Rock Cut State Park Concession

This little story is great.

A man was asked to paint a boat. He brought his paint and brushes and began to paint the boat a bright red, as the owner asked him.

While painting, he noticed a small hole in the hull, and quietly repaired it.

When he finished painting, he received his money and left.

The next day, the owner of the boat came to the painter and presented him with a nice check, much higher than the payment for painting.

The painter was surprised and said “You've already paid me for painting the boat Sir!”

“But this is not for the paint job. It's for repairing the hole in the boat.”

“Ah! But it was such a small service... certainly it's not worth paying me such a high amount for something so insignificant.”

“My dear friend, you do not understand. Let me tell you what happened:

“When I asked you to paint the boat, I forgot to mention the hole.

“When the boat dried, my kids took the boat and went on a fishing trip.

“They did not know that there was a hole. I was not at home at that time.

“When I returned and noticed they had taken the boat, I was desperate because I remembered that the boat had a hole.

“Imagine my relief and joy when I saw them returning from fishing.

“Then, I examined the boat and found that you had repaired the hole!

“You see, now, what you did? You saved the life of my children! I do not have enough money to pay your 'small' good deed.”

So no matter who, when or how, continue to help, sustain, wipe tears, listen attentively, and carefully repair all the 'leaks' you find. You never know when one is in need of us, or when God holds a pleasant surprise for us to be helpful and important to someone.

Along the way, you may have repaired numerous 'boat holes' for several people without realizing how many lives you've save. ❤️

Make a difference....be the best you...
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Have a blessed day🌿

Looking for something to do next weekend??

If this is your type of scene, we have your type of gear. Now through Dec 24, save 20% on all camping and hiking equipment. Tents, sleeping bags, hiking shoes, backpacks, and more! Good gear leads to an enjoyable outdoor experience. And keeps you coming back for more. Available at our downtown Rockford store or online at https://rocktownadventures.com/shop/.

Tell State Lawmakers To Protect Waterway Rights!

If you enjoy paddling, please read below and if possible partake in the call to action to ensure accessibility for all to enjoy.

A bill was recently introduced in the Illinois General Assembly that, if enacted, will give paddlers access to most of the rivers and streams in Illinois.

Recent conflicts of interests between paddlers on the Mazon River have resulted in a court ruling that restated the Illinois statutes that land owners along rivers “own” that portion of the river adjacent to their land. Currently the Illinois rivers that we routinely paddle—Kishwaukee, DuPage, Des Plaines, Salt, Nippersink, Fox, etc.—are potentially off limits if any landowner decides to enforce this riparian right.

Now new legislation is being designed--HB 5844—that will make these rivers open and available to paddlers. If passed by the Illinois legislative bodies, this will bring legal access to recreational river paddling to Illinois, similar to the laws in our neighboring states—Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and many others.

The bill is in the Rules Committee at this point. If it advances, our legislators need to know that this is an important step not only for Illinois paddlers but for the tourist industry as well.

Several organizations have created web pages to help people contact their state representatives to request their support of this bill. Open Lands’ page is

https://openlands.salsalabs.org/ProtectRiverAccess/index.html .

This page contains additional background information and other resources. You will find a form for contacting your legislators and a suggested wording for your message.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Tell State Lawmakers To Protect Waterway Rights! Using the form provided, you can ask Illinois State Legislators to affirm Illinoisans’ right to recreate on our shared water resources.

America Recycles Day | US EPA

No matter which side of the aisle you are on, reuse/repurpose/regenerate has got to be high on your list. It is a pretty common trait amongst outdoor enthusiasts. Tomorrow is .

According to the EPA, “A circular economy reduces material use, redesigns materials to be less resource intensive, and recaptures ‘waste’ as a resource to manufacture new materials and products." On this day and every day, please do your part. You can check out more info at https://www.epa.gov/recyclingstrategy/america-recycles-day.

America Recycles Day | US EPA EPA celebrates the 25th anniversary of America Recycles Day (ARD) on November 15, 2022.

On behalf of everyone at Rocktown Adventures and Rock Cut Concession, thank you to all that have served in the military. And thank you to those serving today.

We started a partnership with Fire Dept. Coffee last year to offer paddling events to Veterans and First Responders. Our initial outing was Aug 20. We look forward to hosting a few more next season. More info to come next spring. Thank you and be well.

Please be advised that the park will be closed to all visitors this weekend for the annual disabled turkey and deer hunt. Be safe!

Some words to live by when outdoors!

Check out these helpful tips on how you can recreate responsibly!

Harlem Rd entrance and the Olson Lake Annex are now open!

The Concessions are closed for the season. Many thanks to our staff and all who visited the park this year! See you in Spring!

Come and get it! We need your help finishing our ice cream! Cafe is open at 11am!

Closing Weekend Sale! Don't let the bait go to waste! All bait is 50% off! While supplies last, limit 2 per customer.

Group shot on the pedestrian bridge at Atwood Park for our last trip of the season yesterday on the Kishwaukee. Absolutely perfect day to be on the water. Thanks to all that came out. Events will start up again when we have snow on the ground. I saw it this week already up north! It's coming.

