Rock Cut State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Carved out of the state's far northern region is Rock Cut State Park in Winnebago County. The vast Rock River is nearby, and the place where covered wagons once forded it, Rockford, IL. It's an area of rolling plains, steep history and a wide variety of recreational opportunities.
An array of wildlife can be seen at Rock Cut; waterfowl, deer, fox, muskrat, woodchuck and beaver, opossum, raccoon, and both gray and fox squirrel have made Rock Cut home. Hardwood trees dazzle visitors each fall, and spring and summer offer an abundant display of wildflowers. Rock Cut's 3,092 acres include Pierce Lake and Olson Lake. The park's hiking trails, horseback riding trails, cross-country skiing, wildlife watching, camping, fishing and seasonal hunting programs make it a year-round recreation destination.
Spring 48-72 F
Summer 63-85 F
Fall 30-63 F
Winter 13-29 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Rock Cut State Park
You can absolutely camp with nature and take in the breathtaking sounds of the park in your sleeping bag under the stars or in your tent. But if the wilderness nightlife isn’t your thing, you should consider renting an RV with RVshare.com to glamp in your own customized comfort and style.
The beautiful campground has 270 premium campsites, a rustic cabin, a group camp and shelters. The year-round sites offer electric, water, showers, dump stations and more. The park campsites do fill up quickly through the summer months so plan ahead and book your RV and campsite! RVing is the most loved way to travel the state parks and there are many to choose from nearby.
Blackhawk Valley Campground
Only 20 minutes from Rock Cut State Park, in the outskirts of Rockford's beautiful countryside and inside a secluded valley of the Kishwaukee River, Blackhawk Valley Campground is one of the best kept secrets of the Midwest! With something for everyone to enjoy, there are activities almost every weekend, a playground, pedal carts, mini golf and other sports, or just lay low, relax and soak up nature. Rates start at $35 per night for electric and water sites or $40 per night for full hook-up sites.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet friendly: yes
Other amenities: mini golf, shuffle board, volleyball, basketball, laundry, full-service bathhouses
Northwoods RV Resort by Zeman
Northwoods RV Resort is located in Garden Prairie, IL, just 25 minutes from Rock Cut State Park and Chicago is less than 90 minutes away to enjoy city sights or see a baseball game at Wrigley Field. The Northwoods RV campground is a quiet location to enjoy the sights and sounds of Illinois with your RV as a home base! Explore the natural beauty of the Kishwaukee River State Fish and Wildlife Area with a hike or fish for some Bluegill or Smallmouth Bass. With great access to restaurants, retail stores and several golf courses Northwoods has the means to keep everyone happy. Rates start at $65 per night for a standard site.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet friendly: yes
Other amenities: Swimming lake, beach and pool, fishing, tubing, canoeing, laundry, arcade, full-service bathhouse, playgrounds, volleyball and basketball courts, scheduled entertainment
What to Do at
Rock Cut State Park
Inside Rock Cut State Park
Rock Cut is a beautiful stop to enjoy all there is in nature. The lakes alone offer activities for all ages. Pierce Lake, with 162 acres, is a retreat for people wanting to fish, ice fish or ice skate. The 50-acre Olson Lake is especially for swimmers. Rounding out the park’s recreational options are camping, hiking, horseback trails and cross-country skiing. Whatever the season, you can be sure there quite a bit of activity going on at Rock Cut State Park.
Swimming: Olson Lake Beach will be operated Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. Amenities include Lifeguards, sand volleyball courts, paddle boat rentals, concession items and a changing room. The cost is $3 per person.
Picnicking: Rock Cut has picnic areas scattered throughout the park knowing fun is to be had when food can be enjoyed. Each picnic area is complete with tables, outdoor stoves and pit toilets. Red Oak and Puri Crest have playgrounds. The news picnic area is Lone Rock Cafe and offers Wi-Fi, a variety of food items and drinks including smoothies and blended coffees.
Trails: The trail system at Rock Cut offers opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian. Trail users will find updated trail head/information signs at picnic areas and trail access points. Only certain trails are designated for mountain biking and equestrian use and those are identified. Rock Cut also offers access to the Willow Creek Bike Trail and Perryville Path, a paved trail system connecting the local communities of Loves Park and Rockford to Rock Cut State Park.
How to Get to
Rock Cut State Park
Take I-90 West to Rockford. Take the East Riverside Blvd. exit and follow signs off tollway. Head West on East Riverside to Perryville Road and North on Perryville to Highway 173. At Hwy 173, head East about 1-1/2 miles to the park entrance.
Entering Rock Cut State Park
Rock Cut State Park N/A
Exploring the U.S. and creating memories with the ones you love becomes effortless with RVshare. Making travel easy and worry-free is what we do. Take the ride, live your best life in style and comfort when you visit Rock Creek State Park in an RV rental from us! We would love to see pictures of your adventures so send us photos of your trip to [email protected] and tag us on social media. Your memories could be featured on our blog, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter page!
Frequently Asked Questions About Rock Cut State Park
The climate of Rock Cut State Park is pretty mild during summer and very chilly during winter. The temperature rarely rises above 80 degrees, but between December and February, it can drop below 20 and see regular snowfall.
If you're hoping to enjoy activities like hiking, horseback riding, or fishing, then the best time to visit Rock Cut State Park is during spring or summer. However, if you prefer cross-country skiing, you should visit between December and February.
Rock Cut State Park is known as a great destination for wildlife viewing. Some of the species you may get to see include deer, foxes, muskrats, beavers, woodchucks, opossums, raccoons, squirrels, and waterfowl.
Visitors are welcome to bring their pets to Rock Cut State Park. However, dogs in the park must remain on leashes in all areas other than the specified off-leash areas. Pet owners must also thoroughly clean up after their pets.
Rock Cut State Park boasts an impressive 270 RV campsites. All of these sites are available year-round and feature electricity and water hookups as well as showers, dump stations, and other amenities.