Prophetstown State Recreation Area

{{Short description|State park in Illinois, USA}}

{{for|the Indiana State Park|Prophetstown State Park}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox protected area

| name = Prophetstown State Park

| iucn_category = V

| map = Illinois#USA

| map_width = 200

| map_caption = Map of the U.S. state of Illinois showing the location of Prophetstown State Park

| location = Whiteside County, Illinois, USA

| nearest_city = Prophetstown, Illinois

| coordinates = {{coord|41|40|19|N|89|55|26|W|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

| area = {{convert|53|acre|ha}}

| established = 1947

| visitation_num =

| visitation_year =

| governing_body = Illinois Department of Natural Resources

|status =

| website = [https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/Parks/Pages/Prophetstown.aspx Official Website]

}}

Prophetstown State Park is an Illinois state park on {{convert|53|acre|ha}} in Whiteside County, Illinois, United States. Situated on south bank of the Rock River adjoining modern Prophetstown, Illinois, it was the site of a native American village founded by Ho-Chunk chief Wabokieshiek (also known as White Cloud) along the Sauk Trail and populated in the early 19th century by Native Americans of various tribes who did not wish to evacuate across the Mississippi River as whites moved to the area. It became a strategic target during the Black Hawk War. Illinois militia general Samuel Whiteside ordered the recently abandoned village burned on May 10, 1832.

Pursuant to the efforts of newspaperman and 10-term Prophetstown mayor George S. Brydia, who also served many terms as a representative in the Illinois General Assembly, the state park was founded in 1947. Gov. William G. Stratton formally dedicated the park on September 18, 1953.

It has a campground and other facilities, but may be closed (especially before May 1 annually) due to flooding or budget constraints.