Join a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Park Ranger for a lock and dam tour. Public tours can be scheduled on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Topics covered during lock and dam tours are river history, lock and dam operation, towboats, barges, cargo, river hazards and much more.

These walking tours will be about an hour long and are dependent on weather conditions. Tour size is limited to 25 people. Lock and dam tours involve walking out onto the lock, therefore proper footwear (enclosed shoes) will be required. Cameras and purses/bags will not be allowed on the tours. Group tours must call ahead. Specific lock sites and requirements are listed below.

Lock & Dam 11 in Dubuque, Iowa. Contact Dubuque ranger station for reservations, (563) 582-0881.

Lock & Dam 13 in Fulton, Illinois. Contact Thomson ranger station for reservations, (815) 259-3628.

Locks & Dam 15 on the Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois.  Contact the Mississippi River Visitor Center, (309) 794-5338.

Lock & Dam 16 in Illinois City, Illinois. Contact Muscatine ranger station for reservations, (563) 263-7913.