Directions

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The Franklin Creek State Natural Area is located in Lee County, Illinois, northwest of the village of Franklin Grove and east of Dixon just north of IL Rt. 38.  The Grist Mill is roughly in the center of the Natural Area and is a welcome and interpretive center for the park. Once at the Grist Mill, you can use the State Natural Area Map to get to each Day Use Area and Trail Heads. The addresses below will help you get to locations with the State Natural Area, but are not necessarily the exact location of the shelter or trail head.  
​More info about the State Natural Area and how to rent a shelter can be found on their website. 

Grist Mill:
 1893 Twist Rd.
Franklin Grove, IL 61031
Franklin Creek State Natural Area HQ:
​1872 Twist Rd.
Franklin Grove, IL 61031
Equestrian Campground:
​1888 Twist Rd.
Franklin Grove, IL 61031

Mill Spring Day Use Area:
1457 Old Mill Rd
Franklin Grove, IL 61031
Norwegian Hills Day Use Area:
1602 Old Mill Rd.
Franklin Grove, IL 61031
(takes you to entrance rd. that leads to shelters)
John Husar Memorial Trail:
1508 Old Mill Rd.
Franklin Grove, IL 61031
(not on map)

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Directions to the Grist Mill

FROM CHICAGO
​100 miles

• I-290 West to I-88 East/West Tollway (14 miles)
• I-88 West to I-39 North (61. 8 miles)
• I-39 North to IL-38/E (1.97 miles)
• Turn left (west) on IL-38/E. Continue to follow IL-38 (about 21 miles)
• Turn right onto Twist Rd. Drive 1.64 miles.
• 1893 TWIST RD is on the left.

FROM IOWA
​85 miles

• I-80 E toward Chicago to I-88 East/West Tollway. (40.34 miles) Exit 4B toward Sterling/Rock Falls
• I-88 E to IL-26 exit toward Dixon. (54.21 miles)
• IL-26/S Galena Ave. for 2.25 miles to E 7th St/US-52 E/IL-38. Turn right. Continue to follow IL-38. (6.91 miles)
• Turn left onto Twist Rd. Drive 1.64 miles.
• 1893 TWIST RD is on the left.

FROM ROCKFORD
​37.5 miles

• IL-2/S Main St south to IL-72/S Union St. (15.5 miles) Turn left. 
• Follow IL-72 across the Rock River to N River Rd/County Hwy-33 (0.36 miles). Turn right.
• N River Rd to IL-64/E Washington St (9.75 miles). Turn left.
• IL-64/E Washington St. for 0.33 miles to S Daysville Rd/County Hwy-5. Turn right.
• S Daysville Rd to S Lowden Rd/County Hwy-27. (2.35 miles) Turn right. 
• Take S Lowden Rd to Naylor Rd. (7.98 miles) Turn right.
• In 0.5 miles turn on the 1st road on the left onto Twist Rd.
  Drive 0.8 miles.
• 1893 TWIST RD is on the right.

FROM SPRINGFIELD
​182 miles

• I-55 N toward Chicago to I-39 N/US-51 N (66.46 miles)
• I-39 N for 87.91 miles to US-30, Exit 87. Turn left towards Sterling-Rock Falls.
• US-30 to Franklin Rd/County Hwy-3. (15.87 miles) Turn right.
• Drive along County Hwy-3 for 5.4 miles to Gap Rd/County Hwy-2. Turn left.
• County Hwy-2 for 0.42 miles to IL-38/County Hwy-25. Turn left.
• Drive IL-38 for 1.39 miles to Twist Road. Turn right. 
  ​Drive 1.64 miles.
• 1893 TWIST RD is on the left.