Export to Trail Guide
Create Guidebook 
Download GPX 
Print Friendly MapThe sprawling Constitution Trail and Historic Rte. 66 Trail covers over 53 miles throughout the Bloomington-Normal area. The trail was officially named and dedicated in 1987 in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the United States Constitution. The Historic Rte. 66 Trail travels between Normal and Chenoa and is part of the greater trail system that is the Constitution Trail
About the Route
The Constitution Trail is a sprawling system, with several different branches that travel through the Bloomington-Normal Area and beyond. Additional park spurs take trail users to various parks in the region.
The Illinois Central Branch, the main spine of the trail has a southern endpoint at Croxton Avenue and Indianapolis Street and travels northward through an industrial area. The pathway passes by the Beer Nuts production plant, where trail users can visit the company store of the famous Bloomington-produced snack. Shortly after passing through the Washington Street tunnel, trail users can find the Atwood Wayside trailhead with a covered picnic area, water fountain, and parking area.
The tree-lined trail continues through a mix of residential and forested areas. Along the way, be sure to read the historical markers with stories of the rail corridor’s past. After crossing the bridges over Emerson Street and Sugar Creek, the trail passes under the historic Camelback Bridge: its distinctive shape allowed the tall stacks of wood-burning locomotives to pass under it. The wooden bridge is the oldest surviving structure associated with the rail corridor.
A couple of blocks farther, the trail reaches the Allers Shelter Wayside and Connie Link Amphitheater Park, where the Bloomer Line Branch of the trail heads east. This 4-mile section of trail travels through peaceful neighborhoods and shopping areas. Along the way, the trail passes by several parks with pleasant side paths to take in the scenery. Three miles in, the trail arrives at Tipton Park, which features an expansive path that takes trail users through ponds and a lush prairie habitat. About a mile farther, the Bloomer Line Branch comes to its eastern endpoint at the edge of town on Towanda Barnes Road.
Continuing north on the Illinois Central Branch from the Allers Shelter Wayside/Connie Link Park, the trail passes through the trendy Uptown Normal district near Illinois State University (ISU). This neighborhood features several local shops and restaurants just off the path. The Collegiate Branch of the trail leaves off from here, heads through the ISU campus, and connects to Heartland Community College.
The Illinois Central Branch continues out of the Uptown district along a forested corridor, becoming more and more rural. At the edge of town, the trail passes by Rosa Parks Commons, a vast open field with a playground, restrooms, water, and parking. A mile later, the trail intersects with the Northtown Branch of the trail at Northtown Road. This 3-mile section heads east along the roadway and loops around a neighborhood surrounding a large pond.
The Interurban Branch is the westernmost section of the trail network. The West Route 9 Wayside trailhead is located on 1400 North Road, just west of the Mitsubishi Motorway (US 150). The trailhead features plenty of parking and a large map to help guide trail users. The first 2 miles of the Interurban Branch are largely rural along the tree-lined path. As the trail passes under I-74, things begin to change into a more industrial feel. After passing over Goose Creek on the modern trestle, the trail parallels West Washington Street for a stretch, then zigzags across and over railroad tracks into Alton Depot Park. The trail continues alongside an active railroad line for just over a mile before stopping at East Lincoln Street. Turn left (east) here and the trail will pick up as a wide sidewalk on Lincoln Street (just past Bunn Street) until this section ends 0.5 mile later at McGregor Street.
The Southtown Branch of the trail has a western endpoint at the intersection of Fox Creek Road and Historic US Route 66, merging for a time with the Route 66 Branch. This section continues along Hamilton Road until Bunn Street. After a short gap, the trail picks up again at the intersection of Commerce Parkway and Hamilton Road, but trail users can access the trail by traveling on Rhodes Lane, then turning left onto Morrissey Drive, and continuing on the wide side path at Hamilton Road. The trail briefly shares a boundary with an active railway, forming a rail-with-trail segment. The trail then turns north, passes beneath Hamilton Road, and briefly follows a small creek on its way toward Ireland Grove Road.
The trail crosses Ireland Grove Road and loosely parallels Arcadia Drive. Like the previous section, it offers a few sweeping turns. A short spur leads back south to parking along North 1200 East Road. When the trail approaches East Lincoln Street, it crosses over to the northern side of the roadway and follows the wide sidewalk along it. At South Hershey Road, you can go north to access parking and facilities at Rollingbrook Park or continue east on the trail. Here, the trail separates from the road and meanders briefly along a small creek and then through nicely kept neighborhoods before it joins White Eagle Drive. It remains a separate trail for another 0.5 mile, where it reaches a trailhead at Streit Drive.
As its name implies, the Route 66 Branch follows the famed US highway from Bloomington southwest past the small community of Shirley. Northeast of Normal, there are three more discontiguous sections of Old Route 66 trails in McLean County: Towanda Route 66 Parkway, Lexington's Route 66 Trail, and the Chenoa Route 66 Prairie Trail.
Each of the sections of the Historic Rte. 66 Trail travels along the historic highway and although each section of the trail is separate, trail users may connect their journey by traveling along the highway itself all the way north to Chenoa and south to Normal and beyond. The Historic Rte. 66 Trail is a part of the larger Constitution Trail network in the Bloomington-Normal Area.
The Constitution Trail and Historic Rte. 66 Trail runs between Old Rte. 66 near 510 W Cemetery Ave (Chenoa) and Funk's Grove Gazebo (Shirley).
Parking is available at:
There are numerous parking options on the route, see TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
This is a real nice trail, but at times it’s more like a sidewalk than a bike trail. There are a lot of pedestrians and many many crosswalks. The trail ends in several different places so it’s a little bit confusing. This is more of a trail system than it is one trail. The trails are in pretty good shape but some of the more lonely stretches there was some broken glass. lonely stretches, have broken glass and things on them so you really need to know where you are going.
Rode this trail yesterday from central Bloomington to where it ends north of Towanda. Trail is in very good condition and easy to ride. I felt safe along the trail - it is far enough away from the old Route 66 Hwy. which was a plus! There are ample stopping/resting points along the way if needed. Now this trail needs to be completed all the way to Lexington and northward from there! ¿
Amazing path and trees, best foliage from late spring to early fall
This trail is in great shape. Easy riding and cute little photo ops along the way. Another plus-this is close enough to hop on from the Constitution Trail.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy
(a non-profit) and we need your support!
_245072_nb.jpg)
_60629_nb.jpg)
