Pere Marquette State Park is an 8050acre protected area in southwestern Jersey County, Illinois, United States. It is located near the city of Grafton, Illinois, at the confluence of the Mississippi River and the Illinois River. The park is located on Illinois Route 100, which at this location is also part of both the Great River Road and the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway. The park is operated and maintained by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and is Illinois' largest state park in area. The park is also part of the Confluence Greenway and is at the northwestern end of the 21.5mi Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail.
The park was named in honor of Father Jacques Marquette, a Jesuit priest who was the co-leader, with his comrade Louis Jolliet, of a 1673 voyage of exploration on the Mississippi River. Marquette was the first European to map the mouth of the Illinois River, which he and Joliet used to return from the Mississippi to the Great Lakes. Arrange your visit to Pere Marquette State Park and discover more family-friendly attractions in Grafton using our Grafton day trip site.
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Pere Marquette State Park reviews
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A very well situated state park! The campgrounds are nice. The shower house/restrams are okay. Close to the lodge which has a restaurant. There's hiking to be had. So much to do in Grafton nearby!
A very well situated state park! The campgrounds are nice. The shower house/restrams are okay. Close to the lodge which has a restaurant. There's hiking to be had. So much to do in Grafton nearby! more »
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Small museum in the visitor center. The main Lodge has a nice dining room. Great food and good service during these COVID times of not enough help.
Small museum in the visitor center. The main Lodge has a nice dining room. Great food and good service during these COVID times of not enough help. more »
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Perfect for a lazy afternoon, trail walk, eat on the fire and of course take a nap!
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Beautiful! It's fun to walk the trails!
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