30.ĭuring the rest of the year, those trails are reserved for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The mountain bike season in the park runs from April 1 to Nov. Rock Cut State Park can be contacted via phone at (815) 885-3311 for pricing, hours and directions. Go west a half mile to the entrance of the park. Rock Cut State Park is located at 7318 Harlem Rd in Loves Park, Illinois 61111. Take I-90 West to Rockford and take the exit for Highway 173.
For those driving longer than that, it may be better to head north to Wisconsin for more groomed trails with better variety. For those within an hour, it’s a good spot to explore and enjoy the groomed trails. Who is Going to Love Itįor cross-country skiers in the area, this is their go-to place.
The park attracts visitors for a variety of activities, including sports on the two lakes, camping, hiking and horseback riding. But if you’re west of the city and conditions are good, this isn't a bad option. If you’re interested in groomed trails, call ahead after a snow to see if they have indeed been groomed. There are more extensive trail systems there about the same distance away. If you’re coming from Chicago, it’s probably better to head north to Wisconsin than west to Rockford to get in your cross-country fix. Rock Cut State Park offers some very nice tree-lined trails and plenty of space to ski. The park was built around a popular fishing spot-Pierce Lake-and was declared a state park in 1957. The Kenosha to Rockford rail line was built in 1859, which required them to cut through rock to lay a suitable rail bed, earning the area its name. But after the Black Hawk War in 1832 the land was ceded to the United States and settled mostly by Scots, Canadians and some New Englanders. The Winnebago occupied the territory through much of the 18th Century, while the Potawatomi, Ottawa and Chippewa all laid claim to various parts around the Rock River in the early 19th century. The 3,092-acre preserve features rolling plains, two large lakes and-as you may expect from a park called “Rock Cut” located near Rockford along the Rock River-several rocky outcroppings. Located just northwest of Rockford, Ill., and bordering I-39, Rock Cut State Park is a good cross-country ski destination in north central Illinois.