Lowden State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Located in northern Illinois, about 30 miles south of the border with Wisconsin, 207-acre Lowden State Park sits beside Rock River. Founded in 1945, the park includes the famous Chief Black Hawk Statue, officially named "The Eternal Indian," a 50-foot sculpture erected by artist Lorado Taft in 1911. The park is renowned for its forests, ravines, and intense undergrowth, which hikers pass via carved-out trails. The park draws anglers, hikers, and boaters during the summer and is known for its excellent cross-country skiing opportunities in the winter.
Nearby Cities
Oregon, IL
Rockford, IL
Beloit, WI
Chicago, IL
Spring 28-71 F
Summer 59-83 F
Fall 30-76 F
Winter 14-35 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Lowden State Park
Campground Accommodations
Lowden State Park Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: 15-amp, 20-amp, 30-amp and 50-amp service
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 40 feet
Other amenities: Fire rings, restrooms, hot showers, picnic tables, dump station
River Road Camping
If you want a campground with ongoing activities and a large lake for fishing, stay at River Road Camping. Rates are $54 per night and include water, electricity, and swimming inside of the heated pool. Fish species commonly found in Rock River include Catfish, Bass, and Northerns. Bait and supplies are available for purchase, so it is not the end of the world if you forgot your tackle box and pole. Amenities include:
Electricity
Water
Heated swimming pool
Fishing supplies
Movie nights
Full activity schedule
Lake Ladonna Family Campground
Lake Ladonna is a campground that is targeted for kids and families. There is a rope swing where you can swing out onto the lake from the dock above. Volleyball nets are available for those who want to get a bit of exercise in while camping, and there is even a beach on the campgrounds. There are a variety of options to pick when you camp here. You can stay in your RV, rent a cabin for the weekend, or be transported back to your boy scout or girl days when you had to stay in a tent. Rates for an RV campsite is $55 daily, and this includes up to six people. If you have additional campers, there is an additional $10 charge for each individual. Amenities include:
Basketball court
Volleyball court
Cabins
What to Do at
Lowden State Park
Lowden State Park is ideally situated for guests who enjoy a good hike after breakfast and an angling session during the afternoon. Park activities include educational hikes and informational tours of the rocks and streams that flow through the area. "The Eternal Indian" statue draws guests nationwide. The sculpture is perched looking over the Rock River, forever observing its flow.
There are several reasons why Lowden State Park is noted as a frequently visited attraction. Its location makes it a convenient stop for travelers from Chicago and Milwaukee. The calm waters of the three-foot-deep Rock River, haloed by hovering trees, make for an unusual scene.
Inside Lowden State Park
At Lowden State Park, you can enjoy everything from hiking and boating to looking for metal or skiing during the winter months. The park has 80 RV campsites, with some offering easy access to electricity and showers. Those who plan to spend time on the river should expect to see an abundance of fish life on their lines. Largemouth bass, bluegill, and sunfish are only three of the types of the many species of aquatic life that live in the river.
Fishing
Angling in Rock River from a boat or the bank yields a variety of game fish. Species reported as available in Rock River include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, bullhead, carp, suckers, drum, sunfish, bluegill, crappie, northern pike, and walleye.
Geocaching
Geocaching is allowed at Lowden State Park. A permit is required. All who wish to play the game must apply at the park office.
Nature Watching
Lowden State Park is a great place to observe nature in its simplest form. Rock River presents a serene scene. The trees that hover over the river are primarily hardwoods. They offer a fantastic scene during the fall when the leaves change.
Stargazing
Stargazing at remote locations like Lowden State Park is problematic due to the dense forest cover. However, there are a few locations where the night sky reveals its secrets to any who hankers to observe them. The lack of light pollution provides a dark setting where the stars and planets are apparent.
Flora and Fauna
The flora inside Lowden State Park is dominated by various tree species. Along the Rock River, silver maple, slippery elm, hackberry, and Kentucky coffee trees march while basswood and sugar maple work their wonders in the ravines above the river. Wildlife, with white-tailed deer, coyotes, raccoons, squirrels, wild turkeys, and red foxes, call the park home.
Hiking
Lowden State Park has one significant trail. The Lowden State Park Loop runs for 2.9 miles. The trail visits all the terrains with views of the hills, the ravines, the Rock River, and the Chief Black Hawk statue.
Biking
Bicycles are allowed on the Lowden State Park Loop. However, caution is advised. The trail is dedicated to hikers, so watch for close locations along the trail to stop and allow hikers to pass through first.
Boating
A boat ramp is located on the opposite shore of Rock River from Lowden State Park. Boats, kayaks, canoes, and paddle boats are welcome on the river. However, boaters must be aware of the hydraulic dam located a short distance downstream from the park.
Swimming
Swimming is prohibited at Lowden State Park due to the dam's proximity.
How to Get to
Lowden State Park
The major city of Chicago is only 100 miles from Lowden State Park. To get to the park from Chicago, the quickest route to the park is to find the Kennedy Express Way West and travel for 7.6 miles. Keep left to get onto Interstate 90 West (I-90 W). Drive for 67.4 miles until exit 17, which takes you to Interstate 39 South (I-39 S). Travel I-39 S for 3.2 miles. Continue straight to the United States Highway 20 West (US-20 W), the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial Highway, and travel 5.4 miles. Stay right to take the ramp onto Illinois State Highway 2 South (IL-2 S) for 0.4 miles.
Turn left onto South Main Street. Drive for 0.9 miles, where its name will change to Beltline Road. Drive 0.4 miles and turn right onto Kishwaukee Road. Drive 4.5 miles, then turn right onto North Kishwaukee Road. Follow the road for 4.3 miles. Turn right onto East Illinois Route 72 (E IL-72). Go for 1.2 miles and keep left to get onto North River Road. Stay on North River Road for 8.2 miles, then turn right. The Lowden State Park entrance is 0.3 miles ahead.
Entering Lowden State Park
There are six parking lots available to the public. There are no parking fees at Lowden State Park.
Now that you've finally decided to embark on your trip to Lowden State Park, get the camera roll ready and snap some photos of your journey. Keep us in your thoughts and send those happy memories to RVshare at [email protected]. You can also tag us in your social media post about the vacation. We hope you have a blast on your RV trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lowden State Park
Though the park is open year-round, the best time of the year to visit in an RV is from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The water is shut off for the remainder of the year due to freezing conditions. In addition, many educational events are held during the summer.
Wildlife lives in their natural habitat, free from harassment throughout the park. The most frequent species observed in the park are white-tailed deer, coyotes, raccoons, squirrels, wild turkeys, and red foxes.
There are 80 designated RV campsites in Lowden State Park. Of those, 33 sites lie along the banks of Rock River.
RV campers can reserve campsites, but it's not required. The nightly cost of renting an RV campsite in Lowden State Park is $55, which allows a maximum of six people per campsite. There is an added $10 fee for each additional person.
Lowden State Park allows pets. All dogs must be leashed on lengths of no more than six feet.
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