buffalo rock state park

This is a great place to like anytime - but we love to go when the leave change and the weather is a little cooler. Great place for a picnic too

Buffalo Rock State Park is across the river from its more famous and popular brothers, Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks. Buffalo Rock can boast a fabulous view of the river valley from on top of the rock. It has a great picnic area and you can visit the resident buffaloes (Yes, there are live animals up there. Visit this park and enjoy the beauty and the peace.

The Illinois Valley area may be known for Starved Rock and even Matthiesen state parks, but few have heard of this gem about half way between Utica and Ottawa. The hike is shorter but the views are still great as there is a overlook by the main lot plus by the Effigy Mounds. Like it's namesake also there are Buffalo there two of them. There were maybe 10 people we saw when my brother and I went there so it's a lot more quaint then Starved Rock just down the river which can see thousands in a day.

There are three must-sees when traveling to Starved Rock for hiking: Starved Rock, Matthiessen and Buffalo Rock. Where else can you see two buffalos up close, with only a chain link fence to separate you? You're at a better vantage point (and less crowded!) to view eagles, from the Park's lookout deck (see picture above) in the winter months, their nesting grounds.I can't understand why anyone would find fault with this gorgeous Park! Check it out for yourselves - look beyond the harsh naysayers!!

Loved this place. Unlike Starved Rock which is a popular tourist destination, not a lot of people know about this place. Hiked the trails and only saw 2 other people. It was wonderful. Also, mostly flat and a easy walking trail will definitely take me back again and again.

Some of my fellow reviewers are being a BIT harsh on Buffalo Rock State Park: let's get started.YES. There are buffalo. Two of them. They're in a fenced in area to the right of the main parking lot, and there's a small trail around the fenced in area to ensure that anyone can see them. They're pretty chill animals and don't really move around, so don't expect to be entertained: but knowing the HISTORY of the park (this area of the canyon was used by Native American hunters to hunt buffalo) is useful to appreciate their presence.Let's talk effigies. So, major let-down: you won't see the effigies from the ground, they're meant to be seen from the air. Which....yeah. If you're going specifically to see them, reconsider. BUT, if you take the effigies in the context of the fact that they're celebrating the mound-building indigenous cultures of the Midwest? And those cultures also built effigies that can only be seen from the air? Totally cool.The path is great: this is a prairie, so don't expect too much shade, but there's some awesome views from the bluff.Final verdict? Definitely worth a visit if you're into State Parks and don't feel like dealing with the crowds at Starved Rock.

Went to see the effigies but the ranger station was closed and there were no signs posted on which trail to follow. Found a posted map but a fellow traveler said the mounds were a lot further than it showed on the map and the hike was long and hot. Not exactly what the website showed.

This was all just prairie walking. There were a few rocks we could walk out on but that was it. The statues are just hills in the shape of whatever. We walked around for 3 hours looking for the buffalo that we were told were there. Come to find out theyre at the very back of he parking lot where the trail ends. They werent exciting at all. they were behind a double fence and vines so it was hard to see

Picture a construction site with big mounds of dirt covered by weeds . . . that is the Effigy Art . . . I feel sorry for the artist and his vision. It would be nice if staff could fix the signs and have maps to know where and what you are supposed to see . . . viewing towers might also be nice. Best of all, mow the weeds. The buffalo looked well fed but were in a field of weeds that were 4 foot high. Last I checked, buffalo like to graze on grass. Maybe someone could mow the weeds.

Yes there are buffalo in a fenced in area. The day we were there we saw 2 laying in the dirt. The hike we went on was boring. It started with a bunch of stairs and some woods. It turned into walking through a prairie. It was hot with no shade. The views of the river were just so so. If you are limited on time when in the area, this park can be skipped.

This is the second time in year we drove an hour to come with kids and grandkids. We like the stone pavilion with the fire place. We come when it is just a little coolish... and light the fire. The playground is in view of the pavilion so we can watch the young ones, the older ones like the large open area to play with balls and things. The washroom is right there with a water fountain. . Disappointed the look out is closed. . Short walk to see the Buffalo if they want to. Very peaceful.

My husband and I started our vacation at Starved Rock Lodge by spending a few hours at Buffalo Rock State Park on Monday 4/21/14 before checking in. It was an okay little state park, but nothing as special as other area parks. We were a bit disappointed. The buffalo at the park are in an enclosed area that reminded me a bit of a zoo enclosure. The sculptures (or whatever they are called) of the different animals would have been interesting if they were more easily visible. The only one I could even recognize without the sign was the snake. While the place was okay, there are better options in the area.

2 live but sedentary buffalo in middle of 1/2 to 3/4 mile wooded trail. Effigy Tumuli is visible from a lookout station but better viewed from an airplane. That is animals sculpted into the earth. In the fall you do not want to miss the view from the deck overlooking a "Y" in the river. Simply breath taking.

Went here for my sons BDay party. This park has been our families favorite place to go if we have any social functions planned like birthday parties. They have a beautiful stone shelter towards the front which is reservation only and booked very far in advance for weddings. As well they have a first come first serve shelter in the back of the park that we like to use because its closer to the live Buffalo. (Yes there are 2 live Bison in the park.) Overall a great place for anyone to enjoy themselves for relaxing time away from the massive influx of tourist that go to Starved Rock.

I like Buffalo Rock mainly because it is a little less travelled as compared to Matthiessen and Starved Rock. The others are great, but this is nice because you can still get out in nature, do a little hiking, and while there may be a few people, you can get lost in your thoughts, so to speak, without being bothered. Not as scenic as other parks in the area, it is still good to check out. Very peaceful.