Find the top rated fishing trails in Sterling, whether you're looking for an easy short fishing trail or a long fishing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a fishing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Hennepin segment in this review: Sterling to Tampico
Bike: Specialized Sirus hybrid
Type of biker: casual, but I bike daily and can handle 25-35 mile rides
Weather: sunny, warm, upper 70's and dry.
Trail conditions: dry
Bike recommendation: no street bikes. Perfect for hybrid and mountain.
Other recommendations: sun protection, excess water, small protein bar or similar, phone, sunglasses, small towelette for sweat.
I started this trail at its entrance on the Sterling side of the Rock River.
Crossing the Rock was a nice starter. On the western dam side, a group of pelicans and their babies swam in the water. Can't say I've ever seen pelicans in Illinois before.
Once you reach the Rock Falls side the trail adjoins the Hennepin canal for the rest of the ride. In warm weather you're likely to see a lot of people fishing all the way down to the I88 underpass.
Heading south of I88 you aren't likely to see anyone. The trail is in decent shape being earthen based and I didn't see much more than small twigs on my ride south. There's easily a good 7-8 miles where you don't see much of anything manmade with the exception of crossing a road.
If you're a bird lover, this area will highly appeal. During my 25-mile journey I must have seen at least 50-75 orioles, a variety of blue colored birds, cardinals, several colors of finch, and a bird that has white tipped feathers that I've never seen before. I'm not a birder but they are beautiful to watch. The canal itself is clean with occasional turtles perched on logs.
There was only one spot on my segment with bathrooms, and that was closer to Tampico. The rest of the trail is devoid of bathrooms, benches and other amenities.
Some additional observations regarding this part of the trail:
Google maps indicate that a sunflower field is near the intersection of the trail and Star Road. There isn't. The area is entirely corn fields.
For rides longer than 5-10 miles, make sure to bring your own hydration and food. I bike daily and can handle long rides. But back here it gets rather warm. Water consumption for me was a little bit greater, and I even found a need to eat a protein bar to steady my energy level.
Importantly; a 25-mile ride back here will feel like well over 35. While the trail is in good shape, you do make a lot of dodges to avoid branches, twigs, holes, hanging bushes and other deterrents. The earthen path also slows your speed.
I didn't quite make it to downtown Tampico as I had original set out to do. My halfway point became Fargo Rd, at which point, I could see the little city of Tampico from a distance.
This leg of the trail completed my third on the Hennepin Canal Trail. It's a very peaceful trail with a lot of upside.
Cheers.
Discovered this comfortable place with great accommodations for two bike travelers. They offer a pullout sofa if you do not wish to share a bed. Indoor bike storage with a comfy bed and a hot shower! Distillery right next-door and two restaurants to fuel up in the morning to get back on the trail. Close to the panhandle of West Virginia. Their name is Harmony Trail Haven on Airbnb.
Rode 12 miles out and back on this trail. Parked at Credit Island Park - lots of spaces for parking - and rode north. There are active and busy train tracks next to the trail and then on the other side is the Mississippi River. The route is industrial vibe scenic on the section I rode. I really enjoyed the trains. There is a section of the trail that is a detour onto the sidewalk for about 3 blocks around Quinlan Park (hope I remembered that name right). The blacktop/concrete trail surface is typical for this kind of ride next to industry. Some roots heaving up here and there but nothing too crazy. I’d recommend the ride because how Often do you get a chance to ride with trains, barges, and the mighty Mississippi River?!
I haven’t done the complete trail, only the part in the park near the rec-center. The portion in the park is paved, asphalt, and is mostly wooded. Plenty of turns and short climbs/decent. Visibility isn’t great due to trees and turns so not a top speed location. I did 2 laps in the park with my special needs son using his adaptive bike. Several other trail users were walking. There is a portion of this trail that runs along Lynne Blvd. That part is essentially a sidewalk or off-street path. We did not go on that portion.
Highly recommend this beautiful and well kept trail. Beautiful to ride along the trees and over the 2 epic ohiopyle bridges.
Have not walked but biked and very fun also little off road side trails very fun
I rode out-and-back on this trail and the connecting DeKalb Nature Trail on a warm Sunday afternoon. The good news is that there is no on-road component to this trail. It is all paved and passes under a few roads and a railroad as it follows the S. Branch Kishwaukee River. I started at the south end at Lions Park and immediately had to cross Taylor Street. There is basically no signage along the trail. Fortunately someone had painted some arrows on the pavement, apparently for a 5K race. The crossing at Lucinda was a little odd where you have to cut slightly west to cross at a driveway. There's a nice ramp to get you under, then over, the N. 1st Street bridge, then there's an at grade crossing at Hillcrest. All-in-all, it's not bad getting across those roads.
The trail smoothness varies. It's a little bumpy in areas, but not too bad. The least pleasant ride is adjacent to Sycamore Road near the north end of the trail. Through the wooded sections, there were areas of crunchy Osage orange and walnut(?) shells to traverse, but it's fall so that's probably to be expected. The scenery is suburban with a good dose of parkland. The trail seems to have more use by walkers than by riders. The round trip was 11.5 miles.
Started this trail at the east end (Floyd Tilton Park). The trail is asphalt and in good condition. On the east side, the ride parallels the small Kyte River. As others have mentioned, you pass under the busier roads, which is nice. The trail swings around the high school, then south along 20th Street. There is an extension that heads west from Squire Landings, cutting through cornfields and then paralleling the RR tracks. I did an out-and-back on this section, then rode back to the starting point along 10th Ave. Traffic was low on a Saturday afternoon. After the ride, I went down to Rochelle Rail Park to absorb some local history and watch a couple of trains go by. I'd probably ride this trail more often if I lived closer.
My son and I rode from the visitor center east to the first aqueduct, about 20 miles round trip. It was beautiful day, we took our time, looked for turtles and stopped at a Casey's in Wyanet for lunch. Keeping to a healthy diet I went for sausage pizza, Yoo-hoo and an iced sugar cookie. The trail was rough, and rougher in spots but not a problem on my gravel bike with 40 mm tires. My son rides a Synapse with 35 tires and did it have a problem. If you ride a road bike or prefer smooth trails this might not be for you. we enjoyed it.
Some really pretty parts but a lot of road riding. Started from Cattail Slough Boat Launch (free parking as long as you don’t have a boat trailer attached to your car), rode to Mississippi Pallisades State Park and camped. Rode back the next day. Campground was fantastic and Krumpets Bakery in Fulton should not be missed. The actual trail portions were nice and the Thomson Recreational Area was nice. In Northern Illinois you have to know that there’s going to be a lot of long distance straight sections but this was excessively so. Maybe 35% was trail and 65% road. Happy to say I’ve ridden it but won’t return.
(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.
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