Pere Marquette State Park

Pere Marquette State Park is a nature lover's paradise with nearly 8,000 acres of scenic beauty. The park offers a variety of year-round recreational opportunities, including horseback riding, camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, and boating. Visitors can enjoy the spectacular views of the Illinois River and its backwaters from several points atop the bluffs. The park has over 12 miles of marked trails, providing scenic hiking for beginners and experienced hikers alike, with lush forests, towering bluffs, and an abundance of wildlife. The park is also a great place for birdwatching, with over 230 species of birds, and is a hot-spot for bald eagle watching in January and February. The park's Visitor Center has a 3-D map of the park and a wealth of other displays and exhibits concerning the Illinois River, wildlife habitat, local history, and geology