rock river trail air route

Visit and See The Rock River Trail By Air

Pilots and paddling, helicopters and hiking, barrel rolls and biking…all aviation enthusiasts will want to take advantage of the Rock River Trail’s latest addition – an air route.

The Rock River Trail Air Route features ten great airports along the river as it flows 320 miles through Wisconsin and Illinois. Each of these airports represents a gateway to the communities that the river has spawned over the many years since man has occupied the area. From the early history of the Middle Mississippian outpost of Aztalan (between the Watertown and Fort Atkinson, WI airports), to the site of Wisconsin’s First Flight in 1909 (Beloit), to the control airport of the first transcontinental flight (Quad Cities, IL airport), your options and experiences can match every need.

Enjoying the scenic beauty of the Rock River from the air is only part of the experience that the aviation route provides. From ancient Native American Indian Mounds, to replica forts, and modern sports facilities, you can enjoy it all. There are airports with hotels and airports that allow camping. You can make stops to museums of agricultural history (Deere), visit the stomping grounds that built the character of a president (Ronald Reagan) and Speaker of the House (Paul Ryan), or visit an extinct glacial lake that is the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States (Horicon Marsh).

Airport services include fuel, crew cars, on field or nearby restaurants, and locations that rent bicycles and canoes and kayaks. The Rock River Trail Air Route is one way to enjoy all 320 miles of the trail. Other trail options include: Paddling, Biking, Driving, Hiking and Horseback Riding.

The Rock River National Trail Air Route is a cooperative commitment of cities, towns, airports, FBO’s, Parks Directors, State Natural Resource Management, and the many small businesses devoted to your enjoyment of the river and surrounding area. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Airports Along The Rock River Trail

Juneau, WI (Horicon Marsh) 
Air Nav Link KUNU – Dodge County Airport
Dodge County Resources

Watertown, WI
Air Nav Link KRYV – Watertown Municipal Airport
Jefferson County Resources

Fort Atkinson, WI
Air Nav Link 61C – Fort Atkinson Municipal Airport
Jefferson County Resources

Janesville, WI
Air Nav Link KJVL – KJVL – Southern Wisconsin Regional
Rock County Resources

Beloit, WI
Air Nav Link 44C – Beloit Airport
Rock County Resources

Rockford, IL
Air Nav Link KRFD – Chicago-Rockford International Airport
Winnebago County Resources

Oregon/Mt. Morris, IL
Air Nav Link C55 – Ogle County Airport
Ogle County Resources

Dixon, IL
Air Nav Link C73 – Charles R. Walgreen Field
Lee County Resources

Sterling/Rock Falls, IL
Air Nav Link KSQI – Whiteside Co. Airport
Whiteside County Resources

Moline, IL
Air Nav Link KMLI – Quad City International Airport
Rock Island County Resources

Lakeview campground and bar Koshkonong Rock river Trail (Custom) (2)

Many restaurants and bars can be found along the water on the Rock River Trail. Pictured is Lakeview Campground and Bar on Lake Koshkonong,