The Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton, Illinois is home to one of these places where we can get a glimpse into nature’s unmistakable everlasting majesty. With 8,000 acres of opportunity, visitors can find any number of trails to see the pristine Mississippi Valley landscape.  Named after famed explorer Father Jacques Marquette who traversed the region in the 1600s, the largest State Park in Illinois certainly does him justice. 

The hiking at Pere Marquette is designed with trails for any number of skill sets. There are plenty of hikes for newcomers, moderates, and even the experienced. The trails offer a range of views of the surrounding area. Some, such as The Goat Cliff trail offer dramatic views of the two rivers (Mississippi and Illinois), the nature preserve, St. Louis (on a clear day) and even a Native American burial ground. Another, the Ridge Trail boasts a great bald eagle-watching location where you can view America’s eagle from overhead during winter months. Pere Marquette also offers a 22 mile bike trail that runs to Alton, Illinois. Further, the 22 miles of equestrian trails offer the perfect opportunity to experience nature while improving your horseback-riding skills. Rock climbing walls also make home for the more adventurous visitors to Pere Marquette State Park.

There is something about nature that always brings us back to our roots. It doesn’t matter if you are traversing the rugged terrain of the cascades, the foothills of Ireland, a local park, or a small garden. One fact remains, humanity was forged by the tough hand of nature and we face our creator every time we get into it. From the dense trees that have stood the test of time to the scattered leaves that decorate the ground, and to the wildlife who call it home nature is where we are one with our environment. The Pere Marquette Park is the ideal place to experience this natural wonder.