Bike, Hike and Paddle in Beloit

Location: 2201 Whipple St. (Parking also avail. along Frederick St.)
Length:  .63 mile loop
Features: This small park offers a mowed walking trail around a pond. Prairie plants and water plants are abundant. No restrooms.

Location: 1101 Big Hill Rd.
Trail Length: Unpaved trails (both gravel and mowed dirt) over 5 miles; Paved bike path.
Features: Big Hill Park is one of Beloit’s most scenic sites. Located on the bluffs of the Rock River, this 190-acre park boasts nature and hiking trails, an environmental education center, bike trail, cross-country ski trail, a scenic overlook with spectacular vistas.

Big Hill Park was built as a memorial park for people who gave their life in World War I. Much of the construction took place in the early 1930s by the Wisconsin Civilian Conservation Corps. A famous 90 ft. bluff on the West bank of the Rock River had been used to hold annual ski jumping competitions by the Beloit Ski Club. When warm winter spells hit the City would import snow in railroad gondolas that were unloaded at the base of the slope. Even though the ski jump is no longer in existence, the spectacular view remains from the top of the bluff and you can now enjoy the view from the scenic overlook.

Location: Riverside Park, 1160 Riverside Dr.
Length: Approximately 9-mile loop
Features: This is one of the most popular places in Beloit to enjoy a run, a bike ride or a leisurely stroll along our beautiful riverfront. This paved trail winds along both sides of the Rock River and offers a variety of stops and lengths to enjoy. Public art can be found along the trail. Restrooms are available in Riverside Park.

Trail Heads/Parking
• Rotary River Center (1160 Riverside Dr.)
• Mid-Lawn Parking Lot (across from ABC Supply Headquarters on the north side of the tennis courts)
• North Parking Lot (across from the Eclipse Center on Riverside Dr.)
• US Pride Park (1765 Shore Drive)
• Iron Works South Parking Lot (Third St. and W. Grand Ave.)
• Turtle Park (1312 E. Grand Ave.)

Location: 400 Colby St.
Length: Under 1 mile loop
Features: This is a small park in an urban setting. Recently reclaimed and planted, it is now flourishing with prairie plants. Turtle Creek runs along one edge of the park. Crushed gravel trail. No restrooms.

Features: These trails offer you a way to get into nature right in the city! The mowed trails wind through woods following the contours of Turtle Creek. Wildlife sightings are frequent, including deer, fox, and hawks. There are varying options of trail length, with different loops available at different access points. Cross Country Ski Trails are groomed in the winter. No restrooms available.

Deerfield Estates Trail – Length: 2.63 miles – (Canterbury Dr., Deerfield and Sarah Ln., Creek Rd. and W. Hart Rd.)
Chatsworth Trail – Length: .91 mile – (Crittenden and Austin Pl., Chatsworth and E. Collingswood)
Moccasin Trail – Length: 1.29 miles– (Moccasin Trail and Bootmaker)
Milwaukee Road Trail – Length: 2.6 miles –  (Across from 1930 Milwaukee Road)

Rock River
Beloit is located at the half-way point of the 320 mile Rock River Trail, a national water trail. Due to a large dam in Beloit, you have two paddling options available on the Rock River: Launch north of Beloit and paddle down to take out before the dam, or launch at the John Rose Kayak and Canoe Launch and head downriver into Illinois.

Rock River Launches
Wootton Park – 1451 Fourth Street
John Rose Canoe/Kayak Launch – 534 Fourth Street (Chester Square Public Parking Lot) 

Turtle Creek
Turtle Creek is a beautiful waterway lined with woods that winds its way through 7 miles of Beloit. It’s a fun creek to kayak, canoe or tube on. Launch kayaks just north of Beloit.  

Riverside Park Lagoon Paddle Boat Rental
Location:  Riverside Park, 1160 Riverside Drive
Features: Have fun paddling with friends and family on our lagoon paddleboats. Single kayaks are also available.