The Rock and French Canyon
Length
45 min - 1 hr
Difficulty
Moderate
About the Hike:
Experience the Rock and beautiful frozen waterfall all in one hike. This is a short hike from the Visitor Center. At the rock, be on the lookout for bald eagles fishing in the Illinois River west of the lock and dam!
Suggested Route:
Start in the Visitor Center parking lot and walk past the Visitor Center. Take the first left you can and proceed up the stairs. After reaching the top, take the first right you can and make your way to the top of the Rock. The trail up top is a loop and will bring you down the same stairs you go up. Once down the stairs, break east towards French Canyon. Visit French Canyon and then return to the Visitor Center.
Difficulty:
Moderate
3 staircases and natural stone foot-holds to enter the canyon. A few steep staircases to get to the top of the rock. Natural footholds and staircases can become very icy and dangerous in the winter. It is not recommended to enter French Canyon if ice has formed.
