Pere Marquette Lodge

Pere Marquette Lodge is the stone-and-timber lodge inside Pere Marquette State Park, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and since expanded. IDNR lists 50 guest rooms, 22 stone guest cabin rooms, a dining room and an indoor pool, and a Great Room fireplace said to weigh 700 tons. It is run as a private concession: book through pmlodge.net or (618) 786-2331.

The Building

IDNR describes native stone and rustic timbers from the original CCC lodge blended with newer wings. The centerpiece is the Great Room: a 50-foot vaulted ceiling, hand-made chandeliers and a stone fireplace that soars to the roof and is said to weigh 700 tons. IDNR also mentions a hand-crafted, life-size chess set and a terrace overlooking the Illinois River.

Rooms and Stone Cabins

• 50 guest rooms in the lodge.
• 22 stone guest cabin rooms in cabins beside it.

These are different from the two rustic Rent-A-Cabins in the state campground, which have no water inside and need your own bedding. See camping and cabins.

Dining

IDNR says the dining room seats 150, offering family-style dining or a menu, and that the Sunday brunch "draws people from Missouri as well as Illinois". The lodge also has a cocktail lounge and, per IDNR, a winery on site.

Pool and Things to Do at the Lodge

IDNR lists an indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, saunas, a game room, a tennis court, volleyball and shuffleboard courts, a playground and a gift shop. The lodge also hosts weddings and theater productions.

Meetings and Weddings

The 2,900-square-foot conference center splits into four meeting rooms and hosts banquets for up to 300, according to IDNR.

Booking and Contact

• Website: pmlodge.net
• Phone: (618) 786-2331
• Mail: Pere Marquette Lodge and Conference Center, Route 100, PO Box 429, Grafton, IL 62037

This guide is independent and not connected to the lodge or to IDNR. Rates, room types and availability come only from the lodge.

The Park Around the Lodge

The lodge sits at the foot of the bluffs on Route 100, next to the Visitor Center and the trails up to McAdams Peak. In winter, it is a warm base for eagle watching; in fall, for the color on the Scenic Drive.