Overview
Lowden State Park is a state park located in Ogle County, Illinois, United States. It offers scenic views of the Rock River and is the home of Loredo Taft's famous Black Hawk Statue
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 10°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and Jul. (climate data from nearby Galena)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- RFD Chicago Rockford International Airport, Chicago/Rockford — 16 mi away. Directions
- MLI Quad City International Airport, Moline — 73 mi away. Directions
- ORD Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Chicago — 73 mi away (major hub). Directions
While possible to fly to the region, the closest airport is still going to be about 30 minutes away by car (Rockford), while the nearest full-service airport (read: "active") is Chicago-O'Hare, which is about 2 hours away by car, or Quad Cities Airport in Davenport, Iowa which is about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Understand
The park covers 207 acres on the banks of the Rock River. The most famous attraction of Lowden State Park is the Chief Blackhawk Statue, created by Lorado Taft, which overlooks the river.
History
In 1898 the land was purchased by Chicago attorney and arts patron Wallace Heckman to become Eagle's Nest Art Colony. This is what originally brought American sculptor Lorado Taft to the area. In 1942, six years after Heckman died, the art colony vacated the area.
In 1943, the land was purchased by the state of Illinois and turned into a state park. Two years later, it was named after former Illinois Governor and World War 1 veteran Frank Lowden.
Landscape
Located on the banks of the Rock River, the landscape has many bluffs and hills as well as numerous forest paths to hike.
Climate
The climate is typical Midwestern climates. The winters are cold with an average somewhere around 30 degrees F (0C). April begins the warmer season, and by summer, the temperatures reach 80 or 90 F (25-30C) on average.
Get in
While possible to fly to the region, the closest airport is still going to be about 30 minutes away by car (Rockford), while the nearest full-service airport (read: "active") is Chicago-O'Hare, which is about 2 hours away by car, or Quad Cities Airport in Davenport, Iowa which is about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
By car
Lowden State Park is located near Oregon, Illinois. From Chicago, this is about 2 hours away via Interstate 90 to Rockford. From Rockford, take Highway 2 down to Oregon and across the Rock River.
From the Quad Cities, take Interstate 88 getting off at the Dixon exit. Continue on Highway 2 until you reach Oregon.
Fees and permits
Camping with just a tent costs $10 per night, plus a $5 administrative fee. The cost of electrical outlets, trailers, and RV goes up with RV spots costing around $45 a night.
Stay safe
Ticks are a concern in this area. Be sure to check yourself after hiking, and go to a doctor if you feel sick or have any unexplained rashes. Bug spray is also a must in this area.
Go next
Oregon, Illinois is a quaint small town with about 3,000 people. Within it is a drive-in from the 50s, a soap shop, and a farmer's market in the city center on Saturday mornings. The town is about 2 miles from the campsites at Lowden.
Nearby
Dixon
City / town · 4 listings · 15 mi away
Rochelle
City / town · 6 listings · 15 mi away
Rockford
City / town · 19 listings · 21 mi away
Freeport
City / town · 24 mi away
Sterling-Rock Falls
City / town · 1 listings · 25 mi away
DeKalb
City / town · 10 listings · 30 mi away
Sycamore
City / town · 4 listings · 33 mi away
Mount Carroll
City / town · 36 mi away
My experience
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