Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail

The Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail is a paved path that runs about 20 miles from Pere Marquette State Park south to Alton, linking the park with the Great River Road towns. IDNR opens it to cyclists, walkers, runners and strollers, but not horses. It is the only place to ride a bike in the park: biking on the hiking trails is illegal.

The Route

IDNR describes the trail as running from Pere Marquette State Park to the City of Alton, about 20 miles south, paved all the way. Its two ends are the same as those of the Route 100 stretch of the Meeting of the Great Rivers byway, which runs from Alton along the bluffs through Grafton to the park. In Alton, the park beneath the Piasa Bird mural is listed by Alton Main Street as a starting point for the Great River Road bike trail. See the Great River Road and the Piasa Bird.

Who Can Use It

• Yes: bicycles, walking, hiking, jogging and pushing strollers.
• No: horses or any other equestrian use. Riders have their own trails; see horseback riding.

Where to Start

• At Pere Marquette: park at the Visitor Center or the riverside lots on Route 100. See parking.
• In Alton: start near the Piasa Bird at the edge of the Mississippi.

Good For

• A paved ride, open to strollers, for families and young riders.
• A long out-and-back: about 20 miles each way between the park and Alton.
• Fall color and winter eagle spotting along the river. See eagle watching.

Maybe Skip If

• You want hills or singletrack: the park's hilly trails are closed to bikes. Hike them instead; see hiking.

Rules to Know

• Bikes stay on the paved trail; IDNR says it is illegal to ride on the park's hiking trails.
• No horses on the bike trail.
• Dogs in the park must be leashed.