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The Illinois River channel widens out considerably here at the latitude of Peoria County, prompting local Indians to dub it, Pimiteoui ("fat lake"). Beyond the river  itself, perhaps the most captivating scenery involves the high bluffs lining both sides of the 5-7 mile wide river valley here. Between mid-October and early November these densely forested, sugar maple-dominated bluff slopes are an astonishing fall color mosaic of yellows, oranges, salmons and ruby-reds. Up-close views of these majestic bluff forests can be seen at area parks such as Detweiller, Robinson and Camp Wokanda.
A tiny by brilliant gem is Bennett's Terraqueous Gardens, a small bluff-side seep just off of State Route 116 in East Peoria, which contains a small marsh, woodland trail and charming learning station.
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2600 N. Main, Access Road #6, East Peoria, IL 61611
Bennett's Terraqueous Gardens is a high-quality seep that lies at the base of deeply dissected bluffs and hills bordering the...Read Details
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GPS: 40.69594, -89.540055
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Phone: (309) 699-3923
Area: EAST PEORIA
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Mariner's Way Road, East Peoria, IL 61611
East Peoria's Riverfront Greenway project is a 1.8-mile walking/hiking trail along the east bank of the Illinois River. Begin...Read Details
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GPS: 40.711044,-89.532373
Site Access: free; fee
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Phone: 309-699-3923
Area: EAST PEORIA
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1204 Riverside Drive, East Peoria, IL 61611
This eight-acre park located along the Illinois River in downtown East Peoria features a hiking/biking trail and decorative l...Read Details
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GPS: 40.685390, -89.582709
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Phone: (309) 698-4717
Area: EAST PEORIA
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1149 State Rt. 251, El Paso, IL 61738
Furrow's Red Barn Village is a prime example of the wave of creative agriculture currently sweeping through the Midwest's tra...Read Details
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GPS: 40.75611, -89.02538
Site Access: free; fee
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Phone: 309-527-8200
Area: EAST PEORIA
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236 State Rt 26, Lacon, IL 61540
Initiated in 1925, the Marshall State Fish & Wildlife Area presently includes about 6,000 acres spread over 3 different units...Read Details
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GPS: 40.95450, -89.42854
Site Access: free; fee for camping
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Phone: 309-246-8351
Area: EAST PEORIA
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201 Veterans Drive, East Peoria, IL 61611
Planned to run from East Peoria to Morton, phase I of this 10-foot wide hard-surfaced hiking/biking trail was completed in 19...Read Details
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GPS: 40.66422, -89.56439
Site Access: free
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Phone: 309-699-3923
Area: East Peoria
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Bennington Street, Toluca, IL 61369
In 1893, the Santa Fe Railroad purchased 11,000 acres here, and authorized the Devlin Coal Company to mine the site. Peak pro...Read Details
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GPS: 40.99964, -89.13413
Site Access: free
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Phone: 815-452-2536
Area: EAST PEORIA
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