The natural beauties of the county are many and cannot be surpassed. Carroll Creek, or the "Waukarusa" the Indian name given it, starts from Badger Springs, near Shannon, flows just north of Lanark, winds its crooked way westward, passes through Mt. Carroll, through City Park, thence through Smith's Park, to Plum River and on to the Mississippi at Savanna.
Plum River, which has its source in Jo Daviess County, passes through Freedom and Woodland townships in Carroll County. Elkhorn Creek, quite a pretentious stream, flows through Milledgeville southward making the county a well-watered one at all seasons of the year, for there are many "runs", rivulets, and small creeks running into and feeding the larger streams, while Johnson Creek starting southeast of Mt. Carroll, meanders through Salem, Mt. Carroll and York townships, growing in size before it reaches the Mississippi.

Point Rock Mt. Carroll - On the right is 1928 Below the cave is the grotto and along the way are many curious formations which have been given fanciful names, some ofwhich have not been an improvement on those ofthe early pioneers. What is nowknown as Point Rock, where one enters the dells, was called Poet's Rock by the young people ofthe pioneer days. Here the swains of early days were wont to retire to indite those tender epistles which won thehearts of the maidens of pioneer days. After this period was passed through the rock became a trysting place forhappy lovers. (Newton Bateman, P.S. (1913). Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Carroll County Vol. II. Chicago: Munsell Publishing)

This note from Paul Christian -- I would be amiss to not include this very beautiful, wonderful park. As a child during the 1960s this was a favorite place my grandmother and I would go. It was just a short walk from her home. In the spring time we would get wild asparagus that grew on the hills. She and I would fish for the suckers and carp that were abundant in the creeks with bamboo poles, we would catch them for fun, then release for they weren't good eating - only fun to catch. Later on in my teenage years my first date was at this location. It was for many generations of Christian Family members of romantic spot to visit. My fondest memories occurred here and with a great deal of certainty other geneerations did to or this whole nortion of genealogy wouldn't work, smile.

High Bridge, Mt. Carroll - Contributed by Alice Horner