Detour to Nature

When you start planning your first Route 66 road trip, images of classic diners, roadside attractions and historic sites may be what first springs to mind. However, The First Hundred Miles of the Mother Road is also lined with some unbelievably beautiful parks, zoos and natural attractions. From heart-pounding adventures like ziplining and mountain biking to serene natural activities like bird watching and fossil hunting, there’s outdoor fun to be had around every bend in the road. Here’s an itinerary that connects you with the best places to ‘stop and smell the roses’ along this historic Route.

 BROOKFIELD ZOO

8400 W 31st St, Brookfield, IL Located only 15 miles west of Chicago, this 200+ acre zoo is widely regarded as one of the best in the nation, thanks in no small part to its accessibility and amazing array of animals. Opened to the public in 1934, Brookfield’s unique design utilized moats in place of bars and cages resulting in an up-close experience, unlike anything visitors had seen before. Now, with over 450 species represented by more than 2,500 animals, everyone is sure to find one of their favorite creatures. Brookfield also features a variety of souvenir shops and on-site food venues, serving up everything from fried chicken and hot dogs to cool drinks and treats.

 WATERFALL GLEN FOREST PRESERVE

I55 & Lemont Road, Lemont, IL Whatever your favorite outdoor activities might be, Waterfall Glen in Lemont has it all. With over 11 miles of meandering trails, you can enjoy everything from hiking, to horseback riding to cycling, all just a short drive from the Mother Road. If your dog is accompanying you on your cross-country trip, this is the perfect place to stop. This popular picnic and fishing area is also dog-friendly. Discover the park’s beautiful tiered waterfalls while enjoying the 740+ documented species of native plants. If you’re a fan of birding, Waterfall Glen hosts hundreds of species of feathered friends every year.

 THE FORGE: LEMONT QUARRIES

1001 Main Street, Lemont, IL Get ready for some real adventure at ‘The Forge’ in Lemont, Illinois. Built in and around the Lemont Quarries, this area is actionpacked offering rope courses, ziplines, climbing walls, mountain biking and an assortment of running trails, perfect for entertaining visitors of all ages and abilities. And if zipping down a cable does not pique your interest, then you and your family can

enjoy the outdoor dining and picnic area where you may catch some music or other seasonal entertainment.

 I&M CANAL STATE TRAIL

Access Huse Lake near Joliet Street & IL 351 Running through three counties, Will, Grundy and LaSalle, the Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail is one of the most historic natural spaces along the Route 66 corridor. A popular biking and hiking trail, visitors can enjoy fishing and other activities along this mid-19th century waterway. Popular winter activities like snowmobiling and cross-country skiing can also be enjoyed along the canal. All these great outdoor activities can be enjoyed on this 79 mile former mule trail. A precursor to Route 66, The I&M Canal was once the most important transportation hub for commerce and passengers in Illinois. After the development of the railroad, this long forgotten commodity was transformed into a spectacular outdoor recreation area.

 ROCK RUN PRESERVE

3669 Black Road, Joliet, IL Explore Illinois as it was centuries ago at Rock Run Preserve, a wetland prairie with direct access to the I&M Canal. Conveniently located just outside of Joliet, this park is a major destination for those looking to picnic, fish, hike and bike a rambling 320+ acre site. You’ll find a diverse natural habitat featuring wetlands, prairie, and forest landscapes open to the public year round.

 JOLIET IRON WORKS PARK

Columbia Street, Joliet, IL When you visit the Joliet Iron Works Park, you’ll never guess that at one time this was the site of the second largest steel mill in the USA. Opened in 1869, Joliet Iron and Steel Works employed over 2,000 laborers until its closure in 1936. Adopted by the Forest Preserve of Will County, this factory-turned natural space now boasts almost 2 miles of paved trail and is an access point for the 12 plus mile I&M Canal Centennial Trail. Interpretive signage takes the visitor through the heyday of this location’s history. Sheltered picnic areas (with electric), fresh water and bathroom facilities can be found on site.

 HAMMEL WOODS

554 Brook Forest Ave, Shorewood, IL Located directly on Old Route 66 in Shorewood, Illinois, Hammel Woods provides tubing, canoeing and kayaking

down the picturesque DuPage River. Visitors can also enjoy a run along the park’s 1.6 miles of natural surface trails. Additional activities permitted at the park include cycling, hiking, running, in-line skating, fishing and crosscountry skiing when weather permits. Covered shelters can accommodate 25 on a first-come, first-served basis with no need for a permit. If you’re a fan of Geocaching, Hammel Woods is a great place to stop for a quick hunt.

 DES PLAINES DOLOMITE

PRAIRIES LAND AND WATER RESERVE

24621 N River Road, Wilmington, IL With a free skeet shooting and archery range, Des Plaines Dolomite Prairies Land and Water Reserve is a unique and diverse sporting park. With over 5,000 acres of land and 2,000 of water, there is plenty of room to enjoy your favorite pastimes, like horseback riding, jet skiing and boating. The Des Plaines Dolomite Prairies Land and Water Reserve is known as an excellent spot for hunting and fishing, provided you have all the required licenses. The park also features a peaceful selection of on-site camping, which can be reserved online in advance.

 MIDEWIN NATIONAL

TALLGRASS PRAIRIE

30239 S State Rt 53, Wilmington, IL Known as ‘The Largest Prairie Restoration Site East of the Mississippi River’ the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Preserve is also the single largest open space in Illinois. Managed by the US Forest Service and recognized as a US National Grassland, bison were reintroduced back on the prairie in October, 2015, making this gorgeous plot of paraire even more authentic. While it’s not guaranteed, every visit offers the opportunity to see these elusive animals as they roam throughout the prairie.

 WILMINGTON DAM

South Park St, Wilmington, IL Within walking distance of downtown Wilmington, the Wilmington Dam provides locals and visitors alike with some good old fashioned shore fishing. Known for its carp, catfish and crappie, you can relax and enjoy the scenery, while conveniently being just moments away from a variety of shopping and dining opportunities. The attached South Island Park is also ideal for a quick picnic, walk, hike or trail run. Enjoy a beautiful landscape adjacent to a picturesque small town, located just off Route 66.

 MAZONIA-BRAIDWOOD

STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AREAFOSSIL HUNTING

Rt 53 & E Huston Road, Braceville/ Braidwood, IL Get your hunt on at MazoniaBraidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area, one of the nation’s foremost destinations for public fossil hunting. Findings have included marine fossils like jellyfish, worms, and the infamous Tully Monster, with ‘Mazon Creek’ fossils holding prominent places in some of the most important fossil collections in the world. The famous Pit 11, the largest and most productive fossil area in the park, is still open to the public (open October to April, provided you’ve signed the correct permit). This open area encompasses a few thousand acres of rocky terrain, so make sure you dress accordingly; wear sturdy shoes, head coverings and bring a backpack or bucket for your findings.