Buffalo Rock State Park
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Not stated — check with park
- Camping
- None listed
- Official site
- dnr.illinois.gov(815) 433-2224
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
In LaSalle County, about 5 miles west of Ottawa, Buffalo Rock State Park covers about 295 acres.
Fees and passes
Free: 'The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) does not charge an Entrance Fee to any state owned or operated land.' Camping, cabins and shelters are fee-based.
Statewide fee rule from Illinois's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ExploreMoreIL (IDNR camping, cabins, group camps and shelters)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Things to do
Trails
Trails The Buffalo Rock State Park River Bluff Trail offers a walk high above the Illinois River, with two observation decks providing spectacular views of the Illinois River. The Woodland Trail provides an opportunity to examine and appreciate the trees, plants, and wildlife prospering in the park. I&M Canal State Trail Access Across the road from Buffalo Rock State Park is the Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail Buffalo Rock Access area, providing parking for approximately seven vehicles. Water and restroom facilities are not available at the trail parking lot/access area but can be found at the park.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Accessibility at Buffalo Rock: • Parking - The parking lots are asphalt with accessible parking spaces. The distance to the concrete sidewalk from the parking lot is approximately 20'. • Restrooms - There is an accessible vault toilet located in the western parking lot, and a flush toilet is available in the main parking lot. An accessible water fountain is located near the main shelter and ball diamond. • Picnicking - There are two accessible shelters available at Buffalo Rock. The main shelter is located in the main parking lot, and the second shelter is located west of the western parking lot. Both shelters have accessible grills and tables. • Service animals are welcome in the park, and there are outdoor water fountains available.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 1300 North 27th Road
Ottawa, IL 61350 - Nearest town
- Ottawa — about 5 mi west (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 41.3280, -88.9100
- Phone
- (815) 433-2224
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Illinois State Parks (IDNR state parks and recreation areas) — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- IDNR All Parks list (AEM content-fragment list JSON) + each unit's landing page for official title, coordinates, address, phone
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology