Calhoun County Free Ferries
The Illinois Department of Transportation operates two free ferries 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week. |
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Brussels Free Ferry
618-786-3636 |
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Located about 1 mile west of
Grafton and 4 miles east of
Pere Marquette State
Park, this ferry crosses the Illinois River linking Route 100 to Calhoun County
and the village of Brussels. On busy days, such as weekends in the fall, there are two ferries
operating to cut down on the waiting times. The ferries help keep the
river free of ice during the winter and the action of their propellers
stun fish and help bring them to the surface. These fish become easy prey
for Bald Eagles making the Brussels Free Ferry Area one of the prime bald
eagle watching spots in the region.
 GPS
Coordinates (Jersey County Landing)
N 38° 58.074'
W 90° 29.712' |
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Kampsville Free Ferry
618-653-4518 |
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The Kampsville
Free Ferry allows easy access to and from Jersey and Green Counties and Calhoun County.
South of Kampsville near Hardin the Great River
Road splits into an Eastern and Western Branch. Travelers taking the
Eastern Branch will follow the original Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic
Byway route to the village of Eldred and by following Route 108 West will
cross the Illinois River by means of the Kampsville Free Ferry into
Kampsville where they will reconnect with the main branch of the Great
River Road.
This ferry takes cars from IL-108
from Jersey County into the town of Kampsville where it
links up with IL-100 (the Great River Road south) and IL-96 (the Great River
Road north)
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Calhoun
County Toll
Ferries
There are two ferries operated by the Calhoun Ferry Company.
Toll fees: Car or pickup truck: $8 one-way or $15 round trip.
Motorcycles: $5 one-way or $9 round trip. Bicycles: $4. Foot passengers $3.
Schedule:
Monday - Thursday: 5 am - 9 pm
Friday - Saturday: 5 am - 2 am
Sunday: 8 am - 9 pm
Holidays: 8 am - 9 pm
The Golden Eagle is open until 2 am on Friday and
Saturday nights.
Rates and hours subject to change.
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Golden Eagle
Ferry
618-535-5759 |
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This ferry
takes vehicles across the Mississippi River between the small town of Golden
Eagle in Calhoun County in
Illinois and St. Charles County in Missouri. To reach the Golden Eagle
Ferry from Pere Marquette State Park or Grafton, cross the Brussels Ferry
and continue on County Road 1 until you see the signs directing you to the
ferry. From the Missouri side of the Mississippi River take MO-94 to
County Road B north of St.
Charles. Take CR-B west to Golden Eagle Ferry
Road. Take Golden Eagle Ferry Road to the ferry. |
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Winfield
Ferry
618-535-5759 |
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This
ferry crossed the Mississippi River near the small town of Batchtown
into Lincoln County, Missouri
connecting with Route 79. The ferry runs right next to the
Sandy Island Bald Eagle Sanctuary & Lock and Dam #25 making it an ideal
spot to look for Bald Eagles in the winter.
The Winfield Ferry is currently closed. |
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Grafton,
Illinois
Located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, Grafton
has been the quintessential river town since its founding in 1832. The town’s
main industry today is tourism and features many antique and specialty shops,
places to eat, biking, hiking, and annual events. |
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The Grafton Ferry is closed. The City of
Grafton is working on funding to reopen it.
The Grafton Ferry is
located on the Illinois side at the foot of Illinois Route 3, just
upriver of the Grafton public boat ramp. On the Missouri side, it
terminates just off of Grafton Ferry Road alongside the St. Charles
County Airport. From there it is a short ride to highway 94 and about 10
miles to the St. Charles city line.
Toll Fees: $8 one way and $15 round trip, $5 for
motorcycles, $4 for bicycles, & $3 for pedestrians) with reduced
rates for round trips.
Schedule:
Monday - Thursday: 6 am - 8 pm
Friday: 6 am - 10 pm
Saturday: 8 am
- 10 pm
Sundays: 10 am - 9 pm
The Grafton Ferry runs
every day except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day, or when
river conditions prevent safe operation.
Rates and hours subject to change.
GPS Coordinates
N 38° 57.460'
W 90° 26.145' |
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Location Map for the
Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway Area Ferries
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Other Ferries operating in the Middle Mississippi River Valley |
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Canton,
Missouri
The ferry at Canton, Missouri is the only means of crossing
the Mississippi River between Keokuk, Iowa and Quincy,
Illinois. |
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Canton Ferry
Canton Riverfront
Canton, MO
573-288-3230 |
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The Canton Ferry is the longest continually operating ferry on
the Mississippi having been in service since 1853. The ferry
operates south of Lock and Dam #20 between the landing on the Canton Riverfront
in Lewis County, Missouri to the
landing at Meyer, in Adams County, Illinois. The ferry carries all size vehicles
from bicycles to semi trucks. The current ferry was put into
operation in 1994.
The Canton Ferry runs from 8 am -5 pm during the winter months and 8
am - 7
pm during the summer months. The Canton Ferry is a toll ferry. |
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 The Missouri Audubon Society
maintains a
checklist for birds that can be seen near the Canton
Ferry. |
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Ste.
Genevieve, Missouri
Ste. Genevieve is in the heart of the French Colonial Country of the Middle
Mississippi River Valley. Situated about an hours drive south of St. Louis. Ste.
Genevieve offers its visitors a glimpse into the past with the largest
concentration of French Colonial architecture in the North America, many of
which are open to the public. This ferry may not be
operating due to low water conditions. |
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Ste.
Genevieve-Modoc Ferry
N. Main Street
Ste. Genevieve, MO |
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Follow
N. Main Street about 1 1/2 miles from the Historic District of
Ste. Genevieve to the Little Rock Landing on the Mississippi
River. The Modoc Landing is accessible from IL-3 and IL-155 in
Randolph County on the Illinois side. The ferry runs during daylight hours
approximately every fifteen minutes and a fee is charged.
Unsuitable water levels or
freezing may cause ferry crossing interruptions.
A good way to check
the ferry’s status without going to the landing is to visit
its website.
GPS Coordinates
for the Sainte Genevieve landing
N 38° 00.246'
W 90° 03.554' |
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Dorena, Missouri - Hickman, Kentucky
The ferry crossing the Mississippi River near the small town
of Dorena in southeast Missouri and Hickman Kentucky neat
the Kentucky and state of Mississippi border is the only
means of crossing the Mississippi River between Cairo,
Illinois and New Madrid, Missouri. |
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Dorena-Hickman Ferry
Hickman, KY
731-693-0210 |
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The Dorena-Hickman Toll Ferry is one of the few remaining
riverboat ferries in the United States and the only operating ferry
crossing the Mississippi River between Missouri and Kentucky. A ride on
the ferry provides a unique opportunity to experience the wonder and
beauty of the Mighty Mississippi. The Dorena-Hickman Toll Ferry can be
accessed at the end of State Highway A near Dorena, MO or Hickman Ferry
Crossing off Kentucky State Highway 1354. The ferry operates during
daylight hours seven days a week year round except Christmas Day. |
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