Wildlife & nature trails

WILDLIFE & NATURE TRAILS

The Alton region is a masterpiece of nature. Filled with whistling birds, colorful trees, glistening waters, imposing bluffs, energetic fish and unique plants, the environment is paradise for its visitors, as well as the animals and plants of the region.

Watchable Wildlife

American Bald Eagles return yearly to the byway and its bluffs in late December. Following the Illinois, Mississippi and Missouri rivers, they converge at our confluences in search of open waters for fishing. The eagles come to the region reclaiming their nests and calling it home from the end of December through the end of February. They spread their wings and soar high in the sky above the bluffs, landing on the river’s banks or on top of the frozen ice floes. Looking past their breath on a cold morning, visitors enjoy watching the birds awaken from their slumber and begin their morning sortie for food. Although eagles can be seen while driving along the byway, they are best seen up close at places such as the Audubon Center at Riverlands, below the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, from the river banks in Grafton or on the Brussels and Grafton Ferries near Grafton.

White pelicans also vacation in the region twice a year in the spring and fall. Thousands of pelicans can be seen flocking together on the river, creating the illusion of giant sandbars as the cover the surface of the water and islands. Ducks, falcons, warblers, sandpipers, owls, woodpeckers and warblers share trees, grasslands, lakes and streams. Swan Lake at the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge is an ideal bird lookout. Quiet visitors can peer at the more than 230 species of bird in the area. Birds can be seen bringing food to their chirping young, building nests with straw and leaves or chasing one another through the blue sky. Particular birds to look for include the pileated woodpecker, which is the largest type in the United States and resembles “Woody the Woodpecker” with its flamboyant red head.
More than 230 species of birds, deer, fish, and beaver can be spotted at one of the many nature trails along the byway region. Visitors can observe the wildlife in its natural habitat, examining the primitive surroundings of the animals as well. Rich forestlands and sunny glades covered with wildflowers and various trees are dwellings for the deer, chipmunks, wild turkeys, foxes and coyotes of the region. Great places to check out the area’s plants and wildlife are Pere Marquette State Park, Gordon F. Moore Community Park, The Nature Institute, Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge, McCully Heritage Project and the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary.


NATURE SITES & TRAILS
The Audubon Center at Riverlands

301 Riverlands Way, West Alton  [phone]

www.Riverlands.Audubon.org
The new Audubon Center at Riverlands is a great place to begin your wildlife viewing ventures at the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary. The Sanctuary has been designated as an important bird area by the National Audubon Society. The area hosts an abundant array of waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors to delight birdwatchers of all ages. The sanctuary is the wintering home of bald eagles and trumpeter swans, and it is a year round rest stop for great white pelicans, shorebirds, and wading birds. The sanctuary plays an important role in the migration of countless bird species along the Mississippi Flyway.
Trails:
Alton Nature Trail: This trail stretches for two miles from Lincoln Shields to West Alton. Its multi-use designation escorts hikers, bikers and joggers along the dazzling Alton Lake.
Two Pecan Trail: As a learning tool, interpretive stations explain flora and fauna to visitors. The trail weaves through the tall prairie grass of the wetlands of this one mile trail.
Heron Pond Trail: The newest of the three trails, this concrete trail is compliant with American Disabilities Act. The 600-foot path connects with the Two Pecan Trail and ends at an observation platform hanging above the river. It is a perfect location for scoping winter American Bald Eagles and other birds.

Gordon Moore Park

4550 College Ave., Alton  [phone]

www.Alton-IL.com

Visitors can cast their line in the 13-acre lake in the park, walk among the trickling streams of the Oriental Garden Trail or wind through one of the largest prairie restoration areas in Illinois while following The Nature Institute Trail (mentioned below). The park is also home to the Nan Elliott Rose Garden with 1600 rose bushes, 125 varieties of roses and beautiful carillon concerts in the summertime. The park is open year-round.

LaVista Park Trail

2421 W. Delmar, Godfrey  [phone]

www.GodfreyIL.org

On the edge of the LaVista Community Park, this one mile trail winds through a beautiful wooded area and alongside a creek to the Mississippi River and Clifton Terrace Park, located on the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway (Illinois Rte. 100).

McCully Heritage Project

RR #1, Box 130, Kampsville  [phone]

www.McCullyHeritage.org

With 940 acres of hills and hollows, wildlife frolic throughout the forest and grassland regions of the area. Deer race and play tag while turkeys strut past anxious squirrels and curious raccoons. The McCully Project is dedicated to the preservation of these animals and their habitats. Trails at the McCully Heritage Project are open year-round.

Trails:
Ridgeline Trail: This windy one and half mile trail winds through timberlands and overlooks the river valley. Ducks, blue herons, deer and other wildlife are often seen along this trail.

Grassland Trail: This three mile trail circles through grasslands, connects to the Ridgeline Trail and features a scenic lookout along its path. It then drops down into grasslands with uncommon bald cypress white pine trees.

