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Explore "Hidden Gem" Buffalo Rock State Park

Located on the North banks of the Illinois River, less than a ten minute drive from I-80 and the gates of Starved Rock, this remarkable little state park combines rustic prairie hiking with some of the most stunning cliffside views you'll find in Starved Rock Country. Throughout it's storied past, Buffalo Rock has been the home of a Native American tribe, used as a camp for a religious sect, and even a tuberculosis sanatorium during the 1910’s. The park's recent history is just as compelling, this hidden gem houses not only popular picnic areas and prairie hiking trails, but colossal works by a world renowned artist and two live bison.

By Ryan Searl

Located on the North banks of the Illinois River, less than a ten minute drive from I-80 and the gates of Starved Rock, this remarkable little state park combines rustic prairie hiking with some of the most stunning cliffside views you'll find in Starved Rock Country. Throughout it's storied past, Buffalo Rock has been the home of a Native American tribe, used as a camp for a religious sect, and even a tuberculosis sanatorium during the 1910’s. The park's recent history is just as compelling, this hidden gem houses not only popular picnic areas and prairie hiking trails, but colossal works by a world renowned artist and two live bison.

Buffalo Rock features two trail networks that offer wildly different park experiences: The River Bluff Trail snakes you along the Illinois River (featuring plenty of great bird watching opportunities), while the Woodland Trail gives you an up-close look at trees, wildlife, and the “Effigy Tumuli'' mounds, made by visionary "earthworks" artist Michael Heizer. Inspired by Native American burial grounds, these massive pieces of environmental art resemble five enormous creatures native to the region, a snake, turtle, catfish, frog and water strider. From the ground, these beautiful earthworks blend seamlessly into the landscape, but from aerial photography you can see just how enormous these work are.

Beyond the prairie at Buffalo Rock, you'll find a portion of the park that is heavily wooded, much like Starved Rock and Matthiessen. A walk through this dense tree canopy offers guests wonderful opportunity to enjoy the ambiance of the forest and possibly spot some wildlife. The park also boasts two riverfront observation decks, treating you to a unique southward facing view of the Illinois River, a beautiful vista you won’t see at any other parks in the region. Bring some binoculars to observe boats traversing the Illinois River and migratory birds in the marshlands below!

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