Agencies
Services
1800 46th Avenue
Rock Island, IL 61201
309/788-0177
Open:
Park Hours: Sunrise to 10 p.m.
Museum Hours: Wednesday - Sunday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. , Closed from Noon to 1 p.m.
Teachers in Illinois schools (grades prekindergarten through 12) can apply for grant funds to visit this site on a field trip with their students. Click here for the details.
Black Hawk State Historic Site in Rock Island is a 213 acre park managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Explore over seven miles of hiking trails that wind through the designated nature preserve, over bluffs, and along the Rock River. The site also includes three different day-use areas with grills, fire pits, picnic tables, and shelters built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Discover all the biodiversity the region has to offer in the forest, by the river, or through several acres of prairie restoration.
Watch Tower Lodge at Black Hawk State Historic Site is a one-story limestone structure with rough-hewn timber built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
The John Hauberg Museum, located in the west end of the lodge, tells the story of the Sauk and Meskwaki people through interpretive maps, artifacts, and seasonal dioramas. These two cultures thrived in the region from the time of their arrival in 1735 to their forced removal in 1832. The Sauk city of Saukenuk (located in present day Rock Island) was the largest city in all of Illinois during this time with a population of over 5,000. The Hauberg Museum houses a real Sauk dugout canoe found at the mouth of the Rock River, a recreated full-sized winter home (wickiup), and a smaller representation of a summer home (long house).
An exhibit at the east end of the Watch Tower Lodge covers the history of the creation of the park by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Depression-era public relief program stationed Company 1674 at what was then known as Black Hawk State Park. This camp was ultimately responsible for creating trails, building two thirds of Watch Tower Lodge, planting thousands of trees, and much more.
Black Hawk hosts several special events and nature programs. Programs are supported by the Citizens to Preserve Black Hawk Park Foundation.
- Accessible parking spaces throughout (East, West, North, and Singing Bird Parking Lots). All spots include ramps and are connected to sidewalks.
- Sidewalks are asphalt or concrete.
- Bridges and boardwalks on trails are all wooden planks.
- Lodge, North flush toilets, and all pit toilets are accessible.
- Parking lots are all paved with accessible parking spaces. Inclines up to the Lodge. No push-button door openers but restrooms in Lodge are wheelchair accessible. No accessible water fountains but benches are located throughout the Lodge. No braille informational plaques but we do have audio tours/headphones available.
- Scheduled guided hikes provided for large groups may last anywhere from 30-60 minutes. There are only a few benches along the trails and steps (depending on which trails).
- Lodge is wheelchair accessible with no stairs required. Scheduled guided tours available for large groups may last anywhere from 30-60 mins. Daily tours self-guided with benches throughout.
Accessibility Information
The following are available for the visitor to the site:
