Pere Marquette State Park is a nature lover's paradise. In addition to enjoying the spectacular views of the Illinois River and its backwaters from several points atop the bluffs, visitors can take advantage of a variety of year-round recreational opportunities, including horseback riding, camping, hiking, fishing, hunting and boating.

Pere Marquette's Visitor Center has a 3-D map of the park and wealth of other displays and exhibits concerning the Illinois River, wildlife habitat, local history and geology.

Fall color drives are popular along the wooded ravines and riverside roadways at and near Pere Marquette. In January and February, the park is a hot-spot for bald eagle watching. For many years, the park has hosted tours of the river bluffs and woods for visitors to get an up-close look at wintering bald eagles in the hundreds along the Mississippi River and lower Illinois River near the park.

Campers will find plenty to like at Pere Marquette, from camp sites and cabins to the popular Youth Tent Camp and three group camps. Campground reservations can be made at ExploreMoreIL.

The beautiful Pere Marquette Lodge and Conference Center is an ideal place to stay for a weekend or weekday getaway. Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the lodge has been expanded and updated in recent years. The mammoth stone fireplace in the lobby soars to a roof height of 50 feet, and is said to weigh 700 tons. There are 50 spacious guest rooms and 22 stone guest cabin rooms. 

While groups of 25 or more are welcome and encouraged to use the park's facilities, they are required to register in advance with the site office to avoid crowding or scheduling conflicts.
At least one responsible adult must accompany each group of 15 minors. Pets must be kept on leashes at all times.
Actions by nature can result in closed roads and other facilities. Please call ahead to the park office before you make your trip.
We hope you enjoy your stay. Remember, take only memories, leave only footprints.

Pere Marquette State Park Campground

This park has great hiking for Illinois. The campground has 88 sites total1-85 are either 30 amp or 50 amp electric sites. These are the class A sites $20 a night, they also have about 15 Class C sites for tents with no electric for $8 a night. The campground is doing some upgrades as of October 2017 and probably will be adding more 50 amp, water and sewer to some sites. There is also intel that says they are adding more sites plus more tent camping sites.

I camped in a motorhome and did not try to fight the crowd for the shower house. It is a busy campground, but I did visit in the summer busy season, so it may have less traffic in the fall. There are great hiking trails and the scenic drive to the park by the Mississippi and Illinois rivers is worth the trip alone.

I will return here for hiking for sure! I had some good luck fishing in the river near here too.

Great Terrain for Illinois

We visited the state park last year while visiting my wife's parents who live outside of St. Louis.  We were looking for somewhere to do a quick get away, and to do some hiking.  We were pleasantly surprised with what the trials had to offer.  We did a 7 mile loop that led us to an amazing overlook.  Excited to go back!

Quick trip from St. Louis!

Wonderful park on the Great River Road along the Illinois River. Great hiking in the park, and a bike trail passes by the front. Lots of historical buildings built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's. Camping is divided up into an RV section, tents only section, and group tent camping. One shower house serves all, but it is well maintained even though it is an older building. 

Pere Marquette state park

Pere Marquette has many options for your stay. The campground may need a little attention and some lots are not level, but the area is worth the hassle. If you prefer,  The Lodge has great character and a wonderful great room. There is a restaurant inside the main building with decent food. I prefer to stay in a cabin room which sleeps 4-6 and affords you more privacy. 
Outside, the hiking is worth the effort. The views from the bluffs are gorgeous. 

Great trails, historic lodge

Great CG near Grafton! Easy drive and several winery’s. Nice trails as well! 

Wine time!

Campgrounds close to Pere Marquette Lodge. Is located just north of Grafton that has many food and drink and antique shops. Campground is on the Illinois River with the Mississippi River nearby. Park has a boat launch and harbor.  Campground has electric only and has a dump station. Most sites are spacious. Sites can be reserved on Reserve America.

Nice campground 

Very clean and well kept. The campsites, the showers, everything.  Very affordable.  I will definitely go back.

Great place!

We spent a couple nights here at an electric site near the playground.  We really enjoyed the hiking and views.  The facilities were fine, consistent with IL state parks. There is a vault toilet by the playground and a shower house on the other side of the campsites.

Good St Louis area camping

This was a good layover campground after being on the road. Close enough to St. Louis for a visit to the Gateway Arch and Cahokia Mounds. 
Showers were clean. Sites are pretty close together with little privacy. Our site (74) was not level. Most other sites seemed level. 

Good location, not much privacy

I took my son here for his first camping trip and it was perfect!

Great First Camping Trip

Great room between campsites and water hook ups are not too far away. Bring plenty of hose length. 

Spacious 

Lots of room between level sites, quiet campground, decent hiking, wineries and restaurants, antique shops nearby in Grafton. A great campground for our camp group to meet.