Northern end at East Romeo Road and I&M Canal in Romeoville, Illinois; southern end near West 2nd Street and American Road in Joliet, Illinois. A map may be found here.

Forest Preserve District of Will County

www.reconnectwithnature.org/preserves-trails/trails/i-m-canal-trail

From the center of town 33 miles to the northern end of the trail and 45 miles to the southern end of the trail

Portions of the trail near the centers of Joliet and Lockport are accessible, and there are accessible parking spaces near the trail.

Biking, Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking, Other Features (Snowshoeing), Running and Wildflowers

French explorer Louis Jolliet first proposed a canal connecting Lake Michigan with the Illinois River in 1673 but the idea was not acted upon until 1836 when construction began. The 96 mile canal opened in 1848.

There are restrooms in public parks near the trail. Seasonal bikeshares are available in Lockport at 8th Street at the I&M Canal. Download the Movatic app. Street Routes in Joliet, Illinois connect the trail to the crushed limestone I&M Canal State Trail which begins in Rockdale, Illinois and continues 61 miles to LaSalle, Illinois.

Grab some fresh cupcakes or Danish rolls before your hike or bike ride from The Cupcake Bakery, located at 1022 S State Street, Lockport, Illinois.

Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery, located at 210 West 10th Street, Lockport, Illinois, features well curated special exhibitions.

All year