Castle Rock State Park is located three miles south of Oregon, Illinois on Highway 2. The park is centrally located in the Rock River Hills region of Illinois, and its rolling topography is drained by the Rock River. The park is located along the west bank of the Rock River in Ogle County. The park is very representative of the Rock River Hills area with rock formations, ravines, and unique northern plant associations. A sandstone bluff, adjacent to the river, has given the park its name.

Natural Features and Nature Preserve

The basis for the acquisition of Castle Rock State Park is the protection of natural resouces that are unique to Illinois. A thin layer of glacial till covers this region and several distinctive plant species, remnants of the native forest and prairie, still exist. In one valley, 27 different types of ferns have been identified. The park is one of the largest significant natural areas in the northern part of Illinois.

Most of the outstanding natural features are located in the dedicated Nature Preserve which is protected by state law. Use of the 710-acre preserve will be restricted to scientific study and limited interpretation activities.

Directions

Castle Rock State Park is located on IL Hwy 2, 4 miles south of Oregon, IL., 12 miles north of Dixon, IL.

traveling west from the Chicago area on I-90 to Rockford. At Rockford take I-39 south 20 miles to IL Hwy 64. At Exit 104, turn right at Oregon exit, take Hwy 64 west to Oregon. Turn south on IL Hwy 2 for 4 miles to park.

If traveling west on I-88, take Exit 97 at I-39 at Rochelle. Take I-39 north 7 miles to Hwy 64. Go west on Hwy 64 for 15 miles to Oregon. Take IL Hwy 2 south to the park.

If traveling north on IL Hwy 26 south of Dixon, take Hwy 26 to Dixon. In Dixon, take IL Hwy 2 north 12 miles to the park.

If traveling east on I-88 west of Dixon, take the Dixon exit for IL Hwy 26 north. In Dixon, take IL Hwy 2 north 12 miles to the park.

Castle Rock
1365 W. Castle Road
Oregon, IL 61061
(815) 732-7329