Thomson, Illinois

From the Maquoketa Caves State Park office, near the parking area, hike north for access to 8 of the 16 caves in the park. These caves include Wide Mouth Cave, Dug Out Cave, Twin Arch Cave, Hernando's Hideaway, Up-N-Down Cave, Widow Cave, Match Cave, and Upper Dancehall Cave. Other attractions in...

The Castle Rock North Trail is a 3.5 mile loop that is great for all skill levels, such as families, and dogs are allowed on leash! The hike features a river, and has scenic views of the nearby landscapes from the top of a lookout point. 

The Nachusa Grasslands is a wildlife restoration and recreational area located near Franklin Grove, Illinois that contains several hiking trails through prarie land with over 700 native plant species and features a 1500 acre enclosure for a bison heard that inhabits the preserve.  The land is cur...

The cave is located beneath an outdated (but cool) gift shop on an little old gravel lot at the end of a short country road(Crystal Lake Cave Rd). The cave is about a 1-1.5 mile loop that takes about an hour. The cave is usually pretty cool and can have up to an inch of standing water at certain ...

To get to the trailhead within Mines of Spain, drive to the Dubuque area, turn off of Highway 61/151, and on to Highway 52. From Highway 52, turn left onto Mines of Spain Road until you find the parking lot. Once you park your car, go up the wooden stairs to the trail. From here you can go either...