16211 IL-100
Grafton, Illinois
618-786-3636
Located about 1 mile west of Grafton and 4 miles east of Pere Marquette State Park, this ferry crosses the Illinois River linking Route 100 to Calhoun County and the village of Brussels. On busy days, such as weekends in the fall, there are two ferries operating to cut down on the waiting times. The ferries help keep the river free of ice during the winter and the action of their propellers stun fish and help bring them to the surface. These fish become easy prey for Bald Eagles making the Brussels Free Ferry Area one of the prime bald eagle watching spots in the region.
Using the Brussels Free Ferry
The Brussels Free Ferry operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Note: If you are planning a visit to any of the ferries in the Middle Mississippi Valley and believe the ferries might not be operating due to flood conditions or ice please call for current information.
The River Ferries of the Middle Mississippi River Valley
The Middle Mississippi River Valley offers six ferries, two of which travelers can cross free of charge. Four of these ferries are located in the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway area and the others cross the Mississippi River between Ste. Genevieve, Missouri and rural Randolph County, Illinois and southeastern Missouri and western Kentucky.
