This Earth Day Adopt a Stormwater Grate
For Earth Day we invite you to do GrateWorks for your River! Adopt a stormwater grate in your community and keep it clear of garbage... Read More
10,000+ free oak & pecan saplings to be distributed by Rock River Trail
Celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day by planting a free oak or pecan tree! For the 14th year in a row, the Rock River Trail... Read More
Bicyclist Finishes 320 Miles of Rock River Trail
Congratulations to Jason Schneider of Sterling, IL for completing the entire Bike Route of the Rock River Trail! He traveled from September 19 – 22,... Read More
Flying Adventures on the Rock River Trail Air Route
Student pilot and flight instructor found navigating along the Rock River by air was a fun lesson in pilotage! Both student and instructor will receive... Read More
Earth Day Walkabout Offers Sneak Peek At New Confluence Conservation Area on Rock River
The Rock River Trail visitor center is located at Nature At The Confluence in South Beloit. We are pleased to co-host this event with Nature... Read More
Bicyclists receive 320-mile award
Bicycling friends Michael Smith and Dave Kuntzelman headed out a on Rock River Trail biking adventure this spring, May 5-9, 2021. They started in Rock... Read More
Rock River Landing Park in Jefferson, WI | Example of great reuse of land
Kudos to the City of Jefferson, WI and Jefferson County on partnering together to make a beautiful, new park on the Rock River. This park... Read More
Enhance The Rock River Ecosystem through Shoreline Management
One of the goals of the Rock River Trail Initiative is to enhance the river ecosystem through natural resource conservation, stewardship and environmental planning and... Read More
From Mammoths to Muskets – 13,000+ Years of Human History In and Around Pheasant Branch Conservancy
In this recorded program Archaeologist Ryan J. Howell provides an excellent overview of ancient Native American history in Southern Wisconsin dating from the last Ice... Read More
The Joy Of Hitting “Repeat” In Nature
By Therese Oldenburg, Executive Director, Nature At The Confluence and Co-Coordinator of Rock River Trail If we’ve learned anything from 2020, it’s that there is... Read More
Rock River History – The Milwaukee and Rock River Canal
Have you ever heard of the the Milwaukee and Rock River Canal? That’s because it never happened! In 1836 the Milwaukee & Rock River Canal... Read More
Five 320-Milers Added to Wall of Fame
People have been hitting the Rock River Trail this summer and exploring its communities along the way! These people have complete the whole trail and... Read More
Find Famous Art along the Rock River Art Trail
One of Wisconsin’s most hauntingly beautiful sculptures can be found in Waupun, Wisconsin at the Forest Mound Cemetery. Clarence Shaler commissioned Chicago sculptor Lorado Taft... Read More
Rock River clean up challenge goes high tech on June 15-28 with Litterati app
Wisconsin and Illinois residents can join the challenge using Litterati app! Masks On, Litter Gone! The Rock River Trail and Rock River Coalition are partnering... Read More
Explore the Rock River Trail a bit at a time!
You don’t have to explore the entire 320 miles of the Rock River Trail to earn a 320-Mile Award. You can break up your trip... Read More
Rock River Road Trip | Dodge County, WI
Enjoy learning more about Dodge County in Wisconsin in this brand new Discover Wisconsin video. Hear about how Jeff Bahls “ran away from home” when... Read More
Patch Birding Along The Rock River Trail
Patch Birding or Yard Birding is a fun way to watch and keep track of all the birds in a specific areas. Patch Birding or... Read More
Rock River Trail Road Trip Tip | Fort Atkinson
One of the most scenic covered bridges in Wisconsin is Jefferson County, near Fort Atkinson, WI. This red covered bridge is part of the Glacial... Read More
Rock River Road Trip Tip | Grand Detour, IL
Where do the bison roam? Not far from the Rock River in Grand Detour, IL at Nachusa Grasslands! For a one of a kind hiking... Read More
Remembering Frank Schier – founder of Rock River Trail
Frank Schier (1954-2017) founded the Rock River Trail in 2010. Frank was an adventurer, writer, poet, entrepreneur and instigator…and without his vision, talents and tenacity,... Read More
Lyle Lidhom, 87 year old veteran, completes 320 Rock River Trail hike
Summer was just winding down when Lyle Lidholm, an 87 year old Korean War veteran embarked on his journey to become the first person to... Read More
87 Year Old Veteran Attempting to Be First To Walk Rock River Trail
Lyle Lidholm is an 87 year old (yes, 87!) Korean War veteran who is currently walking to attempt completing 320 miles of the Rock River... Read More
Ancient Aztalan : History Along The Rock River Trail
Find History Along The Rock River Trail! The Rock River is rich in history and there is no better place to learn about the ancient... Read More
The Great Race Across the Midwest: Big Boy No. 4014 Locomotive To Cross Rock River In Wisconsin and Illinois
Something BIG & Historic is going to cross the Rock River in WI and IL! The Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 Steam Locomotive... Read More
Wisconsin Paddler to set speed benchmark for paddling the Rock River!