Not a cloud in the sky and temps on the rise! We will be renting everything this weekend starting at 8am. Come out to enjoy the last 70 degree days of the year!

Still plenty of time to get a line wet this season. And we can save you a few $$$. All NuCanoe Flint fishing kayaks are $200 off while we have them in stock. Out with the old, in with the new kind of thing. Get your great deal today! Available at our downtown Rockford store location.

Hope everyone is having as much fun with the fall bite as she is! Tight lines to one and all.

Feels like a sweet cream kind of weekend.
Lone Rock Café now offers Sweet Cream & Pumpkin Spice coffee! Both available hot or cold. Café open Saturday & Sunday 11am to 7pm.

To paraphrase Bob Dylan, "The leaves, they are a-changing!" Which makes it a perfect time to get a line wet on Pierce Lake. Select tackle on sale at the Outdoor Store at Rock Cut.

Last minute notice. We have two spots available for our backpacking experience Oct 16 - 22. This trip is not on our calendar as it was filled based on previous adventures. This is a beginner/intermediate level experience. We now have two spots open if you can get the time off to enjoy some peak fall foliage. Price for this week long adventure is $729. You will eat well on the trail! Please call our downtown Rockford store at 815-636-9066 or email [email protected] if interested. We have until Saturday Oct 8 to fill the spots.

We are loving the change in color happening at the park, the weather has been perfect for enjoying the water and a cup of coffee. Rentals available daily starting at 8am.

Hours Update! Cafe open weekends only, rentals available daily, last weekend for the campground store.

Get ready for the fall bite. All CS Lures and Apex fishing tackle is 50% off! Offer good at the Outdoor Store at Rock Cut State Park Concession. Get 'em while we have them!

Last chance to enjoy our lakeside fish fry! All day for $9.50! Rentals are still available too, come enjoy time on the water and have a bite to eat.

The Lone Rock Cafe's Fish Fry is back! September 23rd & 30th. We will have your choice of a fish sandwich dinner or a three piece dinner, served with fries, & coleslaw! We will serve food up until 7pm! Rentals are also still available starting at 8am daily.

Timeline photos

The Lone Rock Cafe's Fish Fry is back! September 23rd & 30th. We will have your choice of a fish sandwich dinner or a three piece dinner, served with fries, & coleslaw! We will serve food up until 7pm! Rentals are also still available starting at 8am daily.

Come enjoy the fall weather from the lake. Rentals available daily starting at 8am.

Weather is perfect for a fish fry! 3 piece dinner or Fish Sandwich served with fries and coleslaw for $9.50!

The Lone Rock Cafe's Fish Fry is back! September 23rd & 30th. We will have your choice of a fish sandwich dinner or a three piece dinner, served with fries, & coleslaw! We will serve food up until 7pm! Rentals are also still available starting at 8am daily.

The Lone Rock Cafe's Fish Fry is back! September 23rd & 30th. We will have your choice of a fish sandwich dinner or a three piece dinner, served with fries, & coleslaw! We will serve food up until 7pm! Rentals are also still available starting at 8am daily.

Join Rocktown Adventures tomorrow night from 6:00 - 7:30 for our first Kayak Hunting Seminar. You can come in store at our downtown location or join us on Rocktown Adventures Facebook Live. No matter where you take it in, you will walk away with some knowledge to help you this hunting season. For more info or to register (free event, but we like to know how many people may be in the store!) please visit https://bit.ly/3ChYtiC.

Spent a "Chamber of Commerce" weather day on Saturday with the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, giving some basic instruction on how to paddle and then touring Pierce Lake. Great to see people enjoying their time in a kayak. Still some paddling season left before we turn to Cross Country Skiing. Give us a call to create a unique outdoor adventure for your group.

UPDATE: We Have Sold Out! Thank you for the overwhelming support!

There is more to paddling than dropping a blade and pulling back. And if you want to enjoy paddling rivers there is quite a bit to learn to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Join us for a Moving Water Class Sept 24 from 1 - 4 PM. If you enjoy paddling rivers or want to expand your paddling options, this class is for you. For more info or to register please visit https://bit.ly/2zpjCta.

We have a few used fishing kayaks available if you want to get off shore so you can catch more! All are pedal powered. From Jackson Kayak we have the Blue Sky ($2400), Cruise FD ($1500), and Bite FD ($1600). From Old Town we have a Predator ($1500). Available to be viewed at our downtown Rockford location.

UPDATE: We have SOLD OUT of the kayaks we had available at the park. Thank you!

Help us wish Rock Cut another happy 60 years with a scoop of Anniversary Cake ice cream! Cafe is open 11am to 7pm everyday this month.

Happy Birthday to Our Beautiful Park! September marks 60 years since the park was dedicated in 1962. These pictures are from when Pierce Lake was drained in the 1970's.

Now that RPS 205 is back, safe to say the kids are all back to school! Take advantage of the newfound free time and hit the water. Still plenty of time left in paddle season for a river trip or kayak rental. Definitely a great part of the year for some "Me Time" with temps staying in the mid-70s throughout the month!