Blackhawk statue at Lowden State Park in Oregon, IL

Lowden State Park in Oregon, Illinois is most famous for its’ historic 50 foot tall, 100 ton Blackhawk statue. The impressive Blackhawk statue, which is dedicated to all Native Americans, stands as the world’s second largest concrete monolithic statue. We were able to get up close and take some amazing pictures of the statue, although the most awe-inspiring views are seen while driving along Rte. 2.

Mike & I have passed this statue dozens of times while traveling from Dixon to Rockford. However, we never thought of planning a hiking adventure. On this Dixon trip, we finally decided to squeeze in a hike.

Take a look at some of the beautiful photos we took at the overlook

Views from Lowden State Park in Oregon, IL
River views from Lowden State Park in Oregon, IL

From the statue, you can take the 100 step staircase down to the Rock River. We were able to take some fantastic photos of the river.  The climb back up is strenuous and an awesome workout at the same time!

Staircase up to the Blackhawk statue at Lowden State Park

A few more beautiful pics of the Rock River

Scenic river views at Lowden State Park in Oregon, IL
Beautiful river views at Lowden State Park in Oregon, IL
A scenic shot of the Rock River from Lowden State Park in Oregon, IL
Rock River scenery at Lowden State Park in Oregon, IL

Hiking trails

4 miles of marked hiking trails are available. We hiked about 3.5 miles. The path is wide, shaded, and scenic. There are a few small hills, which makes for an invigorating workout. Even though this wasn’t our longest or most scenic hike, we still enjoyed our quiet afternoon out exploring the forest.

Pines Trail at Lowden State Park in Oregon, IL
Path view at Lowden State Park in Oregon, IL
Shaded trail at Lowden State Park in Oregon, IL
Wooded trail at Lowden State Park in Oregon, IL

Other activities at Lowden State Park include: Picnicking, camping, boating, and fishing. Lowden State Park is a great family-friendly daytrip for residents of Northern Illinois. It is a quick daytrip from nearby cities like Dixon, Sterling, DeKalb, Freeport, Rockford, and Rochelle. If you are looking for a great place to get back to nature, exercise, and explore nature for a few hours, consider a daytrip to this beautiful state park.

 Address: 1411 N. River Rd. Oregon, IL 61061. Free admission and parking.