Visitors Guide to Attractions
Calhoun County, Illinois
Calhoun County lies west of the Scenic Byway and is almost completely surrounded by water. The 4 ferries connecting Calhoun County with the rest of the region provide an interesting mode of transportation. Sites in the area include the Brussels Historic District, the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge and the Center for American Archeology in Kampsville.
Brussels Free Ferry
Jersey and Calhoun Counties, Illinois
Located about 1 mile west of Grafton and 4 miles east of Pere Marquette State Park, this ferry crosses the Illinois River linking Route 100 to Calhoun County and the village of Brussels. The ferries help keep the river free of ice during the winter and the action of their propellers stun fish and help bring them to the surface. These fish become easy prey for Bald Eagles making the Brussels Free Ferry Area one of the prime bald eagle watching spots in the region.
Calhoun County Visitors Center
Brussels, Illinois
The Calhoun County Visitors Center provides visitors free maps and information about Calhoun County such as Barn Quilt Trail, genealogy, location of orchards, and where to eat. The center also features small gift shop and a large exhibit of quilts made by local quilters and other exhibits featuring Calhoun County memorabilia.
Kampsville River Free Ferry
Jersey and Calhoun Counties, Illinois
The Kampsville Free Ferry allows easy access to and from Jersey and Green Counties and Calhoun County. South of Kampsville near Hardin the Great River Road splits into an Eastern and Western Branch. This ferry takes cars from IL-108 from Jersey County into the town of Kampsville where it links up with IL-100 (the Great River Road south) and IL-96 (the Great River Road north).
Center for American Archeology
Kampsville, Illinois
The historic Kamp Store serves as home for the Center for American Archeology Visitor's Center. Named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994, the Kamp Store was a center of economic life along the rural river way. The Visitor’s Center displays exhibits and artifacts that document the prehistory of the surrounding area, one of the world's most archeologically rich regions - the "Nile of North America."
Golden Eagle Ferry
Golden Eagle
This ferry takes vehicles across the Mississippi River between the small town of Golden Eagle in Calhoun County in Illinois and St. Charles County in Missouri.
McCully Heritage Project
South of Kampsville, Illinois
The TreeHouse Wildlife Center sits on approximately eight beautiful acres near the rural town of Dow. It's become an ideal environment for injured or orphaned animals that need time to recuperate. The property features large outdoor cages for raptors such as eagles, hawks, and owls and mammals like coyotes, indoor havens for permanents residents, and a pond for waterfowl. The Center is open daily to visitors and also offers outreach programs and groups tours.
Joe Page Bridge
Hardin, Illinois
The Sam Vadalabene Trail is approximately 20 miles of level paved trail that parallels the Great River and travels through the river towns of Elsah and Grafton, and ends at Pere Marquette State Park. Riders, walkers, and joggers will see prairie wildflowers along the trail, brilliant foliage in the fall, and Bald Eagles soaring over the river and bluffs, or floating down the river on chunks of ice in the winter.
Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge
Calhoun County, Illinois
The Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge consists of a variety of habitats and is a major migration corridor for waterfowl, bald eagles and other birds. The refuge is closed mid-October to mid-December, but the office/visitor center is open weekdays and some weekends during that period.
Winfield Ferry
Batchtown, Illinois
This ferry is currently closed
This ferry crosses the Mississippi River near the small town of Batchtown into Lincoln County, Missouri connecting with Route 79. The ferry runs right next to the Sandy Island Bald Eagle Sanctuary & Lock and Dam #25 making it an ideal spot to look for Bald Eagles in the winter. Directions from the Missouri side of the river: From Main Street in the northern part of Winfield take CR N east towards the river to Pillsbury Drive and then Eagle’s Landing Drive to the ferry.
Tom Ringhausen Orchards
Hardin, Illinois
During the growing season Tom Ringhausen Orchards sells fruits such as Peaches, apples, plums, pears, nectarines, blackberries, and raspberries. The market also sells fresh produce including tomatoes, sweet corn, peppers, green beans, and onions.
Nearby Attractions
Grafton and Elsah
Southeast of Calhoun County, along the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway lies the real river towns of Elsah and Grafton. The entire town of Elsah has been designated a historic district and is home to a number of Bed and Breakfasts. Grafton is situated at the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers and is known as "The Winter Home of The Bald Eagle" due to the number of good eagle watching sites in its proximity.
Pere Marquette State Park
Pere Marquette is Illinois' largest state park and is famous for the beauty of its fall colors and as a home for bald eagles in the winter. The park offers its visitors diverse recreational and educational opportunities that encompass the past, present and future. The park features hiking trails and horseback riding. The park has year round electric and basic campgrounds. The Lodge consists of both new facilities as well as those constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. All this and more makes Pere Marquette State Park a great place to explore!
Jerseyville Area
To the north and east of the Scenic Byway are the towns of Jerseyville and Otterville. Visit the Historic Courthouse Square, the Fulkerson Mansion, and the Cheney House in Jerseyville. The Hamilton Primary School, the first integrated school in the country, is in Otterville.
For Travelers Heading Across the River
Meeting the Missouri River
The two longest rivers of the United States, the Missouri and the Mississippi, meet at St. Charles County, Missouri. The Historic St. Charles downtown area offers visitors a variety of attractions including the Lewis and Clark Boat House and Nature Center, The Foundry Art Centre, and Missouri’s First State Capitol. Nearby is Confluence State Park and the Daniel Boone Home.
The Metropolitan Saint Louis Area
Metropolitan Saint Louis has a lot to offer its visitors. The area's most prominent attraction is the Gateway Arch. Saint Louis has a number of outstanding public institutions that are free to visit including the Zoo, Art Museum, History Museum, and the Science Center. The Saint Louis region has a number of green spaces for nature and outdoor enthusiasts. Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. Faust County Park, in Saint Louis County, is home to many historical and cultural attractions including the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, a historical village, and the Saint Louis Carousel. The county is also home to Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park, Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, the Powder Valley Conservation Area.
