Parking & Directions

Pere Marquette State Park is at 13112 Visitor Center Lane, Grafton, Illinois, on Route 100, the Great River Road. IDNR's map puts the park about 5 miles past Grafton and 20 miles from Alton. Parking is free. Start at the Visitor Center lot for maps, then drive the Scenic Drive up to the bluff-top trailheads.

Where Is Pere Marquette State Park?

The park sits on the north bank of the Illinois River in Jersey County, just upstream from where the Illinois meets the Mississippi at Grafton. IDNR gives its coordinates as 38.973, -90.543. Route 100 runs along the river at the foot of the bluffs, and every park road starts from it.

Driving from St. Louis and Alton

• Through Alton: follow Route 100, the Great River Road, west and north out of Alton along the Mississippi bluffs to Grafton, then continue along the Illinois River to the park. This stretch is the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway, which ends at Pere Marquette. See the Great River Road.
• Through St. Charles County, Missouri: the Grafton Ferry crosses the Mississippi from Grafton Ferry Road, off Highway 94, to Grafton. It is a paid, privately run ferry.
• From the west bank of the Illinois River: the free, IDOT-run Brussels Ferry crosses the Illinois River at Route 100 near Grafton.

Where to Park

IDNR's trail map shows parking at these spots:

• Visitor Center lot on Route 100. The best first stop: trail maps and park staff. See the Visitor Center.
• Lodge lots beside Pere Marquette Lodge and its cabins.
• Scenic Drive lots near Twin Shelter, Eagles Roost and the flag pole, closest to McAdams Peak and the ridge trails. See McAdams Peak.
• Riverside lots by the picnic shelters along the Illinois River.
• Equestrian lot on Graham Hollow Road, with room for horse trailers. See horseback riding.

IDNR lists the Scenic Drive as open for drive-through traffic.

Getting to the Campground

IDNR tells campers to type "Pere Marquette State Park Campground" into a phone or navigation system, and notes the campground is visible from Route 100. If you arrive for a Class B tent site, register with the campground host at sites 1 and 2, or at the Visitor Center about a quarter mile west on Route 100. See camping.

Before You Drive Out

IDNR asks visitors to call the park office before a trip, because weather and the river can close roads and facilities. The number is (618) 786-3323.