National park · United States
Lowden State Park
Visit Lowden State Park: pay free entry, hike the Black Hawk Statue trail (30 min) any day, or do the longer River Bluff loop (2 h) in spring‑fall; avoid winter cold.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1943
Best months
Apr–May, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- The park covers about 207 acres (≈0.84 km²) on the Rock River banks; figures are consistent across official sources.
- Established
- 1943
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep
- Permits
- Not needed
Lowden State Park in Ogle County, Illinois, offers free access to the Black Hawk Statue viewpoint and forested river‑bluff trails across 207 acres of river‑side landscape.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1943.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1943
The park covers about 207 acres (≈0.84 km²) on the Rock River banks; figures are consistent across official sources.
Why go
- View the 48‑ft Black Hawk Statue overlooking the Rock River.
- Walk forest bluffs and river‑side trails on 207 acres of parkland.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanFreezing, snow on trails
- FebCold, possible snow
- MarEarly spring, trails opening
- AprMild, wildflowers
- MayWarm, full trail access
- JunWarm, busy
- JulHot, insects
- AugHot, occasional storms
- SepCooler, fewer crowds
- OctCool, foliage
- NovCold, early snow
- DecFreezing, snow
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Songbirds and butterfliesMar–Sep · Active in meadow and forest edges. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| White‑tailed deerApr–Oct · Often seen near trails. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Chicago
Drive 2 h via I‑90 to Rockford, then Hwy 2 to Oregon, IL.
2 h
Open the page →
From Rockford (airport)
Rent a car and follow Hwy 2 to Oregon.
30 min
Open the page →
From Quad Cities (Davenport airport)
Take I‑88 to Dixon exit, then Hwy 2 to Oregon.
1 h 45 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Black Hawk Statue area | Statue, parking lot, short viewpoint trail. | Open year‑round, free. |
| River Bluff trail network | Longer forest and river‑side paths. | Open; no fee. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Illinois DNR site; approximate for park features.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Free (check for possible vehicle fee). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Park rules
- Pets
- Leashed dogs allowed on trails; clean up after them.
- Camping
- Not permitted; use nearby campgrounds in Oregon.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use provided grills where available.
Where to stay
Near the park
Oregon, Illinois
Motels, B&Bs, and a campground a few miles from the park.
Safety
Ticks low
Winter ice medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Parking lot and short viewpoint trail are wheelchair‑accessible.
- Longer bluff trails have uneven surfaces; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails to protect riverbank vegetation.
- Carry out all litter; use recycling bins where provided.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Lowden State Park?
Entry is free for visitors; no vehicle fee is listed (check for any seasonal changes).
What are the best hikes in Lowden State Park?
The short Black Hawk Statue viewpoint trail (30 min) and the longer River Bluff loop (about 2 h) are the main hikes.
When is the best time to visit Lowden State Park?
Spring (April–May) and early fall (September–October) offer mild weather and full trail access.
Is camping allowed in the park?
No, camping is not permitted; nearby campgrounds in Oregon are available.
What should I watch for regarding safety?
Ticks are common; check yourself after hiking. In winter, trails may be icy.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Lowden State Park
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