MT. MORRIS AREA RECREATION ATTRACTIONS
Within a short five to twenty minute drive from Mt Morris through Ogle County’s 32,000 acres of forest land or along the scenic Rock River you will find for your enjoyment a variety of family pleasing activities. We have three state parks, a state forest, seven golf courses, the White Pines Ranch and so much more.
White Pines Forest State Park, http://dnr.state.il.us/LANDS/Landmgt/PARKS/R1/WHITEPNS.HTM, is located 7 miles south of Mt Morris at 6712 West Pines Rd. The 385 acre park features one of the last stands of eastern white pine trees in Illinois. The kids will love driving through the Pine and Spring Creek fords as you view the beautiful moss covered cliffs. Picnicking, camping, hiking, winter sports, playgrounds, concessions, a gift shop and more await your arrival. The White Pines Inn, www.whitepinesinn.com, offers casual dining, 13 one-room cabins and 3 cabins with 4 rooms where your family can enjoy a vacation in the forest. Across the Pines Road from the park you will find the indoor White Pines Roller Rink, www.skatingfun.com, the Wedding Canyon, the Pine Creek cabins and the Rock River Riders Motorcycle Hill Climb Events. Just east of the park the 35 acre KI Tracks, www.kitracksatv.com, is waiting for your family to explore. 
Lowden State Park, http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/R1/LOWDENSP.HTM, is located 8 miles east of Mt Morris at 1411 North River Road. This beautiful 207 acre park located on the bluffs overlooking the Rock River is the home of the most famous statue in northern Illinois. The 50 foot tall Eternal Indian, locally known as Black Hawk Statue, is a tribute to all American Indians. Lorado Taft's famous Indian is the second-tallest monolithic concrete statue in the world. The statue stands 125 feet above the Rock River. The statue, dedicated in 1911, is one of northern Illinois’ most famous attractions. It can be viewed close up from the park or across the river from IL Route 2 north of Oregon. Picnicking, camping, hiking trails, playgrounds, fishing, boating, and concessions are all available at the park. The 66 acre Lorado Taft Field Campus, a branch of Northern Illinois University, is located in the park.
Castle Rock State Park, http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/R1/CASTLE.HTM, is located 8 miles southeast of Mt Morris on IL Route 2 at 1365 West Castle Road. The 2,000 acre park is located on the west bank of the Rock River with rock formations, ravines and the 60 foot tall sandstone bluff, Castle Rock, where you can climb to the top for a breathtaking view of the river. Picnicking, fishing, boating, camping, hunting, hiking trails with views of the river, and more will be found at the park.
Across the river from Castle Rock State Park is Lowden-Miller State Forest, http://dnr.state.us/lands/landmgt/parks/Rl/LOWDENMI.HTM, with offices located 10 miles southeast of Mt Morris at 1365 West Castle Rock Road. This natural wonder offers hiking, cross-country skiing, and hunting along the eastern shoreline of the Rock River.
When you visit Ogle County, you will enjoy river sports on the beautiful Rock River, look at the stars from the Weiskoph Observatory located at the Byron Forest Preserve, www.byronforestpreserve.com, and cool off at one of our indoor, outdoor or lake swimming facilities. Visit the past at the John Deere Historic Site, www.johndeereattractions.com, located in historic Grand Detour.
At Stronghold Castle, overlooking the Rock River north of Oregon, you will find a 25-room castle with secret passageways that the kids will love. The castle provides family camping under the direction of the Presbyterian Camping Association. Many public events, retreats, and meetings are held at the castle and its beautiful grounds. Many museums, including the Mt Morris Past and Present Museum, open by appointment (call 815.734.6425), the Leaf River Historical Museum, open the 1st and 3rd Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M. or by appointment (call 815.738.2326 or 815.738.2397), the Stuka Military Museum, Chana School, Byron History Museum, Billy Barnhart Museum, the Ogle County Historical Museum, and more all have memories of times past in Ogle County.
Several walk/bike/skate paths, many municipal parks, a county park, and park district facilities all add to your recreation options.
