Find the top rated atv trails in Sterling, whether you're looking for an easy short atv trail or a long atv trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a atv trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
(8/13/2025) - Beautiful day for a ride on the Jane Addams. Trail was in very good condition and it was a smooth ride all the way from Tutty's Crossing in Freeport to the Wisconsin state line (Badger State Trail in WI). Everything was green and lush and the country side scenery was beautiful. The Addams people do a very fine job of maintaining their trail. One of my favorites to ride every year! Highly recommended. Of course, don't forget to stop at Union Dairy afterwards for some delicious ice cream. It's the best.
Just finished riding this trail over four days. They were in the middle of repaving a section which I thought was great but right along route 84 very scary and hazardous.. you either had to walk your bike through the grass, or take your chances on the highway. The trail is poorly marked when you have to take secondary roads to reconnect with the trail, especially when you’re heading towards Moline.. good places to stay very close to the trail and there is no problem finding any place to eat. I’ve ridden it once that will probably be my only time I will ride this trail..
We started the duck creek trail at the west trailhead. There had been an ef2 tornado three days earlier, so we did have to go around some downed tree limbs. But about 1/2 mile down the trail, it was closed due to what appears to be a new road construction. Since we could see where the trail might start again, we drove to the eastern riverdale trailhead. Glad we did. GREAT trail. Scenic and shady which was good since it was 85 and humid.
This is a great view and look out. It now connects the Ia trail and Illinois trails it’s a good ride!
This is such a cool trail corridor, but it's a bit of an adventure to ride it. The scenery is great--there's some neat canal lock remains, the trail has lots of shade, and there aren't a lot of road crossings. It's also nice that the trail passes through several towns, so there are good opportunities for meals or snacks. The trail itself is just okay. It is mostly dirt, with a little gravel, and is rather over-grown for large sections. Many sections are basically single track--keep your wheels on the narrow dirt trail and it's smooth, but it's grass and weeds close on either side. Probably not a good ride for narrow tires or trikes. We went a few miles past Ottawa to ride into Buffalo Rock State Park, the trail west of Ottawa was a bit better. Overall it was a good ride and I'd do it again, but go in knowing that it isn't a smooth wide trail.
We rode from Albany to Fulton. There’s minimal signage along the way so we stopped a lot to check our app. Not great trail along the way. Will skip this portion as a repeat ride.
Ok section, kind of dull. Agriculture & cows. Found a bit of shade by a grain elevator for lunch. Several washouts filled with tumbleweeds as you get closer to Lind.
I rode today from twining park to the town of Shultz. About 7 miles. The trail was in good shape. It was soft which made the ride a little more work. They just had a lot of rain though. I will come back and ride a different section soon. 3/25/25
Nice trail head near Rt. 20.
This was used by myself and my son to train for a marathon and halves.
The shade is great and the same trees and shrubs cut the wind down.
So if you carry your fluids or have someone to cycle along side you, this is the trail you want to train on.
From Rt. 20 to Orangeville and back is approx. 20 miles. With trail on each end if you want to train a greater distance.
The crushed limestone is easy on the feet and legs.
I cycle it dozens of times a month. But training for any event is perfect here.
Rode late September right before official hunting season. Not a lot of people on it. But to be safe, we carried blaze orange. parked at Wes Block trailhead as the long road out from Freeport is just bad trail riding next to an interstate. Trail is dirt, with some repairs and gravel. Rode up to the state line and the Badger Trail out and back. There were some beautiful spots, but also some lone wolves walking the trail looking sketchy and a hunter on an ATV at twilight. If you wanted to do an overnighter up to Madison and back the next day, you could park at the hotel right near the WB trailhead. Not sure I would do this trail again though as it was a long drive for a day ride from the suburbs.
Coming from Chicago, we have only ridden this trail as a day trip and ridden from Orangeville, IL (Jane Addams Trail) to Monroe (Twining Park) and back. This stretch is on a slight incline most of the way from Orangeville to Monroe, so the ride back is a lot easier. Trail is well maintained, and mostly shaded by trees. Trail in Monroe proper was a little dicey due to no protection from the elements, a bit of a steep hill, and a lot of runoff from rain by 8th street. Crossing at 8th street is "interesting". Pit toilet in Orangeville, with a BP gas station right across the road, flush toilet in Twining Park. Went riding on 10/26, and saw a grand total of 5 other people the entire ride (2 bikers, 2 walkers, 1 jogger). Only trail I've been on where there were complete moments of silence, combined with some of the scenery, just absolutely breathtaking.
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