When summer hits in Illinois, it’s a time to lace up your hiking boots and backpack and head to a serene state park nearby. However, is it us or does everyone go to the same places? If you’re looking for somewhere a little more secluded that’s not well-known, we have the perfect spot.
Many people are aware of Starved Rock State Park, but it can get quite crowded, even for a quiet retreat. Just a short distance away lies a lesser-known destination where bison graze along the Illinois River.
Buffalo Rock State Park provides the same stunning sandstone bluff country but with a fraction of the crowds.
Buffalo Rock State Park is a crowd-free alternative to Starved Rock
The park spans 298 acres on a former river island that has since merged with the northern shore. Its main attraction is the Effigy Tumuli, five enormous earthworks created by sculptor Michael Heizer in 1985. These structures, shaped like a snake, a turtle, a frog, a catfish, and a water strider, are all visible from the River Bluff Trail.
Yet what makes Buffalo Rock State Park special is that it is home to two bison, Coco and Hope, in a protected grazing area, making them easy to spot during your visit. The park also has a variety of wildlife, including birds, deer, and monarch butterflies.
After waving to the bison, head to the main trail, the 2.5-mile River Bluff Loop, which runs alongside the Illinois River, providing captivating views through sycamore trees at various points.