Chris Luedke is taking on the challenge for paddling the whole 320 Miles of the Rock River Trail with a goal to finish in 5... Read More
Rock River Trail releases first promotional video for the Rock River Trail
This new video was created by renowned photographer and videographer Nels Akerlund. Nels is from Rockford, IL and intimately knows every turn of the Rock... Read More
Rock River Trail Initiative Receives 2018 Eddy Award From River Action, Davenport, Iowa
The Rock River Trail Initiative is proud to have received the 2018 Eddy Award for River Activity for its efforts “which went against the current... Read More
Rock River Trail receives Environmental Grant to support new visitor information center
The Rock River Trail is pleased to announce we have received a 2019 Environmental Grant in partnership with Nature At The Confluence from Illinois American Water to support... Read More
New Wine and Craft Beer Trail launches!
Your taste buds will be tantalized on our Rock River Wine & Craft Beer Trail! Taste award-wining wines and craft beers when you visit the... Read More
The Rock River Trail continues to expand and enhance visitor experiences in 2019
The Rock River Trail Initiative Council is comprised of individuals and organizations from along the trail that meet regularly to look for innovative ways to... Read More
Grassroots efforts to enhance game fish in the Rock River
Article by Dick Ellis, September/October 2018 Issue of On Wisconsin Outdoors at OnWisconsinOutdoors.com Another smallmouth rises from the softly flowing waters of the Rock River... Read More
Rock River Birding Trail is taking flight!
The Rock River corridor is rich in birds and wildlife! You’ll find outstanding places to view birds as the Rock River winds its way through... Read More
Pilot is first to complete the Rock River Trail Air Route
Emmons Patzer approached the Rock River Trail Iniative a few years ago recommending an Air Route that includes all 10 airports along the Rock River.... Read More
First 320-mile award for paddlers for 2018
Beloit, WI – Friday, July 13 – After 7 days on the Rock River in Wisconsin, Gary Meier, Terry Meyers and Perry Folts of Beloit, Wisconsin will... Read More
Bicyclist are first to finish the Rock River Trail Bike Route
The two cyclists who were the first to pedaling the complete Rock River Trail Bike Route made it to the Mississippi River on June 14,... Read More
Anything That Floats Race proceeds benefit the Rock River Trail
David Spencer of Rockford Park District (left) and Nels Akerlund of Nels Akerlund Photograph, Rockford, represented the Rock River Trail Initiative at the awards ceremony... Read More
RRT Co-Coordinator Receives Environmental Leadership Award
Co-Coordinator of The Rock River Trail Initiative and Nature At The Confluence’s Executive Director, Therese Oldenburg received the “Elly” Environmental Leadership Award from the Greater... Read More
2018 Progress Update for the Rock River Trail Initiative
In 2018 the Rock River Trail Initiative celebrates eight years since the inaugural river paddle in April 2010 set in motion implementation of plans to... Read More
A couple share a Geocaching Adventure on the Rock River Trail
Avid geocachers Lucy and Dale Kallenbach from Rockford, Illinois used their favorite outdoor activity to explore the Rock River Trail this past Fall. Geocaching! What is... Read More
Tips On How To Be A Safe Paddler
Nature At The Confluence in South Beloit, Illinois, recently held a “Safe Paddling 101” program so paddlers can learn how to be better prepared and... Read More
The Grand Opening of the Rock River Trail was a success!
The grand opening ceremony of the Rock River Trail was held June 3rd at Rotary River Center in Beloit, Wisconsin, with celebration activities in a... Read More
Beloit paddlers will trace the same route taken 122 years ago on the Rock River
The Beloit Daily News has unearthed an intriguing story that links two Rock River paddling journeys…But the journeys are separated by 122 years, one took... Read More
WI State Legislature honors Rock River Trail and its founder Frank Schier with Resolution
Therese Oldenburg from the Rock River Trail Initiative proudly watched from the floor as the Wisconsin Assembly voted on May 10 on Joint Resolution 44... Read More
Grand Opening of Rock River Trail set for June 3
After many years of planning and preparing, the grand opening of the Rock River Trail will be celebrated on Saturday, June 3, 2017, 10:00 –... Read More
Adventurer, Paddler, Photographer Nels Akerlund to be keynote speaker at RRT Grand Opening Ceremony
The Rock River Trail Initiative is pleased to announce that Nels Akerlund, reknowned photographer and adventurer from Rockford, Illinois, will be our keynote speaker at... Read More
Celebrate the trail’s Grand Opening June 3!
Help Us Celebrate the Grand Opening of the Rock River Trail! The grand opening celebration for the Rock River Trail will be held on Saturday,... Read More
Tribute to Rock River Trail Founder Frank Schier
Remembering Frank Schier The Rock River Trail Initiative would like to share a wonderful tribute that Frank Schier’s newspaper The Rock River Times published on... Read More
Rock River Art Route will inspire visitors to seek the creative side of Rock River communities
Come appreciate our creativity! Let the local roads of Wisconsin and Illinois take your heart along the Rock River Trail Art Route. Get ready to have... Read More
We’ve launched the Rock River Chocolate Trail
We invite you to savor the wonderful flavors of the Rock River Trail on our new Chocolate Trail! The Rock River Trail covers 320... Read More
Rock River Air Route is taking off with new signage
With a little help from our aviation friends, the word is getting out about the Rock River Trail Air Route. Eric Bickel, the owner of... Read More