GETAWAYS
Maquoketa Caves & Mississippi Flyway Migration: Savanna, IL
April 14-16, 2026
If this is your first hike of the year, please register for the season and fill out the mandatory Annual Registration Waiver.
April 14-16
3-days
$200.00
Average Difficulty rating
Miles
Ranges from 2 - 3.5 miles each day. Days # 1 & #2 have elevation gain/stairs. Day #3 is flat, but longer distance.
Come explore with Trailbound two State Parks and one National Wildlife Refuge! We begin with the Mississippi Palisades in Savanna, IL to marvel at the early spring wildflowers & unusual rock formations. Our view of the Mississippi River is outstanding and we hope to catch a few soaring eagles. The next day, we exlore the extensive and other wordly network of Maquoketa caves in Iowa. Formed from limestone deposits, you will get a thrill navigating through these spaces. We'll explore the 3 biggest caves and hike beautiful trails with a natural bridge, rock walls, and the babbling Racoon Creek. Our last day we will return to the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge, and walk the trail where 1,000’s of waterfowl layover in their spring migration. Our bird enthusiasts, Laura Simpson & Barb Karon, will be helping us get the most out of our day with their scopes and extensive knowledge. Truly a treat to experience this “Flyway Corridor” for those who love the shorebirds and waterfowl.
We will stay overnight at the Savanna Suites and Inn in Savanna, IL. Savanna is a small town by the Mighty Mississippi that is being revitalized, about 2 and 1/4 hour from Palatine, IL. Please check the detailed itinerary for information about our walk, hotel, and meals.
Hotel
Savanna Inn & Suites: 101 Valley View Drive, Savanna, IL 61074
815.273.2288
Located upon a hill overlooking the Mississippi River, this hotel is the ideal hub in which to explore the Mississippi Palisades and the backwaters of the Mississippi river.
You may choose a single king size room or two queen beds. All rooms are discounted for Trailbound Trips. Rooms include WiFi, TV, mini-frig, toiletries, and morning coffee/tea service.
Solo King size room is $120.00 + tax/night
Double Queen room is $130.00+ tax/night
Please call the hotel to reserve the room of your choice. Ask for a room held under Trailbound Trips in order to receive this discounted rate, only good if staying 2 nights. If you want help finding a roommate to share a double queen rrom, please email hello@trailboundtrip.com
Room must be cancelled 24 hours before check-in (15:00) to avoid being charged.
Cost of registration is refundable if made 60 days before the trip. If less than 60 days, it is refundable if there is someone on the waitlist. Registration is non-refundable if cancelled less than 72 hours before the trip.
Driving Directions
Savanna Inn and Suites
Address: 101 Valley View Drive, Savanna, IL 61074
What to Bring:
Comfortable walking shoes that can get dirty and/or wet
Hiking sticks
Binnoculars
Backpack
Layers & raingear
Sack lunch for 1st day
Snacks while hiking
Water bottle
Quote of the day:
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better”.
Albert Einstein
DAY 1
Bring your own lunch and meet your other Trailbound participants in the historic CCC built shelter at the Mississippi Palisades.
We’ll begin our hiking adventure on the majestic Sunset Loop, climbing past limestone rock formations and scenic overlooks that peer out over the Mississippi River. The trail winds through deep ravines and mature hardwood forest, delivering a rugged, heart-pumping experience you wouldn’t expect in Illinois. Next we’ll hop onto the Sentinel Trail, that is lined with wildflowers and welcomes us into the season.
The routes are short but steep: together they total about 2.5 miles with roughly 500 feet of elevation gain. Bring sturdy footwear, water, and a sense of wonder—this compact loop packs big views and memorable terrain.
These trails are only hiked on non-rainy days. Alternative trails will be chosen for inclement weather.
Check into the Savanna Inn and Suites hotel. Enjoy some afternoon tea/drinks with new friends in the lobby, or relax in your room until dinner.
Dinner at the new Eager Beaver Restaurant. Choices of BBQ ribs, pulled pork, or smoked ginger chicken. Bring your own favorite beverage. (Alcoholic beverages not served yet in this restaurant)
After dinner, relax in your own room or join in some group games in the lobby for more laughter and fun.
DAY 2
Breakfast in the Savanna Inn lobby for buffet
Depart for Maquoketa Caves State Park, about 50 min drive, taking us through eagle and white pelican habitat as we cross the Mississippi into Iowa.
Exploring the Maquoketa Caves State Park. One of the few areas of Iowa that esacaped the leveling glaciers and left beautiful limestone formations. We will hike along the high bluffs and hardwood trees while also exploring the larger caves. The CCC created paths through the caves, where water carved through the limestone bedrock. We begin our exploration through “Dancehall Cave” an 800 foot long cave with 3 entrances and tall enough to walk upright almost the entire path. One room of the cave was wide enough were dances were once held, giving the cave its name. Other amazing features of this park we will experience are the “ice cave”, walking under the immense “Natural Bridge”, and along the cliffs of “Balanced Rock”. We will stop for lunch with our Subway sandwiches in the park. Approximately 2 miles with 300 feet gain in elevation.
Visit the Ingersoll Wetlands Learning Center and check out Sloan Marsh, looking for potential White Pelican and other waterfowl. Inside the beautiful nature center, we will hear from local rangers about this unique habitat and local wildlife.
Dinner at Sippi-Side Pub and Grill.
Downtown Savanna, on the Mississippi River, we will enjoy their fresh meals with a front row view of the Mighty Mississippi. This restaurant has a great variety of fish, burgers, salads, & gourmet mac and cheese. We personally loved the grilled grouper tacos!
After dinner, relax in your own room or join in some group games in the lobby for more laughter and fun.
DAY 3
Breakfast in the hotel lobby.
Choose from an assortment breakfast items at the buffet.
Our adventure into the world of birds and waterfowl begins walking along the backwaters of the Mississippi river. Here in these quiet protected waters, the ducks and shorebirds thrive as they know they are safe. This is a 3.5 mile path that cuts through the middle of the backwaters on a levee system. We will walk along slowly to enjoy the wide variety of wildlife. Led by 2 experienced bird enthusiasts, Laura Simpson and Barb Karon, they will help you identify and enjoy the ducks and birds up close through their telescopes. You will also need to bring your own binnoculars for full enjoyment of the day.
Lunch at Manny’s Pizza. Known for their custom made individual pizzas and tex-mex dishes. We personally love their pizza’s.
Depart for home, feeling invigorated and refreshed from exploring new trails, acquring new skills of birding and some new friends made along the journey.
Registration Cost
Included in booking:
2 guides for hiking the trails at the Mississippi Palisades, Maquoketa Caves, the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge and evening comraderie
2 Bird Enthusiasts and their scopes for viewing the waterfowl migration on Day #3.
Subway lunch for Day #2 to Maquoketa Caves
Photos from trip
Not included:
Hotel costs at Savanna Inn & Suites
All meals (except one lunch)
Binnoculars
Cancellations & Refunds
You may cancel your Getaway to Savanna for a full refund if made 60 days in advance.
If you cancel less than 60 days, a refund will be made if your spot can be filled from a wait list.
If you cancel less than 72 hours, Trailbound will not refund your registration.
Itinerary may change due to weather.