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Hiking Guide
Pere Marquette State Park
Hikers enjoy the view atop the Goat Cliff
Trail
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Hikers will find a variety of hiking
opportunities at the park with 10 trails that total approximately 12 miles.
The trails' ratings range from easy to difficult and travel through a
variety of habitats. There are 9 scenic overlooks along the trails that
provide the
hiker with a panorama of the countryside. The trails are color-coded
and are clearly marked with paint on the trees and signposts.
Hiking opportunities in the area are not limited to
the Park. Travel north on the Great River Road (Route 100) to the town of
Kampsville to find 12 miles of nature trails at the McCully
Heritage Project. These trails meander through woodlands, wetlands,
prairie and agricultural areas. Adjacent to the Pere Marquette Park's Marina area is the
three mile long Gilbert Lake Hiking Trail with its wetland habitat and bird
watching opportunities. Cross the Illinois River via the Brussels
Free Ferry and take advantage of the Two
Rivers National Wildlife Refuge which is part of Mark Twain National
Wildlife Refuge. Many hikers who enjoy an easy walk down paved trails
utilize the Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail.
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Leaves
of Three
Let it Be! |
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Poison Ivy is common to Pere Marquette
State Park, likes sunlight and is often found at the edge of the hiking
trails. Poison Ivy can be a vine or a low shrub, has droopy, compound leaves
which consist of triple leaflets that can be smooth or irregularly toothed.
The leaves are reddish in the spring, turn green during the summer, and some
Poison Ivy plants turn various shades of gold or red in the fall. All parts of Poison Ivy,
even its pollen, are potentially irritating and remain toxic in all seasons.
Poison Ivy resembles Virginia Creeper, another common plant in the Park except that Virginia
Creeper has five leaflets.
Many Poison Ivy plants turn a brilliant red in early fall
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