Details
One of the most picturesque sites along the Rock River is just north of Oregon in Ogle County. This 207-acre state park has restrooms, hiking trails, a campground with a shower house, dump stations, boat launches, fishing, a nature preserve, and more. Legend has it that Chief Black Hawk, as he left the area after the Black Hawk War, talked of its beauty and admonished his captors to care for the land as he and his people had. Lowden State Park was established to care for the land and allow visitors to share in the beauty as well.
The park serves as a memorial to Gov. Frank O. Lowden, who served in Illinois during World War I. Located along the Rock River in Oregon, the bluffs are graced with a majestic image of an American Indian gazing over the Rock River Valley. This is no ordinary statue. It is a 50-foot, concrete-reinforced wonder that is awe-inspiring. Sculptor Lorado Taft created the statue as a tribute to all Native Americans, but it is more frequently associated with the warrior Black Hawk. You can enjoy many wonderful views of the Rock River from the park, but the best view of the statue is from IL Rt. 2. While the setting sun seems to bring the statue to life, it is a spectacular view at any time of the day and during all seasons.
Trails
Almost 4 miles of good foot trails lead visitors through the natural wonders and beauty of Lowden State Park.
Picnicking
You can enjoy the beauty of Lowden State Park any time of the year, and the picnic areas are open year-round. Conveniently located near the parking lots, the areas include tables, drinking water, park stoves, outdoor toilets, and litter cans.
Camping
There are 80 Class A campsites, which include electricity, a shower building, and a sanitary dumping station for trailers. Another option is the campground cabin, which has two sets of bunk beds, a full-sized bed, and electricity. Reservations are taken for the campsites and cabins at ExploreMoreIL.
Also available are 38 Class B/S campsites that do not offer electricity but do have access to showers. For the true wilderness experience, there are 8 Class D primitive hike-in-only campsites.
During the summer, a refreshment stand provides cool drinks, ice, and wood. Contact park staff upon arrival for a camping permit.
Boating and Fishing
The scenic Rock River flows through 34 miles of Ogle County, with an average midsummer depth of 3 feet. A boat launching ramp and boat docks are located across the river from the park, 1 mile north of the town of Oregon on IL Hwy 2. Motor boaters and water skiers will enjoy all the river offers, but swimming is prohibited. Boat fishermen can spend their time catching largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, crappie, channel catfish, northern pike, walleye, bullhead, carp, sucker, and drum.
Lowden also has a cabin onsite that accommodates seven guests. Featuring one full-size bed, two bunk beds, electricity, and ceiling fans, picnic tables, a charcoal grill, and a firepit are available as well.
This cabin can only be reserved online at www.reserveamerica.com.