The mile-long Old Chain of Rocks Bridge 60-feet above the Mississippi River with a 30-degree turn midway was my quest today.

This bridge is historical since it once was part of a stretch of historic U.S. Route 66 and is at a major point along the Mississippi River near rock ledges that once created dangerous rapids for riverboats.

Driving To Old Chain of Rocks Bridge

I drove out to the bridge on Interstate 270 exiting onto Highway 3 south then a right turn onto Chain of Rocks Road.

Chain of Rocks Canal Bridge

First, you cross the old Route 66 Chain of Rocks Canal Bridge. The canal was built so barge traffic did not have to navigate over the Chain of Rocks rapids on the Mississippi River. 

This bridge is one lane with the other lane used for bicycle traffic. 

A stoplight has been placed at the front of the bridge and you wait for it to turn green before proceeding.

Eagle Points Trail

I stopped in the parking area once I crossed this bridge. Here you can bike or walk along the crushed rock Eagle Points Trail on the canal levee and watch the barges go up and down the canal. 

I did a short walk along it watching as a barge went under the bridge. Looking into the distance I saw farmland, trees, the canal spanning far off in either direction, it was peaceful up here. I then hopped into the SUV toward the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge.

Old Chain of Rocks Bridge History

The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge was built in 1929. Massive concrete piers standing 55 feet above the high-water mark support the metal structure.

Back when the bridge was constructed before the canal river captains protested the building of it because they had to navigate the bridge, water intake towers for the Chain of Rocks pumping station, these provide water for St. Louis, and the Chain of Rocks. This was why there is a bend in the bridge.

Fast Facts

• Originally you had to pay a toll at ornate tollbooths, long gone, to cross the bridge.
• In 1936 Route 66 was rerouted over the bridge.
• The bridge was originally red, but in World War II it was painted green to make it less visible from the air.
• In 1967 the New Chain of Rocks Bridge was built and this bridge was closed. It is right next to it carrying fast-moving traffic on Interstate 270. 
• In 1980 film director John Carpenter used the bridge for the film Escape from New York.
• The bridge was reopened to bike and pedestrian traffic in 1999.

Parking by the Bridge

Parking is in front of the bridge early in the morning I was the only person here. I made sure to lock the SUV since there have been break-ins in the past in this lot. It was a bit eerie being here all by yourself on the bridge but at least it was quiet.

The Walk

The walk begins through a swampy area below for a way until finally, you come to the river. Here you see the new bridge to your north and the south there are river islands, the swirling river rapids, and the intake towers.

The 1890s water intake towers for the St. Louis Water Department are ornate structures and look like mini-mansions on the river. The white stone, roofs, intricate stonework, are something to marvel at.

Today it was hazy, on a clear day you can see the skyline of St. Louis in the distance. If I squinted I could make out some shadowy buildings.

The bend opens up a section of the metal above allowed me to take some open shots.

Also, nearby there is an overlook on the bridge near the Route 66 sign.

I walked to the end of the Chain of Rocks Bridge to the Missouri side trailhead where you can take a break.

 Gated parking is available on this side.

The Missouri trailhead connects to the Riverfront Trail that goes all the way to downtown St. Louis and the Gateway Arch grounds.

Information signs provide context about the grounds and some history.

Then I turned around to head back. It is one mile across the bridge to Illinois.

Chouteau Island Fishing Area

It is hard to take a photo of the whole bridge once you are on it. I drove down to the Chouteau Island Fishing Area to the south of the bridge. The turn-off is just before bridge parking. 

Here I was below it and was able to gaze at the full length of the bridge and was down on the riverbank watching the brown water race by with large dead tree trunks headed down the river to New Orleans and then out to sea.

I also walked out onto some circle cement pylons that are part of the low water dam that was built here. This is only possible if the river is down. If the river is really low you have sand down this way at least in the past.

Men were fishing across a small ditch from the parking area. A simple bridge using river logs had been made by fishermen to cross into this wooded area. I thought about crossing it, but decided it wasn’t worth the effort since I would just have to cross right back, although it did look stable.

Final Thoughts

I spent some time here thinking about the river and trying to imagine cars crossing this old bridge in the 1930s driving slow around the curve. Or river barge captain navigating the Chain of Rocks.

Now it was all eerily silent as progress has been made with an interstate bridge and a canal. Here the river is wild again and not tamed by man’s hand, something you rarely see along the Mississippi and worth a moment to ponder.  

OLD CHAIN OF ROCKS BRIDGE DETAILS

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Admission: Free

Address: 4205-4207 Chain of Rocks Rd, Granite City, IL 62040

More Dad Hikes Along the Mississippi River

Dad Hikes: Cliff Cave Park

Near St. Louis is Cliff Cave Park with panoramic Mississippi River views and a cave to check out along its trails.

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Dad Hikes: Olin Nature Preserve

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Dad Hikes: Illinois Mississippi River Bluffs

My journey today was to explore two trails along the bluffs on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River just south of St. Louis.

Dad Hikes: Sunflowers and Ferry Rides

Our adventure included fields of golden sunflowers and a Mississippi River ferry ride.

Dad Hikes: Horseshoe Lake State Park

Walking among the green stalks of a cornfield and admiring the lakeside flowers were part of our adventure on Walker’s Island at Horseshoe Lake State Park.

It is the second-largest natural lake in Illinois and is about 25 minutes away from Edwardsville and just a few miles across the river from downtown St. Louis. It had once been part of the Mississippi River before it changed course closer to the city at some point in the past.

Dad Hikes — Many times I will do these hikes alone to learn the lay of the land before we do it as a family. Feel free to share suggestions for hikes to do. Also, share any questions you might have on the hikes!