Lowell Parkway Trail

Illinois

3 Reviews

The Lowell Parkway Trail runs through the charming town of Dixon, Illinois, boyhood home of Ronald Reagan. The trail occupies the rail bed of the old Illinois Central Railroad, between Lowell Park and John C. Roe Park, on the northwest side of the Rock River.

The scenic trail passes through lovely parks and a landscape of forest and cultivated fields. The Lowell Parkway Trail is popular with walkers, cyclists, joggers, wildlife-watchers and other outdoor recreationists. Benches along the trail and a picnic shelter make for peaceful places to sit and enjoy the scenery. You'll also find additional gravel trails in both Meadows and Lowell parks, the latter of which is on the National Register of Historic Places and has a designated Illinois Nature Preserve. Where the trail makes a dogleg into Lowell Park, you can continue heading northwest on a short piece of the Joe Stengel Trail, which goes a short distance to Penrose Road through Penrose Prairie. To pick up the rest of the Joe Stengel Trail, you'll have to go by road to Woosung.

Parking and Trail Access

Park at the southern end of the Lowell Parway Trail off Washington Avenue or at the northern end in Lowell Park (2114 Lowell Park Rd.).

Nice Ride

September 2015 campbob

I rode this trail this evening after my son's JV football game. It's a nice trail out to Lowell Park. I kept going straight rather than turning into Lowell as it's an old rail line. After Lowell it's gravel with grass growing through it. The grass was mowed on the "trail" portion so it wasn't difficult riding on my hybrid with 700x38 tires. It reached a road where it clearly ended, so I turned around. When I got back into Dixon I realized that I could follow the "Bike Route" signs and they led me to the riverfront bike path and back to the football stadium. That was much better as I got a little lost trying to get to the path on my way out. Since my ride was at dusk I was grateful that I had a headlight. Most of this trail is through a canopy of trees. I'm sure it would be a great ride on a sunny summer day due to all the shade. At dusk they made the trail pretty dark.

tree covered shaded asphalt path

April 2015 emeraldcajun

Well used asphalt trail runs from Dixon to Lowell Park. Lots of wildlife, turkeys, deer and chipmunks. Plenty of birds. Occasional sound of gunfire as trail runs behind Dixon Correctional Facility and a firing range . Pass in front of Walgreen's Estate. Connects to Meadows Park with several more miles of prarie trails along the Eock River

Great Place

June 2012 denalimark

The trail begins in northeast Dixon. It is level and paved and goes three miles to Lowell Park-a beautiful wooded area that is hilly. The trail is used by walkers, runners and bikers. It is wooded and shady. There are a few places where access can be gained to the trails in the Meadows area. These are not paved, are a little hilly and go through a variety of habitat areas including along the Rock River. There are fewer people that use these so one can enjoy a solitary experience. A great bike ride is on this trail, through the Meadows and then through Lowell Park.

Lowell Parkway Trail

Illinois

3 Reviews