GETAWAYS
Bird Migration: Savanna, IL
Walk and Kayak
May 21-22, 2025
If this is your first hike of the year, please register for the season and fill out the mandatory Annual Registration Waiver.
May 21-22
2-days
$130.00 - $210.00
Difficulty rating
Miles
Approx 3.5 miles on Day 1, less than 1/2 mile on Day 2.
Connect with the fascinating world of birding by getting up close and personal to the vibrant spring bird & waterfowl migration along the picturesque Upper Mississippi River Valley in Savanna, IL. Led by experienced bird enthusiasts, Laura Simpson and Barb Karon, this engaging outing will help you identify and locate these stunning songbirds and intriguing diving ducks. This "Flyway Corridor" is a critical habitat where hundreds of thousands of birds and waterfowl stop to rest and feed while heading to their northern breeding grounds.
On the afternoon of day 2, you have the option to kayak on the Mighty Mississippi River. After being shuttled to our starting point, we paddle down river, past the Palisade bluffs, small islands, muskrat mounds, and maybe even see eagles flying overhead. An experience not to be missed!
We will stay overnight at the Quality Inn and Suites in Savanna, IL. Savanna is a small town by the Mighty Mississippi that is being revitalized, about 2 and 1/4 hour from Palatine, IL. Please check the detailed itinerary for information about our walk, hotel, and meals.
Hotel
Savanna Inn & Suites: 101 Valley View Drive, Savanna, IL 61074
815.273.2288
Located upon a hill overlooking the Mississippi River, this hotel is the ideal hub in which to explore the Mississippi Palisades and the protected Spring Lake Sanctuary.
You may choose a single king size room or two queen beds. All rooms are discounted for Trailbound Trips. Rooms include WiFi, TV, mini-frig, toiletries, and morning coffee/tea service.
Solo King size room is $133.20
Double Queen room is $144.30
Please call the hotel to reserve the room of your choice. Ask for a room held under Trailbound Trips. If you want help finding a roommate to share a double queen, please email hello@trailboundtrip.com
Room must be cancelled 24 hours before check-in (15:00) to avoid being charged.
Cost of registration is non-refundable if cancelled less than 72 hours before the trip.
Driving Directions
Upper Mississippi River Valley National Wildlife & Fish Refuge Spring Lake trailhead
Address: HWY IL-84. Savanna, IL
1/4 mile south of Seven Eagles Resort and Camp.
Google directions to Meet in parking lot with outhouse.
Savanna Inn and Suites
Address: 101 Valley View Drive, Savanna, IL 61074
What to Bring:
Comfortable walking shoes that can get dirty and/or wet
Binnoculars
Backpack
Layers & raingear
Sack lunch for 1st day of birding
Snacks for 2nd day
Water shoes for kayaking
Quote of the day:
“Cultivate a philosophic spirit, be content to sit and listen to the voices of the marsh; let the fascinating, mysterious, bewildering voices encompass you and hold your peace” Florence Merriam Bailey, Birds through an Opera-Glass
DAY 1
Our adventure into the world of birds and waterfowl begins at Spring Lake, a protected National Wildlife sancturary. We begin our walk along a unique path that goes through the middle of the backwaters of the Mississippi. Here in these quiet protected waters, the ducks, shorebirds and wildflowers flourish. This is a 3.5 mile path that we will walk along slowly to enjoy the wide variety of wildlife. Led by 2 experienced bird enthusiasts, Laura Simpson and Barb Karon, they will help you identify and show you the ducks and birds up close through their telescopes. You will also need to bring your own binnoculars for full enjoyment of the day. Lunch will be on the trail, enjoying your own sack lunch that you brought with you.
We will visit the Ingersoll Wetlands Learning Center, and check out the Sloan Marsh and activity of waterfowl.
For those who love freshly smoked fish, we will stop at Scafer Fisheries for samples. Bring your cooler if you think you might want to bring some home!
Then, onto the Thomson Causeway and Lock and Dam #13 to witness one of the most successful breeding grounds in the midwest for the majestic white pelican. Literally hundreds of white pelican fish and forage at this dam.
Check into the Savanna Inn and Suites hotel.
Dinner at Sippi-Side Pub and Grill.
Downtown Savanna, on the Mississippi River, we will enjoy their fresh meals with a front row view of the Mighty Mississippi. This restaurant has a great variety of fish, burgers, salads, & gourmet mac and cheese. We personally loved the grilled grouper tacos!
After dinner, you have the option to go “owling” nearby, play cards in the lobby, or relax in your own room.
DAY 2
Breakfast is on your own. The hotel only offers coffee and donuts in the lobby. There is a McDonalds across the street, or you may bring your own breakfast, stored in your room’s mini-frig. Please check-out early, and have your car packed.
Depart for the Mississippi Palisades State Park, only a 10 minute drive. We begin early, as the birds are most active in the morning. This 2,500 acre park is known for it’s steep cliffs along the river and unusual rock formations.
We will not need to walk far to see and hear the songbirds. The deep ravines with mature hardwood forests attract a wide variety of wildlife. We hope to see warblers, vireos, tanagers, flycatchers, as well as keeping our eye out for the trillium, shooting stars, and bluebells.
Lunch back at Sippi-side, beause it’s the best place in town!
Optional additional activity:
2 hour guided kayaking down the Mississippi River, with shuttle service- $80.00
Join local outfitter “Nuts Outdoors” at Savanna Marina to kayak on the Mighty Mississippi and see wildlife from a new perspective. Paddle for 2 hours downriver, about 3.75 miles, past the Palisade bluffs and some small islands. Nuts Outdoors provides both single and double kayaks. This activity depends on weather; it will not take place in rain or unsafe conditions. If canceled, you will receive an $80 refund.
Registration and purchase of kayaking will be directly with NutsOutdoors.
Depart for home, feeling invigorated and refreshed with your new skills of birding and new friends made along the journey.
Registration Cost
Included in booking:
3 guides for 2 days of birding and evening camaraderie
Access to view birds from telescopes
Photos from trip
Not included:
Hotel costs at Savanna Inn & Suites
Kayaking at $80.00 - includes shuttle, kayak, and guides
All meals
Binnoculars
Cancellations & Refunds
You may cancel your Getaway to Savanna for a full refund if made 30 days in advance.
If you cancel less than 30 days, a refund will be made if your spot can be filled from a wait list.
If you cancel less than 72 hours, Trailbound will not refund your registration.
Itinerary may change due to weather.