Inside Pere Marquette State Park
One of the most fascinating things to see at Pere Marquette would be to visit during the the Bald Eagle Days and try to spot the hundreds of nesting bald eagles. If bird-watching isnt your thing, this park has no shortage of fantastic accessibility to outdoor activities. Here are few of the options you may have while visiting:
Tent Camping Was Excellent
We had our guys only, annual camping trip here last weekend. It was fantastic. We had great weather. We chose the camping site at the top of the hill and back in the woods. It was perfect for us, because we are rather loud and vulgar at times, so we wanted to get far away as other people/families. This was the best site we could have asked for. There was plenty of room for our 3 tents and multiple guys, with vehicles for parking. Our site was fully shaded, had a big picnic table and a nice fire pit. Someone even left a huge log that we threw on the fire on saturday morning and it burned the entire day. We paid on the last day, while we were packing up, and it was cheap. $10 per night. The bathrooms were a super short drive to the bottom of the hill, with water fill-ups there as well. Overall, great campsite, beautiful weather, short drive from home, and cheap. A great experience.
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Years ago when I first visited the park I thought it was just beautiful. However today I thought it needed some major work. On the scenic drive none of the viewing areas had much to see. Trees and bushes were so tall thats all we could see and only for a very few feet. The stairs grown up with weeds. The camp ground was in poor shape mostly uneven sites. Hiking trails poorly marked. Decided not to even try staying at the lodge.
Pere Marquette Readies For Campers Return
A $1.9 million upgrade at Pere Marquette State Park awaits users of its 80-site camping facility when it reopens April 15. The work included upgraded electrical and water service, improved camping pads, easier access and even a better way to make reservations.
Each new camper pad at Pere Marquette State Park includes a longer and more gradual turning radius.
Pere Marquette Stables will open April 1 for reservations only, then will be fully open in May.
Pere Marquette State Parks hiking and biking trails are already open. Its renovated campground is set to reopen on April 15 following a $1.9 million upgrade.
GRAFTON The signs of spring are all around the area.
Trees are budding, birds are singing and reservations are now being taken for the newly-refurbished campground that will open April 15 at Pere Marquette State Park.
A $1.9 million state-funded project that had the 80-site camping facility closed for much of COVID-clouded 2020 has just been completed with grass seeding and fertilization last week. Campers will be able to take advantage of upgraded electrical and water service, improved camping pads and access, and even a better way to make reservations.
The Pere Marquette campground now has 20-, 30- and 50-amp service available for users, which site superintendent Chris Hespen said was long overdue.
On Sundays when leave the park, theyre going to be able to leave more efficiently without a backlog of waiting in line for their water dump-outs.
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Counties Within The Pere Marquette Are
Pere marquette state park camping. The Pere Marquette Lodge and Conference Center is the perfect option for campers who seek more modern comforts during their overnight stay. Pere Marquette State Park Campground is in a nice wooded area and has 87 single-family campsites for tents trailers and RVs. Illinois State Park.
To enjoy one of the most scenic views of the Mississippi River visitors love hitting the trails at the largest state park in Illinois. There are 72 guest rooms available and each room comes with amenities such as a private bath heating and air. Enjoy natures beauty by sleeping under the stars at clean campgrounds forests or parks in the West Michigan area.
13112 Visitor Center Lane. Pere Marquette State Park. However this is only during permitted seasons and in accordance with state regulations.
Group camping is also available. The Class A campground has 80 sites 30 of which are available for advance reservation as well as two Rent-a-Camp cabins. It is a bit on the rustic side of camping but many sites have.
Pere Marquette State Park is a nature lovers paradise. Pere Marquette became a state park in 1932 after locals raised the money to buy the land and the state matched it. Pere Marquette State Park.
Located an hour from St. Take the Scenic Drive and see why this park near St. Sites have electrical hookups with a sanitary dump station drinking water and a shower building available on the grounds.
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Pere Marquette State Park Visitor Center
The Pere Marquette Visitors Center is located at the entrance of Pere Marquette State Park. The Visitors Center has several displays telling the story of the famous explorers Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet. Visitors can also learn about the evolution of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. Maps of hiking trails and reservations for the campgrounds can also be obtained at the center.
It also has a three-dimensional map of the park, and numerous displays and exhibits featuring wildlife habitat, local history, geology and the ecology of the Illinois River. In the winter, the center is the starting point for numerous eagle tours from late December through February.
To enjoy one of the most scenic views of the Mississippi River, visitors love hitting the trails at the largest state park in Illinois.
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Outside Pere Marquette State Park
Once you have traveled the paths of Pere Marquette, you will find that there is much to enjoy in the surrounding area: sensational scenery, award-winning wineries, golf courses, restaurants, water activities, sporting events, antique shopping, historical museums and more. The park is located along one of the most beautiful stretches of the Great River Road, a section that has been designated as the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway.
