State Park · Illinois
Buffalo Rock State Park
- Location
- LaSalle County, Illinois
- Nearest town
- 3.7 miles west of Ottawa
- Type
- State Park
About Buffalo Rock State Park
Five massive earthen sculptures shaped like native river animals rise from the ground here, an art installation called Effigy Tumuli built to honor Native American heritage. The 298-acre grounds sit atop sandstone bluffs shaped by the Illinois River toward the close of the Pleistocene era, facing Starved Rock State Park across the water. Local legend holds that a narrow canyon on the property was once used to trap buffalo during hunts.
Hours, fees, camping, reservations and closures are set by the park and change often. Check the official park site before you go.
Getting there
Buffalo Rock State Park is in LaSalle County, Illinois, 3.7 miles west of Ottawa. The Directions button takes you to the park's mapped location; the entrance may be elsewhere, so check the official site for the address to use.
State parks near Buffalo Rock State Park
Within 60 miles, closest first, straight-line. All 64 in Illinois →
Starved Rock State ParkState Park · LaSalle County, IL4.2 miW
Matthiessen State ParkState Park · LaSalle County, IL6.4 miW- Illini State ParkState Park · LaSalle County, IL10 miE
Gebhard Woods State ParkState Park · Grundy County, IL25 miE- William G. Stratton State ParkState Park · Grundy County, IL26 miE
Shabbona Lake State ParkState Park · DeKalb County, IL29 miN
Channahon State ParkState Park · Will County, IL36 miE
Hennepin Canal Parkway State ParkState Park · Bureau County, IL41 miW
Franklin Creek State Natural AreaState Natural Area · Lee County, IL42 miNW
Towns near Buffalo Rock State Park
State parks near Ottawa, State parks near Streator, State parks near Morris, State parks near Pontiac, State parks near DeKalb, State parks near Aurora
Facts from Wikidata, checked September 25, 2026. Distances are straight-line.