Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park - Lock 21
Come visit Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park - Lock 21 in Wyanet, IL
Interactive Map of the Hennepin Canal
The Hennepin Canal is shaped like an upside down “T” and offers over 100 miles of scenic towpaths that abut the entire length of the waterway. The “mainline canal” is the base of the upside down T and the “feeder canal” is the stem that flows down from Rock Falls, IL.
Towpath is located on both sides of the majority of both the mainline canal and the feeder canal. There are two types of paved surfaces along the canal: gravel/aggregate lime or oil & chip. Portions of the trail must be shared by hikers, cyclists, and equestrians where towpath is located on only one side of the canal around the aqueducts. The table below shows the mainline canal’s towpath surface type for those who want to plan what type of surface they run or bike on.
The opposite side of the paved surface side is a grass trail for equestrian use. The grassy side can also be used by cyclists and hikers, but equestrians have the right-of-way.
Camping
The Hennepin Canal State Park is not enrolled in the camping reservation system and DOES NOT take camping reservations. Camping at the Canal is on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are no set check-in or check-out times. The Canal’s site security officer makes rounds to each campsite to collect camping fees, in-person. Campers can pay by cash or check.
Camping along the Hennepin Canal towpath is PROHIBITED – camping is only allowed in the designated campsites. Fires are only allowed in the state designated fire pits at the campgrounds. Camping is not permitted in the main complex area (the area around the visitor center).
Currently, the ONLY DRINKING WATER available on the ENTIRE canal is located at the main parking lot in front of the visitor center at the large shelter. There is also a faucet on the side of the visitor center, just to the left of the main entrance. There are no operable drinking water fountains along the rest of the canal so bring your own water for your hike or camping trip.
The canal offers class “C” (primitive camping without showers or electricity) for $8.00 per family/per night, regardless of mode of camping, i.e. tent, camper, pop-up.
Youth groups = $20.00 daily minimum. When the minimum has been met, each additional person is $2.00 per night. Each group of up to 15 youths must be supervised by at least one adult. Youths are considered persons under the age of 18.
IL Senior citizens camp for free from Monday-Thursday; Friday-Sunday = $8.00.
IL Disabled persons with a Class 2 or Class 2A card camp for free Sunday-Saturday.
