Pere Marquette
STATE PARK AND CONSERVATION AREA
The hub of park activities is the rustic lodge
Sprawling picturesque Pere Marquette State Park and Conservation Area, located on the bluffs overlooking the gentle flowing Illinois river, offers many diversified forms of recreation and abounds in scenic beauty. The 5180 acre area is in Jersey county five miles west of Grafton on Illinois route 100 and approximately 19 miles west and north of Alton via the scenic Great River Road.
The park was named in memory of Father Jacques Marquette, the French Jesuit missionary priest, who in 1673 along with explorer Louis Jolliet were the first white men to enter what is now the State of Illinois at the confluence of the Mighty Mississippi and the Illinois rivers. A large white cross, east of the park entrance alongside route 100, marks where these two famous men landed.
The park with its 2605.90 acres and the conservation area consisting of 2574 acres were acquired by the state in 1932. The two areas adjoin each other. Across the Illinois river to the south and west is the Federal Wild Life Refuge of more than 8,000 acres.
BEAUTIFUL LODGE
Long popular and much used is the massive Pere Marquette Lodge built of colorful native stone and rustic timbers, and the seven stone guest houses back of it, nestling into the hillside. The guest houses with 29 rooms and the lodge with 18 rooms are all heated, completely air-conditioned, and each have televisions. The spacious dining room has maintained a continued reputation for exceptionally good food and gracious hospitality which spills over to the large lounge with a huge 700 ton stone fireplace, furnishing the ideal spot for old-fashioned corn popping or just plain loafing. There are also many outdoor activities including a swimming pool (open May 15 through September 15), a five-hole, par three, golf course, shuffleboard and horseshoe courts for lodge guests. Room or dining reservations should be made with the Pere Marquette Lodge management, Grafton, Illinois (A.C. 618—Grafton 786-3351).
RECREATION AT ITS BEST
The recreational facilities of the park are many and varied ranging from camping to hiking the many miles of foot trails, boating and fishing, picnicking or horseback riding the bridle paths, or viewing the many scenic wonders from the overlooks atop the bluffs. It’s family recreation at its best!
Camping is popular and in addition to primitive sites, the park affords trailer sites with electricity, shower baths, and flush toilets. Camping permits must be secured from the park ranger who will assign you a camping site. There are ample picnic areas with good shade, pure water, and picnic tables at designated areas. No open fires are permitted and no cooking can be done except on a park or camp stove. Playground equipment is provided for the children.
If you are a nature lover and wish to commune with nature, the park provides miles of foot trails. From April to October, a part-time naturalist is available for scheduled trips on the nature trails. At the beginning of the trail you will find a nature museum with excellent exhibits pertaining to animal and plant life, archaeology and geology of the park. The vast network of foot trails with scattered shelters, lead you to McAdams Peak where Dr. McAdams recovered 125 Indian skeletons, Quitt Point the highest point in the park or other popular overlooks. During the early spring the park abounds with the added beauty of white blossoming wild dogwood and redbud trees.
The modern new boat docks provide dockage for privately owned craft. The convenient concession stand has row boats for rent and arranges for scenic or speedboat rides. Fishing is an extremely popular pastime and the angler has the opportunity of catching a variety of fish from the waters of the Illinois.
BRIDLE PATHS
Horseback riding over the 14 miles of bridle paths is another recreational feature of the park. A stable with good mounts is located within the park near the entrance.
Located in the Conservation Area, the organized youth group camping area is equipped with kitchens, mess halls, and swimming pools. These three areas, Camp Piasa, Camp Quatoga, and Camp Potawatomi are extensively used during the summer months and can accommodate approximately 365 youths. Reservations for the use of these facilities are made with the Division of Parks and Memorials, 100 State Office Building, Springfield 62706.