Rv Resorts & Campsites In Pere Marquette State Park
Campers will find plenty to like at Pere Marquette, from campsites and cabins to the popular Youth Tent Camp and three group camps. It is a bit on the rustic side of camping but many sites have electric hookups. The nightly camp rates start at $20.
You can absolutely camp with nature and take in the magnificent sounds of the park in your sleeping bag under the stars or in your tent. But if the wilderness nightlife isnt your thing, you should consider renting an RV with RVshare.com to create your own customized comfort and style and check out a few other great RV parks we have to share with you.
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Newly Refurbished Pere Marquette State Park Readies For Return
Pere Marquette State Parks hiking and biking trails are already open. Its renovated campground is set to reopen on April 15 following a $1.9 million upgrade.
Pere Marquette Stables will open April 1 for reservations only, then will be fully open in May.
A $1.9 million upgrade at Pere Marquette State Park awaits users of its 80-site camping facility when it reopens April 15. The work included upgraded electrical and water service, improved camping pads and easier access.
Each new camper pad at Pere Marquette State Park includes a longer and more gradual turning radius.
GRAFTON The signs of spring are all around the area.
Trees are budding, birds are singing and reservations are now being taken for the newly refurbished campground that will open April 15 at Pere Marquette State Park.
A $1.9 million state-funded project that had the 80-site camping facility closed for much of pandemic-clouded 2020 has just been completed with grass seeding and fertilization last week. Campers will be able to take advantage of upgraded electrical and water service, improved camping pads and access, and even a better way to make reservations.
The Pere Marquette campground now has 20-, 30- and 50-amp service available for users, which site superintendent Chris Hespen said was long overdue.
Campers who have used Pere Marquette in the past will be pleased to learn an additional water dump station has been added and the existing station has been upgraded.
The Goat Cliff Trail At Pere Marquette State Park
The difficulty level of this trail is easy to moderate and extends for one and 1/2 miles. Hikers stand on the Cap au Gres Fault and pass by underground springs gushing out from under the trail. It ends at McAdams Peak, where hikers can gaze into three different bodies of water and see an Indian burial mound nearby.
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Pere Marquette State Park
13112 Visitor Center Lane, Grafton IL 62037 |
Pere Marquette State Park offers a variety of recreational opportunities along with spectacular views of the Illinois River and its backwaters from atop the bluffs. The presence of around 230 species of birds makes bird watching popular, hotspots include Stump Lake, the river bottoms, McAdams Peak, and scenic overlooks along the roadway. A large boat ramp, with ample parking, provides access to the Illinois River, its backwaters, and the Mississippi River beyond. Anglers will enjoy fishing for bluegill, carp, catfish, crappie, drum, largemouth bass, and white bass. Rustic camping is available, including 80 sites with electric only, tent sites, and group camping. Other lodging opportunities include the Pere Marquette Lodge rooms and cabins. The park contains 12 miles of hiking trails for various abilities, 20 miles of equestrian trails, access to the 20-mile, paved Sam Vadalabene bike trail, and is now open for rock climbing. A public hunting offers excellent habitat for squirrel, deer, turkey, and more. The park is a hot spot for fall foliage drives in autumn and Bald Eagle viewing in winter. Tours of the bluffs and woods allow visitors to get an up close look at bald eagles along the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers.
One Comment On Pere Marquette State Park
I made a reservation for campsite #74 for July 12-15 because my niece is getting married at the Lodge that weekend. I just went and visited the campground today and was appalled at the conditions there. There is absolutely no privacy or separation between campsites. The one that I reserved, has no level ground or gravel where you are supposed to back the camper into. It is at a 30° grade uphill, and has a huge dip in the middle. There is NO WAY anyone could back a camper in there and have it be leveled. You would need a stack of wood 3 ft high on your front stabilizer Jacks in order for it to be level. How they can even have this on the website to rent is beyond me. I cancelled my reservation and lost money, for a campsite that shouldnt even be listed as a rentable space on Reserve America. I am very angry and thank GOD I went and saw it beforehand, because we would have been screwed had we shown up July 12th, and realized this site wasnt even feasible to back a camper into. The picnic table was next to the picnic table for the next site over. This is one of the WORST campgrounds I have ever been to.
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Where To Stay
Pere Marquette Lodge & CabinsThe centerpiece of the park is the massive lodge and cabins. Built in the 1930s, the lodge has a distinct flavor of native stone and rustic timbers. The most prominent feature of the lodge is the 700-ton fireplace in the Great Room Lobby along with the life-size chessboard and pieces.
There are 72 rooms available with 50 Lodge Rooms and 22 Cabin Rooms. The Lodge offers guests an indoor pool and sauna along with an exercise room and beautiful views from many of its rooms.Elegant dining services are available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Lodge is famous in the area for their family-style fried chicken dinner and Sunday brunch buffet.