Buffalo Rock State Park

About Buffalo Rock State Park

Buffalo Rock State Park is located on a cliff that was once an island in the Illinois River. The headland, now majestically located on the north shore, offers sweeping views of the Illinois River and Buffalo Rock Lake, the largest lake in Illinois.

Located on the west side of Buffalo Rock Lake, south of the Illinois River, the park has long been a popular destination for visitors to the state's park system. When the first US president George Washington travelled down the Illinois River in 1673, the area around Buffalo Rock was home to the Illinois Indians. The Illinois tribes were exterminated in a protracted war in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, but the park was long the scene of a great battle between the United States and the Indians.

The unique earth art with the title "Portrait of the Hills" features five sculptures along the Illinois River, and pays homage to the Native American burial sites that inspired it. It is the work of the artist Michael Heizer, who has created a series of sculptures on the west side of Buffalo Rock Lake in the park. To better understand the sculptures, it is best to look at them from a distance and then walk around them to better understand the images.

The sculpture "Portrait of the Hills" by Michael Heizer in Buffalo Rock State Park on the west side of Buffalo Rock Lake, Illinois.

Buffalo Rock is said to have served as a former military and trade mission post for the French. After LaSalle and Tonty built Fort St. Louis at Hungerrock in the winter of 1882-83, they founded the Confederation of the Iroquois and amassed nearly 4,000 Indian warriors. The Miami tribe was so powerful that they built their own fortress in Buffalo Rock. This willow is like a baseball diamond we see every day, but much bigger than a football field and about the size of a basketball field.

The Crane Company of Chicago bought Buffalo Rock in 1912 and maintained it for about 16 years, and in the following years it was used by religious sects. In 1927, the Crane Society moved its recreation park to a larger area and left the land to the state to turn it into a park. The deed for this property was handed over to the State of Illinois in 1929, with the proviso that it would become a permanent state park and remain as a recreational area for the residents of the city of Buffalo, Illinois, and Cook County.

On the way from Utica to Buffalo Rock there are three primitive campgrounds, and each campground has a fireplace, but there are also posh toilets or water facilities. All these places are accessible only on foot or by bicycle, access by car is not permitted and all places must be unlocked.
Camping requires permission from Buffalo Rock State Park, and each campsite is equipped with a shelter and fireplace.

The picnic area is shaded by mature oaks, hickory and walnut trees and offers shade. Picnic tables and barbecue facilities are available, as well as a picnic table and barbecue area with barbecue.

A baseball diamond is located in the middle of the park, and a playground is next to the large shelter. Drinking water and toilets are located between the two accommodations, but the smaller one is based on "first come, first served." You can reserve a parking space on the north side of Buffalo Rock State Park for $10 per vehicle.

The River Bluff Trail offers two viewing platforms that offer spectacular views of the Illinois River.

The forest path offers a great opportunity to observe the trees, plants and animals that thrive in the park. During your visit you can also enjoy some great horseshoe games and there is a picnic area with picnic tables, picnic benches, a fireplace and picnic table, as well as a playground.

There is no water or toilets at this point, but there are about seven vehicles in the area and there are about seven dollars per vehicle available for each area.

The unique earth art with the title "Portrait of the Hills" shows five sculptures along the Illinois River and pays homage to the American burial sites that inspired him. It is a series of sculptures by the artist Michael Heizer, which shows a variety of plants, animals and animals. To better understand the sculptures, it is best to look at them from a distance and then walk around them to better understand the images.

Dee Bennett Rd takes you through Utica and on to Ottawa, which has since been renamed Deeennett Rd. The park is on the left and the I.M. Canal Access area is on the right and you will continue along the Ottawa River until you are renamed Dee Bennet Rd., about half a mile from the park.