The waterway that made Chicago! History is all along the trail. Many of the aquaducts and locks are very well preserved. The trail also has limited, but possible backpacking and canoe camping. The wildlife viewing is great: ducks,frogs,deer, herons and water snakes. Considering you are only 1 hour from Chicago it is a very wild place. The trail also has excellent access to the Illionis River for fishing. It is not Rocky Mountain National Park or the Boundary Waters but for a quick hiking or canoeing fix it is a great place.