Rock Cut State Park in Illinois is gearing up for the annual camping season, anticipating an increase in visitor numbers. Last year, approximately 30,000 campers visited the park.
According to its website, the park’s campground features 199 electric sites distributed across four areas—Prairie View, White Oak, Plum Grove, and Stag Horn—and 55 non-electric sites in the Hickory Hills area.
The park, the largest state park in northern Illinois, offers a diverse range of activities, from hiking and biking to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Visitors can also enjoy the serene waters of the park’s two lakes, perfect for fishing and paddling.
This season is particularly notable following a substantial $4.5 million improvement project. The enhancements now allow visitors full access to the park’s facilities without the disruptions in previous years’ construction.
“Now the park patrons can go around the whole loop instead of having just come in through the Route 173 entrance,” Corey Skoumal, the site assistant superintendent, said, as quoted in a 13 Wrex news report.
Returning for their 17th season, veteran campground hosts Marcia and Gary Cook oversee the daily operations, which include registering new arrivals and maintaining the cleanliness and safety of the sites. The Cooks’ connection to Rock Cut began in 2006 when they first brought their motorhome to the park.
“We’ve met people from all over the world here, Australia, New Zealand, England… the head coach for the New York Giants,” Gary Cook said in the same report.
For campers, alcohol is prohibited in the park’s campground to maintain a family-friendly environment. Two shower houses with flush toilets are centrally located within the campground for camper convenience.
Campers can purchase firewood directly at the park and either completely burn it or leave any unused portions for the next visitors. Collecting fallen trees or firewood within the park is prohibited, and removing firewood from the premises is not allowed due to quarantine regulations, the park’s website indicates.
As the annual camping season ramps up, RV park and campground owners have an opportunity to enhance and prepare their facilities to attract and accommodate returning and new campers in Illinois. Drawing inspiration from Rock Cut State Park, which recently underwent an improvement project, owners can see the direct benefits of investing in their infrastructure. Such enhancements not only provide immediate customer satisfaction but also encourage positive reviews and increased bookings.
For more information, visit Rock State Park’s website at rockcutstatepark.net.