Rock Cut State Park, an Illinois State Park near Belvidere, Loves Park, Rockford, Roscoe, Shopiere

USA

Illinois

Rock Cut State Park

Photo Courtesy Gayle Popham

VIEW PHOTO GALLERY

State Park Location Maps:

(click here to zoom and navigate local map)

(click here to zoom and navigate regional map)

View TOPO Maps!

Get directions to this park:

State Park Photo Gallery:
volunteer positions open

VIEW PHOTO GALLERY

State Park Link:
Rock Cut State Park

Nearby Parks:

State Park Contact Information:
	Rock Cut State Park 7318 Harlem Road Loves Park, Illinois 61111 Phone: 815-885-3311 Reservations: 815-885-3311 Email: dnr.Rockcut@illinois.gov	Area Accommodations
Adopt-A-Park Contacts:
	Photography: add your photos

State Park Overview:

Chiseled out of the state?s far northern region is Rock Cut State Park in Winnebego County. Nearby are other "rocky" landmarks - the mighty Rock River and the place where wagons once forded it, Rockford. It?s an area of rolling plains, interesting history and recreational variety.

Two lakes set off the park?s 3,092 acres. Pierce Lake, with 162 acres, is a retreat for people wanting to fish, ice fish or ice skate. A second 50-acre Olson Lake is especially for swimmers. Rounding out the park?s recreational options are camping, hiking, horseback trails and cross-country skiing. Whatever the season, you can be sure there?s quite a bit of activity going on at Rock Cut State Park.

Nature of the Area:

Because water serves as a welcome mat to birds and animals, wildlife watchers to the area won?t be disappointed. Birders report good viewing, with waterfowl being abundant. Deer, fox, muskrat, woodchuck and beaver inhabit Rock Cut State Park as do opossum, raccoon and both gray and fox squirrel. Over 100 types of wildflowers offer a showy display each spring and summer, while the hardwood trees dazzle you with their reds and golds every fall.

Reviews By Park Visitors:

visitor rating:

(8 votes) |Post Your Own Review

THE MOST FUN EVER

my family and I go to Rock Cut every year and we enjoy it very much. there is soo much to do in soo very little time. also on many occasions you can wake up in the morning and walk outside of your camper or tent and see a wild turkey!! what an amazing site. i think you should try camping there and you will see how much fun it is!!!

Written by xcheyx22 22-May-2008

(name not given) 4-Jun-2008

I go every year

I go at least once a month. It is less than 5 miles from my house and it is very reasonable priced. What I like most is the no alcohol. People who camp here, are here for the camping not the Partying

Written by ckkc1335 30-Mar-2009

Great For Families

My family and I have been going to this park for over twenty years, and it is always clean and inviting. There are many trails and activities for younger children, as well as adults. Different picnic areas allow for abundant space for family gatherings and birthday parties. I would reccomend a visit to anyone!

(name not given) 12-May-2009

The camp host in Plum Grove has the messiest site ever! There are tarps and junk all around the trailer. It looks like they lived there year round. It is really disgraceful! There should be more swings and playground equipment for children. The things there are old and in disrepair. Too bad - I love this park and have camped there for 40+ years.

(name not given) 26-May-2009

Beach fees

The admission fees for the swim beach have been raised to $3.00 this year (2009).

Written by Park Administration 21-Jun-2009

really large lake with two peires

(name not given) 30-Aug-2009

this park was all around great fun

So i went to this park with my 3 year old twins girlfriend and 3 other friend one who loves to bike single track as well as my self and we both loved the trails. the fishing good my kids caught thier first fish here. Nice people all around so if you go here be nice. the only thing that i would change about this place would be to have a better camping store, with more stuff for while you were camping they would make a lot of money. but other than that it was awsome

(name not given) 8-Sep-2009

perfect for picnics

great park for get to get together. love it

Written by DENNIS W. 20-Oct-2009

Camping:

For those who want to include an overnight stay in their visit to Rock Cut, the park offers 28 Class A-Premium sites for reservation, 180 Class A-Premium sites and 60 Class B-Premium sites on a first-come first-serve basis. There is also a primitive cabin available for reservation. It has electricity, but does not have water or plumbing facilities.

Open year round, the campgrounds provide water, electricity, sanitary dump stations, showers, toilets, a boat launch and playground equipment. Only electricity and pit toilets are available in the winter season. Equestrian camping is restricted to a site on Hart Road. Groups of more than 25 persons need advance permission from the site superintendent before they can enter the park, and all campers require a permit from park personnel. Alcohol is prohibited in the campground.

Trails:

The trail system at Rock Cut offers opportunities for hiking (40 miles), mountain biking(23 miles), and equestrian(14 miles) and has been completely remarked. Trail users will find updated trail head/information signs at picnic areas and trail access points for trail information and regulations. Only certain trails are designated for mountain biking and equestrian use and are identified by colored trail markers. Blue trails are for mountain biking and hiking, yellow trails are for equestrian and hiking and red trails are restricted to hiking only. Sorry, Rock Cut does not have horse rentals or stables at the site. Lockwood Park located in the Rockford area has horse rentals and is approximately 10 miles from the park.

Trail activities have been divided into "summer and winter" seasons to provide quality seasonal programs. The "summer program" (mountain biking and equestrian) trails are open April 1st - November 30th. These regulations for mountain biking and equestrian use will be strictly enforced and violators are subject to fines.

