Bike Paths

Bike or walk for miles along the banks of the most famous river in North America. The Great River Trail follows the shore of the mighty Mississippi River and showcases a wide variety of culture, wildlife, and local history. The trail covers 60 miles between Rock Island and Savanna, Illinois.

The Great River Trail is a part of the RiverWay trails, Grand Illinois Trail, and the Mississippi River Trail, all by designated hike and bike routes. It will soon connect to the Riverfront Trail in Iowa and eventually the America Discovery Trail that connects the East Coast to the West Coast.

Great River Trail

Sunset Park and Marina is the current southwest terminus of the trail. Adjacent to the confluence of the Rock River, the Hennipin Canal, and the Mississippi River, Sunset Park is located between 18th and 31st Avenues in the western part of the city. This park offers a walking trail around Lake Potter, playgrounds, picnic areas, boat ramps, and a two-story overlook of the Mississippi River. The Great River Trail leads through the park and continues northeast along the river until it connects with the downtown, known as The District.

The trail along the riverfront takes you past the old boat works, under the Crescent Railroad Bridge and connects with The District, a great place to get a meal or grab a drink. The 20th Street Overlook provides excellent eagle viewing during the winter months and a scenic panorama of the river and the Davenport skyline year round.

Upstream from The District you'll pass the Quad City Botanical Center, Quad City Expo Center, and Arsenal Island. You can also see the last remnant of the first railroad bridge across the Mississippi River.

Sylvan Island Park is the next port of call. It was once home to a steel rolling mill, and is now a quiet natural area with an interpretive plaza, a river overlook, and hiking and mountain biking trails. Wintering bald eagles, great blue herons, and other water birds often can be seen along the Mississippi River channel known as Sylvan Slough.

The Great River Trail continues east to Moline and all the way to Savanna.

RiverWay

The RiverWay trails and wayfinding system encompass both sides of the Mississippi River, including the Illinois communities of Rock Island, Moline, East Moline, Hampton, Rapids City, Port Byron, and Cordova and the Iowa communities of Buffalo, Davenport, Bettendorf, Riverdale, Pleasant Valley, LeClaire, and Princeton.

Grand Illinois Trail

The Grand Illinois Trail is more than 475 miles of connected roadways and paths in a continuous loop through northern Illinois.

Mississippi River Trail

The Mississippi River Trail is a 10-state cycling route in process of development. It travels over 2,000 continuous miles between the headwaters of the Mississippi at Lake Itasca, Minnesota and the Gulf of Mexico.

America Discovery Trail

The bicycle and pedestrian bridge linking the City of Rock Island and Arsenal Island was recently completed, making it one of two bike trail bridges in the country to cross the Mississippi River. Stretching across 6,800 miles and 15 states, the America Discovery Trail is the only coast-to-coast non-motorized recreational trail.

Every year on Father's Day, the Ride the River event celebrates these trails by offering families the opportunity to bicycle throughout the Quad Cities. Click here to learn more about the event.

For more information and maps on the trails through Rock Island click here.