Black Hawk State Historic Site - Home Black Hawk State Historic Site is a 213 acre park managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources that showcases the fascinating cultural history and diverse natural resources of the Quad Cities. Explore hiking trails along the Rock River and through the nature preserve. Discover the history of Black Hawk and the Sauk and Meskwaki people by visiting the John Hauberg Museum. Reserve the beautiful Watch Tower Lodge (built by the Civilian Conservation Corps) for your next big event. News & Announcements Apr 25 Stroll Through Springtime 7:00an - noon The 49th Stroll Through Springtime will take place on Saturday, April 25th, 2026 from 7 a.m. until noon at the Watch Tower Lodge, Black Hawk State Historic Site, 1510 46th Ave., Rock Island, IL. All events are free, and participants can come for any or all of the events. Birds will be the focus of groups from 7-9 a.m. Birders will meet by the Black Hawk statue. Expert leaders will help to locate both resident and migratory birds. Participants can bring binoculars or use the binoculars provided. From 9:00-10:00 there will a short program and refreshments in the Lodge including wild violet jelly. At 10:00 in small groups, participants will observe and identify wildflowers. The Black Hawk forest is designated Nature Preserve and has many native species of wildflowers. This event is one of the favorite events of the year for many who use Black Hawk State Historic Site and is appropriate for all ages.