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by Chris McKinley

The River-to-River Trail is the ultimate Southern Illinois trail. Shared by hikers, bikers, and horseback riders, the River-to-River Trail transects Southern Illinois from east to west, starting at Battery Rock on the Ohio River and ending at Tower Rock on the Mississippi River.

Fern Clyffe is one of the state parks along the River-to-River Trail.

The 175-mile trail takes visitors through some of the most scenic natural areas in the midwest. The Shawnee National Forest covers most of the east-west portions, and the trail passes through or near such spectacular sites as Garden of the Gods Recreation and Wilderness Area, Lusk Creek Canyon National Scenic Area, Panther Den Wilderness Area, Giant City State Park, and Ferne Clyffe State Park.

The unique natural beauty of Southern Illinois is well represented on this trail. A variety of terrain and vegetation types exist along the trail, including blufftop vistas, rocky streams, open plains, wetland bayous, and deep forests. Hiking varies from moderate to difficult. Sections of the trail are on roadways, while other parts enter remote wilderness areas.

Another feature is a transition zone for many plant and animal species. The division between north and south and east and west overlaps to a considerable degree, so it is possible to see eastern and western bluebirds, northern and southern garter snakes, blue herons, cypress swamps and mosses, and lichens that have adapted from the ice age.

The River-to-River Trail’s sheer length prevents most users from travelling its entirety, so sections have been created and maintained by the River-to-River Trail Society, a not-for-profit organization which keeps the trail passable, provides maps and information, and sometimes provides shuttle services. The entire trail takes hikers an average of fourteen days to complete, so the group encourages people to experience one portion at a time. Most sections of the trail are passable all year, except for the coldest days in January or February.

The River-to-River sign.

The Trail is marked with wooden diamonds painted white overlaid with a blue i which has been the symbol of the trail from the beginning. Some of these signs may be painted on trees. Generally, when a trail turns, the diamond will be pointed in the directions of the turn. Interesting side trails may be marked with only white diamonds.

The River-to-River Trail represents the Illinois section of the American Discovery Trail, a 6,300 mile path that extends coast to coast from Point Reyes National Seashore to Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware. It connects six national scenic trails, ten national historic trails, twenty-three national recreational trails, and hundreds of local and regional trails. It connects fourteen national parks and sixteen national forests. The American Discovery Trail crosses California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Delaware.

River-to-River Trail hikers should take compasses and maps. Frequently, hikers will look down or away and miss a trail sign. Those who become confused should walk back to the last marker they saw. If there are no signs, a rule of thumb is to follow the main trail.

A map will also help hikers determine if they are on public or private land, since the trail passes through both. Camping is only allowed on federal or state land.

An eighty-page River-to-River Trail Guide is available from the River-to-River Trail Society. The guide is packed with information about trailheads, campgrounds, and trail descriptions. To get a copy of the River-to-River Trail Guide, send $23 to the River-to-River Trail Society, 1142 Winkleman Road, Harrisburg, IL 62946. More information on shuttle services can be found on the society’s website at <http://www.rivertorivertrail.org>.