Sometimes you’re so excited about visiting a particular attraction that you can blow it out of proportion. You can’t wait to make it to your destination and you plan an entire family weekend around it. It isn’t until you get there that you realize there just isn’t that much to do. Sure, it had some of what you hoped, but realistically, you can only fill a couple of hours and suddenly the rest of your weekend is wide open. This is certainly not the case at Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton, Illinois. With over 8,000 acres to explore, you’ll find plenty of sights and activities to fill your visit at this Illinois State Park.

Established as a state park in 1931, Pere Marquette State Park gets its name from a French missionary who explored the land in the 17th century. These days, it is a beautiful destination during all seasons.
Pere Marquette State Park/Facebook
At the start of your trip, be sure to check out the visitor center which has a helpful 3-D map of the park. It also has informative exhibits about local history and other facets of the park.
Pere Marquette State Park/Facebook

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The beautiful park has opportunities for more adventurous visitors to get the most out of their visit and camp at one of the multiple campsites. Bird watching is popular, as more than 230 avian species have been identified on park grounds.
Kimberly B/TripAdvisor
There are approximately 12 miles of marked trails throughout the park that are accessible to all levels of hikers. Though it is illegal to bike on these trails, there is a paved bike trail at the south end of the park for those wishing to explore on two wheels.
cwillini/TripAdvisor
There are plenty of launching ramps that allow boaters to access the water. Fishing is permitted, with regular catches including bluegill, catfish, largemouth bass, and more.
Pere Marquette State Park/Facebook

For updated information about park hours and policies, be sure to check out the website. Also, be sure to check out their Facebook page for additional helpful information.

Have you ever visited Pere Marquette State Park? If so, tell us all about the highlights in the comments below.

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Grafton Visitor Center, 950 E Main St, Grafton, IL 62037, USA