Pere Marquette State Park
Pere Marquette State Park in Illinois features a historic CCC lodge with a 700-ton stone fireplace, bald eagle watching (peak: January-February), and 12+ miles of trails along the scenic Great River Road!
Historic Pere Marquette Lodge
| Lodge Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏨 Rooms | 50 guest rooms |
| 🪨 Famous Feature | 700-ton stone fireplace! |
| 🍷 Winery | On-site |
| 🏊 Pool | Indoor + hot tub + sauna |
Cabin Options
| Cabin Type | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏠 Lodge Cabins | 22 stone cabin rooms (3 rooms/cabin) |
| ⛺ Rent-A-Cabins | 2 rustic cabins, sleep 6, electric only |
Bald Eagle Watching
| Eagle Info | Details |
|---|---|
| 🦅 Season | December – March |
| 📅 Peak | January – February |
| 🎉 Events | Bald Eagle Days 2026 |
| 🏨 Special | Lodge “Eagle Package” |
12+ Miles Hiking + 20mi Bike Trail
| Trail Type | Miles |
|---|---|
| 🥾 Hiking | 12 miles |
| 🐴 Equestrian | 20 miles |
| 🚴 Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail | 20 miles to Alton |
| 🧗 Rock Climbing | Available |
Great River Road
Located on Illinois Route 100, part of the Great River Road and Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway—stunning views!
FAQ
When is the best time to see eagles?
January and February are peak! Bald eagles congregate along the Mississippi River. The park hosts Bald Eagle Days events with guided programs.
What’s the 700-ton fireplace?
The lodge lobby features a massive 700-ton stone fireplace built by the CCC in the 1930s. It’s an Instagram-worthy centerpiece of this historic lodge!
Is the lodge open year-round?
Yes! Pere Marquette Lodge operates year-round with restaurant, winery, indoor pool, hot tub, and sauna. Winter is especially popular for eagle watching.
🦅 Illinois Eagle Capital
Visit Pere Marquette Lodge or Illinois DNR.
Things to Do
Illinois parks offer sandstone canyons, prairie grasslands, and Great Lakes shoreline. Activities include hiking canyon formations at Starved Rock, fishing, camping, biking, birdwatching along the Mississippi Flyway, cross-country skiing, and exploring Lincoln-era landmarks.
Best Time to Visit
Spring brings peak waterfall flow. Summer is ideal for Lake Michigan beaches. Fall delivers stunning foliage. Winter transforms canyons into ice wonderlands with frozen waterfalls. All Illinois state parks are free.
Visitor Tips
Free admission at all parks. Starved Rock fills parking before 9 AM on weekends. Parks offer excellent lodges including Starved Rock Lodge and Giant City Lodge.
Explore More Illinois State Parks
Pere Marquette State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Illinois. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Illinois guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
