Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park, Historic canal and state park in northwest Illinois, United States.
Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park is a waterway and recreation area in northwest Illinois spanning more than 75 miles with dozens of locks along its route. The waterway connects the Mississippi River to the Illinois River, passing through several counties and offering a network of trails and activity areas for visitors.
Construction began in 1890 and finished in 1907, making it the first American canal built entirely from concrete without stone facings. This early 20th-century project connected two major river systems and enabled water transport between them.
The waterway reflects early engineering approaches, with distinctive mechanical systems visible at several locks that show how people solved water management challenges. Visitors notice these technical features as they explore the canal, which shaped how communities along the route developed around water transport.
Visitors can access more than 155 miles (250 km) of trails for walking and biking, with designated areas for horseback riding, fishing, camping, and paddling. The route is flat and easy to navigate, with parking areas and rest spots distributed throughout the park.
Six original aqueducts cross rivers and streams along the waterway using elevated water bridges to span obstacles. These rare structures show how early engineers solved the challenge of carrying water across difficult terrain.
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