Starting from Blackhawk Park in Rockford, this stretch of the Rock River flows 14 miles downstream to city of Byron. The scenery along this section is a mix of wooded shoreline, open rural terrain, small river islands, and some suburban development, especially near the put-in and take-out spots. The trip is a great option for beginners as the access points are very accessible with easy parking, the river is very flat, and there are minimal obstructions making it easy to navigate.