Olin Nature Preserve at The Nature Institute

2213 S. Levis Lane, Godfrey  [phone]

www.TheNatureInstitute.org
Over the years, the Nature Institute in Godfrey has acquired nearly 300 acres of land surrounding the Olin Nature Preserve. The preserve is one of the largest privately owned nature preserves in the state. Researchers and scientists have identified more than 300 native plant species, more than 150 species of nesting and migratory birds, as well as nesting and den sites for the American Bald Eagle and the endangered Timber Rattlesnake. The preserve contains steep limestone bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, sinkholes, ravines, bedrock outcrops, small streams, a waterfall, upland forest and loess hill prairie. Year-round, visitors to The Nature Institute and its protected lands can engage in wildlife and prairie walks, bird migration hikes and a number of habitat hunting hikes to view the wildlife indigenous to the preserve. Trails wind through the preserve, including the Kemp & Cora Hutchinson Bird Sanctuary trail.
Trails:
Nature Institute Trail at Gordon F. Moore Park: This quarter mile trail guides visitors through the largest prairie grass restoration area in Illinois. Visitors discover prairie grass, forbes grass, wildflowers and other nature during their adventure. Alton the trail is self-guided, 14 separate interpretive stands enhance the understanding of the plants and wildlife along the way, including the little blue stem, Indian grass, yellow puccon and prairie groundsel.


Pere Marquette State Park

13112 Visitor Center Ln., Grafton  [phone]

http://dnr.state.il.us/Lands/landmgt/parks/R4/Peremarq.htm
As one of the largest state parks in Illinois, Pere Marquette State Park has some of the most grand and expansive views in the region, particularly from McAdams Peak and Twin Mounds. Both of these glorious lookouts are within the forest region of the park, so folks should bring their hiking shoes. At McAdams Peak, the three bodies of water embedded in the prairieland leave visitors in awe. The Twin Mounds lookout provides a dramatic view of the swaying prairie grass and sprouting plants 372 feet below. On a clear day, visitors can see the St. Louis skyline and Arch to the far left. A drive up the windy roads of the park is also rewarding with spectacular views of the scenic byway and Mississippi River.
There is an incredible variety and countless species of trees in the region. White and black oak, sugar maple, basswood, red oak, hackberry, slippery elm and black walnut trees surround nature trails and decorate the colossal bluffs. Visitors can catch a glimpse at some of the more rare trees, including the paw paw tree. Its yellow, fan-shaped leaves are sometimes used in recipes for its banana-like flavoring. Smooth and staghorn sumac shrubs also grow here and have tiny berries that can add a red color and fruity flavor to drinks.
Unique and interesting plants can also be found throughout the region, particularly at Pere Marquette. Puffball, elephant ear and moral mushrooms pop up each fall. They tend to form in moist, damp climates, such as the Rivene Trail. The fragrance plant is popular because of its surprising, almost shocking commercial scent when broke in two. The Sassafras Tree, also found at Pere Marquette, displays three different leave shapes that fill the air with a spicy aroma when crushed.
Hiking Trails:
Goat Cliff Trail: The difficulty level of this trail is easy to moderate, and it extends one and a half miles. Hikers stand on the Cap au Gres Fault and pass by underground springs gushing out from under the trail. It ends at McAdams Peak where hikers can gaze into three different bodies of water and see an Indian burial mound nearby.

Dogwood Trail: This trail is a short half mile trip that loops hikers from the visitor’s center, past a scenic outlook of wetlands and the Illinois River and back to the visitor’s center. Pawpaw, sugar maple and sumac trees sway overhead hikers along this trail.
Ridge Trail: This is a quarter mile long trail that is considered the most difficult because of its steep upward slope. It also ends at McAdams Peak. At this spot, visitors have a unique opportunity to look down at the American Bald Eagles rather than up at them.

Ravine Trail: Running along the Ridge and Dogwood trails, this half mile route cuts deep into the land and circles through the prairie. During the fall, this is a great place to search for elephant ear, puffball and moral mushrooms. Little bluestem, big bluestem, Indian grass and side-oats prairie grass also grow in this area.


Hickory Trails, Fern Hollow, Rattlesnake and Oak Trails: These four trails all connect to one another and total five and 3/4 miles of hiking trails. They are more secluded than the other trails and cut through the oldest forest areas of the park. It is common to see deer, turkey and some of the many 230 types of birds in this tranquil and isolated part of the park.


Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge

HCR 82, Box 107, Brussels  [phone]

www.FWS.gov/Midwest/TwoRivers
The 8,501-acre Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge is one of five refuges in the Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Most of the Two Rivers Refuge is located near the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. The refuge is comprised of five divisions: Apple Creek, Batchtown, Calhoun, Gilbert Lake, and Portage Island. The refuge is managed for migratory birds, endangered species, and migratory fish and provides an important link in the chain of resting, feeding, and wintering areas for migratory species using the Mississippi Flyway, as well as important habitat for many resident wildlife species.
Spring and fall are especially good times to witness migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, and songbirds as they move along the Mississippi Flyway. Recreational fishing is available on all five divisions of the refuge in accordance with State of Illinois seasons and regulations. Catfish, crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass are the most sought-after species. Gilbert Lake, Calhoun, and Batchtown divisions all provide fishing access areas. Swan Lake and Prairie Pond have newly renovated boat ramps and parking areas. The Swan Lake Visitor Center offers viewing platforms and scopes for public use.
Trails:
Gilbert Lake Trail: Located just north of the Brussels Ferry, this three mile trail runs on top of a levy with the Illinois River and Gilbert Lake on each side. Along the trail, visitors can spot deer, squirrels, waterfowl and wading birds as they advance through the floodplain forests.