Castle Rock State Park

Castle Rock State Park is a nature preserve covering around 2,000 acres of sandstone cliffs and rolling land along the Rock River in northern Illinois. The area includes hiking trails, camping spots, picnic grounds, and water access for recreation.

The park was established in 1921 when Friends of Our Native Landscape acquired the initial land for protection. This early conservation effort was part of a broader movement to preserve natural areas in Illinois during the 1900s.

The Rock River gets its name from the Dakota word 'Sinnissippi', meaning rocky waters, a name that reflects the waterway's importance to the people who lived here first. This heritage remains visible in how the landscape and river continue to shape life in the region today.

The park offers boating, fishing, and overnight camping at various locations throughout the grounds. Visitors should prepare for changing conditions depending on the season and pay attention to weather, especially for water activities or longer hikes.

The park features a notable Middle Ordovician sandstone formation with white quartz and brown limonite coloring located within the Sandwich Fault Zone. This geological feature is visible in the cliffs and draws those curious about rock formations and ancient geology.

Location: Ogle County

Inception: 1921

Website: https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Pages/CastleRock.aspx

GPS coordinates: 41.96890,-89.38190

Latest update: December 12, 2025 08:01