Pere Marquette

Pere Marquette State Park is a state park located in Grafton, Illinois. It is the largest state park in Illinois, covering 8,000 acres (32 km2) of land along the Mississippi River. The park is named after Father Jacques Marquette, a French Jesuit missionary who explored the area in the late 17th century. The park offers a variety of activities, including camping, fishing, boating, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and picnicking. The park also features a lodge, cabins, and a conference center. Pere Marquette State Park is a popular destination for bird watching, as it is home to a variety of species, including bald eagles, ospreys, and great blue herons.