This State Park Lodge In Illinois Has Everything You Want In A Vacation
By Elizabeth Crozier|Published April 12, 2018
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.
If you’ve yet to plan the big annual family vacation, there’s a state park lodge in Illinois that has something for everyone. Enjoy scenic views, fun entertainment, and fabulous dining at this wonderful resort-style hotel.
Enjoy the outdoors in the best way when you stay overnight in this Grafton state park. Scroll on for all the details.
Located on the west side of the river town of Grafton, along the Illinois River near where it converges with the Mississippi River, you'll find the vacation of a lifetime.
On your way, you'll take scenic drives and pass marvelous trails, overlooks, and parks.
Situated in Pere Marquette State Park, this breathtaking lodge is made of limestone from the local quarry and timbers made from Douglas Fir, Western, and Pecky Cypress trees. It was hand-built during the Great Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a public work relief program, and took about six years to construct.
This state park lodge eventually opened in 1940 and has been a popular spot since. It is used for weddings and other events. Activities throughout the year include the Mushroom Festival, wine club gatherings, and retreats as well as other special dinners and brunches.
Other fun things to do at this state park lodge are play life size chess, enjoy the 50-foot, 700-ton limestone fireplace, swim in the indoor pool, and lounge on the terrace overlooking the gorgeous Illinois River.
All in all, the lodge houses 72 rooms and cabins. The cabins offer slightly more privacy and a rustic atmosphere, and the rooms offer more unique options for views.
Room rates fall between about $80 and $100 per night according to third-party reservation sites like Travelocity. There are many different types of rooms to choose from, including some with bunk beds.
When hunger calls, an on-site restaurant is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is best known for its fried chicken, soups, and chocolate pecan pie. Guests may also enjoy the Mary Michelle Winery and its various types of vino.
The best part of this lodge, though, is that it's surrounded by the massive Pere Marquette State Park which includes about 12 miles of trails and 8,000 acres of forestry.
Other nearby attractions include the Great River Road Scenic Byway, Raging Rivers Waterpark, and St. Louis as well as the charming town of Grafton itself.
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Don't miss an opportunity to visit this unique Illinois destination. Nature lovers untie for the best resort-style lodge in the state.