Be sure to travel the Sculpture Trail, www.oregonil.com/sculpture-trail.html, in Mt. Morris, and five miles east of Mt Morris view beautiful and unique sculptures dating from 1911 to the present. Sculptures are added yearly for your viewing pleasure.
Many other adventures await you in Ogle County. Dine and/or cruise on the paddle wheel boat on the Rock River just north of Oregon. The Byron Dragway, www.byrondragway.com, or the Motor Sports Park is an exciting way to spend the day. Many food events are held all year long as fund raisers for our communities. Every summer weekend and holiday is filled with festivals and fairs. The Let Freedom Ring Festival in Mt Morris is the festival of choice to celebrate the July 4th holiday. The Ogle County Fair, just four miles east of Mt Morris, is a nice family venue where the kids can see farm animals, 4-H projects, ride carnival rides, play games for prizes, and more.
Many public and private campgrounds fill with campers to enjoy all seasons. Mooseheart Camp Ross and Camp Emmaus are just a few minutes drive from Mt Morris. Camp Medill McCormick, G.S.A., and Camp Lowden, B.S.A., provide camping and learning fun for all area Scouts. 4-H Club members enjoy the White Eagle 4-H camp. The Rock River Christian Camp and the Lutheran Outdoor Ministries are among other private campgrounds located in Ogle County.
Need some quiet time? The back roads of Ogle County are abundant with wildlife, farm life scenes, quiet streams and beautiful scenery.
One of the most unusual events you will enjoy in Ogle County is the Fields Project Art Festival, www.fieldsproject.com.
What makes this event unique are the beautiful sculptings cut into farm fields and viewed from the air. The Ogle County Airport, east of Mt Morris, provides airplane rides to view this most extraordinary art. The festival also includes food, music, games, and a variety of art for sale.
The Rock River and forests of Ogle County come alive with autumn colors as the fall season arrives. We celebrate the season with festivals, fund raising events and other family events, including the Peddlers Pass, Chili Cook-Off, and All-Town Rummage Sale held in Polo just 15 minutes west of Mt Morris. Oregon's Autumn on Parade Festival and Halloween on the Prairie at the Byron Forest Preserve will delight the kids. The self-guided Trail of Terror, www.trail-of-terror.com, will keep you spooked during September and October. Corn mazes, pumpkin patches and farmers markets will make your fall visit to Ogle County one to remember.
Enjoy a whole different landscape as the winter season arrives in Ogle County. The hills and valleys will sparkle with new fallen snow. Bring your family to cut your own Christmas tree at several locations including the Sinnissippi Tree Farm east of Oregon, www.sinnissippiforest.com. You will spend a fun-filled day at the farm enjoying the winter activities they have planned for you.
There are many holiday dinners, walks, and other events held for your enjoyment. The lighted Christmas Parade in Rochelle, http://www.rochelletourism.com/, will delight you. Be sure to take a drive to view the many Christmas light displays, and stop so the kids can tell Santa what is on their wish list.
Much more awaits you in Ogle County. We have “pick your own berry” patches, wonderful restaurants, cabins, motels, and country inns, including the Kable House Inn, http://www.kablehouse.com/, in Mt Morris. Lil's Acres in Monroe Center features eight acres of sculptures, beautiful landscaping and flower gardens. You will view and photograph over 80 trains a day from a raised platform at the Rochelle Railroad Park. The park has exhibits of railroading history and a gift shop. The Rock River Fishing Guide Service (815.732.3192) will guide you as you fish for catfish, walleye, and smallmouth bass on the Rock River. We have bait & tackle shops and canoe rentals. Tucked away on the quiet back roads, 10 acre Weld Memorial Park offers playgrounds, picnic shelters, a stream, and woods to explore. Civil war cannons on the front lawn of the Ogle County Courthouse, three fine art galleries where you can view work in progress as beautiful bronze sculptures are created, and many antique and collectibles locations will all add to the fun. We have unique shops for your shopping enjoyment, truck and tractor shows, and more for you to visit.
For more information about Ogle County, visit the Blackhawk Waterways Convention and Visitors Bureau at http://www.bwcvb.com/ or call 1.800.678.2108.