Pere Marquette State Park

Pere Marquette State Park was created in 1931 by local citizens who wanted to preserve the area and commemorate Father Pere Marquette, one of the area’s first European explorers. Located along the Illinois River in Jersey County, Pere Marquette covers 8,000 acres of scenic land near the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers.

The park’s visitor center was opened in 1997 and offers guests a wealth of knowledge. Besides a 300-gallon aquarium, the center provides educational exhibits and displays that tell about area history and park archaeology.

Pere Marquette Lodge was built in the 1930's and has recently been expanded and improved. The lodge has overnight accommodations, a dining room, lounge, pool, gift shop, and more.

The park also has its own horse stables and offers trail rides for guests. Hiking trails cover 12 miles of Pere Marquette and trail maps are available at the visitor center. There is also a 20 mile-paved trail that was designed for biking. Other activities include bird watching, boating, camping, fishing, hunting, and picnicking.

For more information about Pere Marquette State Park, write or call:

Pere Marquette State Park
Route 100 Box 158
Grafton, IL 62037
(618) 786-3323

Directions:
From Alton, take Highway 100 west for 21 miles and follow signs to Pere Marquette State Park.

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