The "winter program" provides for groomed cross-country trails as conditions permit. The groomed trails are best accessed at the Lions Club Picnic Area. As a courtesy, hikers and snow shoers are asked to use other trails that have not been groomed for skiing. A winter trail guide is being developed to better describe the trails groomed for classical skiing and those groomed for freestyle/skating.

Rock Cut also offers access (at the Pierce Lake spillway) to the Willow Creek Bike Trail and Perryville Path, a paved trail system connecting the local communities of Loves Park and Rockford to Rock Cut State Park.

Area Activities

Water Sports

BeachWatch LLC - Loves Park, IL
Olson Beach located by Rock Cut State Park is a 250 yard long swimming beach located in Rock Cut State Park. General admission is $3. Admission for children under 48" is $2. Boat rentals are $5 for half an hour. Concessions and sand volleyball courts are available. Swim Lessons and Junior Life guarding classes are also available. Olson Beach is open noon to 7pm daily from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day for the summer swim season. So come let BeachWatch LLC host your water activities in Olson Beach at Rock Cut State Park. For more information call 815-978-5560.

Web Site: http://www.beachwatch.net

Picnicking:

Knowing that a visit to a state park is more fun when there?s food to be enjoyed, Rock Cut has picnic areas scattered throughout the park. Each is complete with tables, outdoor stoves, and pit toilets. Red Oak and Puri Crest have playgrounds. Check out our newest addition, Lone Rock Cafe features wireless internet, a variety of food items and drinks including smoothies and blended coffees. They are open May - October 7a - 7p daily, For additional information call 815/885-4740.

Swimming:

Olson Lake Beach will be operated this summer (Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend) by contract of Beachwatch Lifeguard & Lake Patrol. The Beach is open from 12:00PM to 7:00PM daily, weather permitting. Amenities include Lifeguards, sand volleyball courts, paddle boat rentals, concession items and a changing room. The cost is $3 per person. For additional information call 815/978-5560.

Fishing and Hunting:

Fishing:

One of the park?s most popular activities is fishing Pierce Lake - named for state Rep. William Pierce of Rockford, who served in the legislature from 1951-1966 and who proposed the first land acquisition for the park in 1955. The lake is stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and channel catfish, as well as bullhead, northern pike, muskellunge and walleye. Pierce Lake will allow any size engine on the lake, however, engines over 10 hp can operate at No Wake speed only. Paddle & Trail Bait Shop is open at Pierce Lake with Canoe, Kayak and boat rentals, they also have various types of bait available. for more information and prices, please call 815/885-4740. Pierce lake also has docks and two launching ramps available. Olson Lake also offers excellent fishing. Carry on watercraft and electric motors only.

Hunting:

The hunting program allows disabled hunters an opportunity to participate in a Department of Natural Resources program for managing the deer herd and turkey populations at Rock Cut State Park.

History of the Area:

By the middle of the 17th century, Miami-speaking tribes of Native Americans entered the region of Rock Cut State Park after the Iroquois drove them from territory on the southern end of Lake Michigan. From about 1655 until 1735, the Rock River was within the range of the Mascouten, who were also pushed westward by the Iroquois. The Winnebago ranged southward from Wisconsin to the Rock River from the 1740s until 1837, while the river?s upper portion was on the periphery of the Fox and Sauk territory from about 1765 to 1833. By 1800, the Potawatomi, Ottawa and Chippewa nations had extended their range into the area, but they ceded their lands to the United States 32 years later following the Black Hawk War.

Settlement of Winnebago County Began after the Black Hawk War. The region that is now Rock Cut State Park was settled partly by Scots around Argyle - named for their Scottish home of Argyllshire - and partly by Canadians, New Yorkers and New Englanders around the town of Harlem - named for New York City?s Harlem. The Illinois version of Harlem was moved in 1859 when the Kenosha-Rockford Rail Line was built. The dammed waters of Pierce Lake now cover much of the railroad bed within the park, although portions of the railroad grade are visible along Willow Creek below the spillway. But blasting operations in a rock outcrop that railroad crews conducted during the 1859 construction left lasting impressions here - they cut through rock to provide a suitable roadbed and gave Rock Cut its name.

The Park's Present:

Because water serves as a welcome mat to birds and animals, wildlife watchers to the area won?t be disappointed. Birders report good viewing, with waterfowl being abundant. Deer, fox, muskrat, woodchuck and beaver inhabit Rock Cut State Park as do opossum, raccoon and both gray and fox squirrel. Over 100 types of wildflowers offer a showy display each spring and summer, while the hardwood trees dazzle you with their reds and golds every fall.

Area Accommodations

Hotels/Motels

Carroll County Tourism - Carroll County, IL
You will feel right at home when you reach Carroll County, our corner of beautiful Northwest Illinois. The magnificent Mississippi River and outdoor spaces will refresh your spirit and touch our soul.
Web Site: http://www.gocarrollcounty.com

Cottages and Cabins

Wisconsin River Retreat - Mazomanie, WI
Vacation cottages, fully furnished, located on the Lower Wisconsin Riverway. Clean 1100 sq. ft. two bedroom cottage with huge granite fireplace. These two renovated cottages were originally built during World War II as military housing for Truax Field Army Base, Madison, WI.
Web Site: http://www.wisconsinriverretreat.com

Advertise your park related business
on stateparks.com

...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc