While we were enjoying the views at Starved Rock State Park, we overheard a park ranger explaining to a tour group that there was a buffalo herd at Buffalo Rock State Park. I looked at Stacy and said "Did she say buffalo? We need to check this out." After a quick google search, we found out that Buffalo Rock State Park was only 12 minutes away. We decided we would check it out after going on the boat ride before heading back to Rockford.
Buffalo Rock State Park is located in Ottawa, IL. It is open 8 am - 7 pm daily. There is no admission for Buffalo Rock State Park or any of the Illinois State Park.
As we got to Buffalo Rock State Park, a tour bus pulled up to see the buffalo. There are 2 buffalos in a ben near the road. I was expecting more. This was like visiting a zoo. The pen seemed small for the buffalo. They seemed very bored. I was seriously disappointed. Even though they were almost close enough to touch, I did not pet the fluffy cow.
We decided to check out the effigy mounds that are in the park. This area was home to Illinois Indians when Louis Jolliet and Father Jacques Marquette first visited the area in 1673. However we really didn't have much luck. The mounds seemed much closer on the map than they were and it was hot.
After about a 1/4 mile, we turned back and I decided I hiked enough in the park. Maybe one day I will get back to actually check out the effigy mounds.
It is a nice picnic spot. The buffalo are kind of cool even though it felt like it is something I would find at the Menominee Park Zoo in Oshkosh. If you are in the area, it is worth a stop even if it is just to see the buffalo.
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