The Kickapoo Rail Trail (KRT) is an in-progress 24.5 mile multi-use trail that will connect the City of Urbana to Kickapoo State Park, and several communities along its path. The KRT follows a rail corridor abandoned in the 1980’s, providing safe off-road transportation and recreation opportunities between many communities and parks. Currently, the Urbana to St. Joseph (6.7mi), Ogden (1.5mi), and Oakwood to Kickapoo State Park (3.1mi) sections are open. You can view the full trail map here. By the end of 2026, all sections excluding Ogden to Fithian are expected to be completed. Read more on our Project Updates page.

​

In June 2026, the trestle bridge crossing the Middle Fork Vermillion River was named the Bennett Trestle Bridge to remember the late Senator Scott Bennett's contributions to the Kickapoo Rail Trail and to the people of Illinois. Late Senator Bennett championed a large amount of grant funding to complete the Kickapoo Rail Trail. His memorial bridge and its beautiful views will always be one of the greatest highlights of visiting the trail. 

​

Trail History

To learn more about natural and cultural history in our region, visit our ​Nature & History page.

​

The original rail corridor was first established in 1872 and was later developed as an electric interurban between Champaign-Urbana and Danville in 1903. This interurban also connected to the University of Illinois campus, and was well utilized by students to easily travel to popular destinations like Homer Lake and Danville up until its decommissioning in 1956. The rail corridor continued operating for freight until abandonment in the 1980’s, when trail advocates and the Champaign County Design and Conservation Foundation jumped on the opportunity for trail development.

​

In 2013 after many years of advocacy, fundraising, and planning, the rail corridor was purchased and ownership was conveyed to the Champaign County Forest Preserves and the Vermilion County Conservation District. The first section of trail opened between Urbana and St. Joseph in 2017, followed by the Oakwood-Kickapoo section in 2021, and the Ogden section in 2022.

​

Much of the KRT was made possible by congressional support led by Representative Ammons, late State Senator Bennett, and State Senator Faraci, including the ongoing construction to finish all trail sections excluding Ogden to Fithian. This construction also includes the first section of trail that will connect to a handful of destinations in residential Urbana – Weaver Park, Bakers Lane Trail, Dr. Williams Elementary, and the Urbana Health & Wellness Center. For the first time, Urbana residents will be able to walk and bike between these destinations entirely off-road.

​

The Future of the KRT

Future trail sections expanding upon the original 24.5mi trail are also in the works. Planning for a KRT extension into Danville is currently underway, and there are plans to extend the KRT across the cities of Urbana and Champaign in the future. Further information can be found on the Plans & Studies page.

​

When completed across Champaign-Urbana into Danville, the KRT will offer unprecedented opportunities for active transportation, recreational access, economic development, and community building in a continuous corridor across seven municipalities. For the most recent updates, check our Project Updates page.