Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route
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 Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route | |
|---|---|
 Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route highlighted in red | |
| Route information | |
| Maintained by IDOT | |
| Length | 33.0 mi[1] (53.1 km) |
| Existed | June 8, 1998[2]–present |
| Major junctions | |
| South end | Hartford |
| North end | Grafton |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| Counties | Jersey, Madison |
| Highway system | |
The Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route extends for 33.0 miles (53.1 km) in southwestern Illinois, travelling through the floodplain of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. The route has been officially designated as a National Scenic Byway by the Federal Highway Administration. The route coincides with a portion of the Great River Road.
The north end of the route is at Pere Marquette State Park, located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. The south end of the route is at the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site, located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. The cities and villages of Grafton, Chautauqua, Elsah, Alton, East Alton, Wood River and Hartford are located along the route.
The Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail parallels the route between Pere Marquette State Park and Alton. The Confluence Bike Trail parallels the route from Alton south to Hartford. Other major points of interest along the Route include Piasa Park, the Clark Bridge in Alton, and the National Great Rivers Museum at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam.