ride hybrids with reasonably wide tires and I'm not sure how much fun it would be on a road bike.

I rode from Wyoming to Toulon and back, then continued south to what used to be Stark, now a small group of homes, returning to Wyoming. The next day I rode from Wyoming to Peoria.

The trail was wet from rains both days, softening the low spots and leaving a few puddles. The rides were enjoyable, with a mix of farm and woods. Signage through the towns was adequate to find my way. Each town has stores that provide a snack or a restroom.

Wyoming has a great coffee shop that makes great baked goods and lunches in addition to their coffee. Next door is a gift shop worth a peek.

I detoured around the washout in the Rock Island Trail Nature Preserve by riding the paved township roads east of the preserve.

We just rode the trail from Princeville to Alta. Beware of the hog manure smell the first mile. My wife was overwhelmed by the smell. We would suggest that you find the trail the next road south of Princeville. We ended up parking in the park the 1st right after Casey's on route 90. The trail head can be accessed after the railroad tracks on the left.

Started this one at what is called the end, in Morton, Illinois. Nice place to park and get on. Fair amount of this part is flat and next to corn fields, then as you get out of town you get into some rolling hills. Nice areas that one would not normally see. You ride allow some of the Illinois river run offs near East Peoria. Following the trail once you get to East Peoria is at times confusing as you are turning and crossing roads and there are signs but at time hard to follow. I ended at a Steak N Shake on the river front and ate and then headed back. Great ride.

This is a very well-maintained trail (saw two separate work crews during my ride today) through some nice scenery. There is a relentless 2-3 mile hill about 1.5 miles from EP. I recommend parking near Bass Pro and heading towards Morton. There is a nice little riverfront park to park at. Unfortunately, the bathroom facilities were locked up (3:30 PM). The EP end is somewhat confusing, with many twists, turns, and road crossings. The markings are sparse, but now that I have ridden it once, it will be much easier. Trying to connect to the Rock Island trail in Peoria is a bit of an adventure, as you cross a huge bridge with a ton of truck traffic. Definitely not for the faint of heart! Overall nice trail once you figure it out.

This was awesome. Definitely start at Bass Pro and do the uphill when you first start. The ride back was amazing. Little confusing; turn left near Huck's to get on main trail just passed the chicken joint.

We rode this trail on a warm sunny Sunday, starting in Alta on the outskirts of Peoria, where the trail surface turns from asphalt to stone. There were quite a few people on the trail, but their numbers quickly thinned out as we headed north. Winds were from the west mainly across our path, and there were many stretches with tree cover that would block a wind in most any direction.

The surface is extremely smooth, packed stone with only a few rutted or washed-out spots and several animal holes to dodge or bounce over. I could have left the skinniest slick tires on my road bike rather than switch to the treaded 28's and still done fine.

In two towns along the way the trail leaves the railroad bed and proceeds on paved streets. In Dunlap we didn't see the trail access point a short way down a stone driveway, and rode a few blocks further and s short distance on the highway to rejoin the trail. In the larger town of Princeville some signage was missing entirely and we had to circle back to the railroad tracks and consult the trail map in order to find our way through. On the return trip the signs were a bit clearer.

At Wyoming, IL the trail again stops through town. The visitor center was closed on this Sunday (is it ever open?), but the bathrooms and water were available. On the other side of town where the trail restarts, a sign warned that the trail to Toulon was still closed from several years before. We did not proceed past here so I cannot say whether the bridge is out or if it's just that they never restored the trail from the old storm damage.

The return trip was uneventful with a few people sprinkled through the northern part of the trail, and much heavier use in the last couple miles to Alta. Overall a very good ride, and I would do it again.

Once you leave Mineral Springs Park, the trail is not marked. I had to ride along Broadway for a few blocks before finding it again. Then I lost it again down by where the old West Campus used to be. Once you get west of Eighth Street, you have to stop every block to watch for cars before crossing the street.

The trail is really better for walkers than for riders.