From western Illinois, the park is reached by Route 251 north from Rockford, again to Illinois 173 east. From eastern Illinois, the park is easily reached via I-90, the Northwest Tollway, to the Riverside exit. Rock Cut State Park reportedly was named for the abandoned quarry operations from more than a century ago. Evidence of old quarry pits are visible at the northeast shore of Pierce Lake. These pits are now filled with water and are rearing ponds for migratory birds and local wildlife.
Foot bridges cross different waterways in the park.
Pine Crest Picnic Area is a convenient place to start biking. Other convenient parking locations include the three separate parking lanes south of Hickory Hills Campground and the parking area located directly north of the dam. 1 Pecatonica Prairie Path 1 2. Rock Cut State Park S 3. Prairie Trail North 9 4.