Confluence Trail: Lock and Dam to Alton Hike

Hike the Confluence Trail in Alton along the Mississippi River where you can search the sky for eagles and watch the barges ply the river.

This is a 5.2-mile out-and-back walk on a paved trail that starts near the Melcin Price Lock and Dam and ends on the riverfront in Alton. It has only 69 feet of elevation gain and is stroller-friendly.

The full Madison County Transit Confluence Trail (MCT) is 20.5 miles stretching from Alton to Granite City.

*National Great Rivers Research Center sign*

Trailhead: National Great Rivers Research & Education Center

I parked near the National Great Rivers Research & Education Center.

Outside of the center — Outside the center

The building is eco-friendly and includes a green roof.

You can walk up a ramp to the top of the building to a lookout over the river.

View of the Mississippi River from the top.

*Learn about the area through the signs.*

Signs by the lookout talk about Maple Island across the river and its habitat.

The lookout is open from sunrise to sunset.

In front of the building is a recreated swamp and prairie area. Signs provide ecological information.

After checking out this area I headed to the MCT Confluence Trail. You could hike towards Granite City going right.

I went left and headed out along the trail which is on top of a high levee. It was a January day, so it was a bit cold. In summer it can be hot to walk up here actually since there is no shade.

National Great Rivers Museum

Next, I headed towards the Melvin Price Lock and Dam.

Next to the dam is the National Great Rivers Museum. The museum offers tours of the lock and dam along with displays on the Mississippi River. There are many exhibits along with my son’s favorite activity here, a barge simulation in which you can act like you are the captain of a barge. Also, there is a small aquarium. They also have other activities such as Eagle Days, check the website for more information.

Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Address: 1 Locks and Dam Way, Alton, IL 62002

Clark Bridge

I began to see the 4,620-foot-long cable-stayed Clark Bridge opened in 1994 and replaced a 1928 truss bridge.

You can see the yellow-colored cables high above the bridge for a long way from nearby Alton.

To the Bridge

Next, I heard the honking of geese above me, and then they splashed down into the water nearby.

Plying down the river I see a long barge.

Eagle's nest among the trees — *Eagle’s nest among the trees*

As I came closer to the bridge, I spied an eagle’s nest in a high tree in some swamp land near Illinois Highway 143. It is easier to spot the nests in winter when all the leaves are gone from the trees.

*Crossing a street to Russell Commons Park.*

The trail crosses Discovery Parkway. I enter Russell Commons Park. During the summer restrooms are open here.

If you want to walk further you can go to the left and follow signs for the Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail that goes into downtown Alton. The trail continues to Pere Marquette State Park.

This was my turn-around point.

Before I headed back up to the levee, I looked towards Alton seeing the painted grain elevator that proclaims “Welcome to Alton.” To the left of the sign is a riverboat casino. Downtown Alton has restaurants, shops, and historic sites.

Heading Back

This time I saw an eagle high above me, too far away for a photo though.

Then I noticed a road that the trail crosses above, didn’t notice it on the walk out.

A barge was now heading into the lock and dam.

Seeing another eagle's nest. — *Seeing another eagle’s nest.*

Looking again across Illinois Highway 143 I saw another eagle’s nest. If you walk this levee keep an eye on the high trees to the east for a view of their nests.

By the Lock and Dam

Walking back, I decided to walk closer to the National Great Rivers Museum along a sidewalk that goes near the lock and dam.

Down below numerous gulls gathered in the muddy area near the locks.

Signs along the sidewalk talk about the dam and river life.

*Crossing the entrance road near the restrooms.*

Then I came to where you can cross the museum entrance road and walk back to the levee and Confluence Trail. Restrooms and a covered picnic area are nearby.

Lastly, I was back by the trailhead once more.

Final Thoughts

This is an easy walk since there is not much elevation gain. I like the views and the chance to look to the skies for eagles, ducks, geese, and lots of other birds. I have seen pelicans here in the past.

*A sign along the trail gives an overview of the bike trail system.*

Details

Drive: Take Interstate 270 to Exit 31B. Go north on Missouri Highway 367 and continue going north as it becomes U.S. Highway 67. Then make a right onto Illinois Highway 143 then a right onto Locks and Dam Way and then a left onto Confluence Way and look for parking near the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center. Additional parking can be found to the left along Locks and Dam Way.

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Address: 1 Confluence Way, Alton, IL 62002