Travel
Family
United States
Illinois
North Utica
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Stay at Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort & Waterpark in North Utica, IL. Dates into June.

Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort & Waterpark
3.5
3.6

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This woodsy resort is located near Starved Rock State Park and offers activities for whole family

What You Get

  • Stay for four in a balcony family suite

Policies and Fees

  • Reservations: Dates cannot be changed once booked; valid only for night(s) purchased.
  • Cancellation policy: 4-day cancellation notice required prior to check-in or reservation is non-refundable; reservations made within cancellation window are non-refundable.
  • Rates may vary by date and are subject to availability.

No-shows will be charged total voucher rate; no refunds, rescheduling, or rebooking allowed.

Hotel at a Glance: Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort & Waterpark

For a family getaway from Chicago, the Quad Cities, or Central Illinois, few spots are more alluring than scenic Starved Rock State Park in central Illinois, a year-round hiking destination beloved for its sandstone canyons. Located less than two miles from the state park, Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort draws couples, families, and large groups with its massive indoor waterpark. To enhance the trip, consider a stay at Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort.

  • Onsite waterpark: Splash around Grand Bear Falls, the 24,000 square foot indoor waterpark which features a wave pool, water slides, hot tub, lazy river, kiddie pool, and play zones.
  • Waterpark concessions: Head over to the Wave Cave to sip on adult beverages or snack on soft-pretzels, Nathan’s Famous all-beef hot dogs, and nachos.
  • Where you’ll stay: Guest suites have a Northwoods vibe and also provide the comforts of home, including cable TV and free WiFi.
  • Hearty dining is available at Jack’s Place Restaurant & Bar, which serves traditional American dishes. Hours of operation vary, click here to see all dining options.
  • Onsite entertainment: Play a round at Canyon Creek Mini Golf, or try your luck at Cave Arcade, featuring over 60 different thrilling games, and open Friday–Sunday.

Waterpark opens on April 12, click here for hours.

Utica, IL: A Historic Refuge

Located between the Quad Cities, Peoria, and Chicago, Utica, IL offers refuge from the hustle and bustle of daily life in the city and a step back into a more-quaint time. The town was established during the 1830’s along the banks of the Illinois River as a riverside stop from the steamboats that darted up and down the winding river. Visitors today can take a look at the Illinois/Michigan canal, which helped Illinois sailors run river trading during much of the 19th century, or the LaSalle County Historical Museum, which was one a general store for pioneers settling the area.

Just south of Utica and across the Illinois River are Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore each parks’ unique and striking rock formations while soaking in the immense amount of vegetation and wildlife. In summer, the park’s meadows are blanketed with wildflowers including black-eyed susans, partridge-pea blossoms, and purple mint buds. Those who enjoy the water can wind along the Illinois River as it cuts through Starved Rock park.

Other Details

Room Details

Balcony Family Suite

  • Two queen beds and one sofa bed
  • Standard occupancy: 4
  • Maximum occupancy: 6
  • Adding occupants above standard: $20 per night for each additional guest

Hotel Policies

  • Check in: 4 p.m.
  • Check out: 11 a.m.
  • Parking: free
  • Smoking policy: no smoking inside the property.
  • Pet policy: pets are not allowed inside the property.
  • Accessibility: please contact property for handicap accessibility requests or options.
  • Room upgrades: upgrades may be available by calling the property or at check-in for an additional cost.

Amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Several dining options
  • Family story time
  • Family movie night (Friday–Saturday)
  • Arcade (Friday–Sunday)
  • Mini-golf (based on weather)
  • Water park

Traveler's Tips

  • Arcade and restaurant/bar available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only. Please see the resort website for hours of operation.

Getting There

  • Nearest airport: Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW; 87 mi.)
  • Distance to Chicago: 94 mi.

Need to know info

  • Dates cannot be changed once booked; valid only for night(s) purchased
  • 4-day cancellation notice required prior to check-in or reservation is non-refundable; reservations made within cancellation window are non-refundable
  • No-shows will be charged total Groupon rate
  • Traveler name must match ID at time of check-in
  • No refunds will be processed by Groupon after check-in
  • Must be 21 or older to check in
  • Credit card required at check-in
  • Final price at checkout may include an additional Groupon service fee, which Groupon retains as compensation for facilitating your reservation; this fee will not exceed 6% of the nightly cost of the reservation.
  • Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services.
  • Learn about Strike-Through Pricing and Savings

About Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort & Waterpark

Customer Reviews

  • water park
  • staff
  • pool
  • water
  • food
Reviewed on
Sherri
1 rating|
Love the lodge feeling
Sydney
Helpful reviewer
1 rating|1 review
At first we were put in a room that smelled really weird/smokey, the TV was outdated, and the toilet didn't work. I asked a few times for a new room and finally they moved us. If you get stuck in a room you don't think is up to standard just say something! After that, the trip was fantastic. There are restaurants in the area that will deliver to your door. There is a huge fireplace that is on all hours of the day and night with couches (perfect for late night reading). The beds were comfy. Can't wait for the water park to open!
Kalila
Helpful reviewer
3 ratings|2 reviews
the best thing about this resort is that they have they’re own mini golf course! Another great thing is that the resort is within the state park & they have their own mini cliff right next to the outdoor bar!
Reviewed on
Edwing D
|1 review
Do not go to this place, camp if you can you will have a better experience Terrible stay someone took our bag with one iPhone, 3 charger, all my family runnings shoes, some souvenirs from Starve Rock State Park, etc. The manager told us that the cameras do not record the events in the hotel, my belongings were visible in 2 cameras and 2 employees were next to my stuff. The customer service was bad and any employee was worried about what happen the manager left the hotel after we talk to her.
Sharon S
|1 review
Terrible management and service The resort staff was and are awful. I would never go back again. The resort is mediocre and their advertisement's are false. The managers lie and don't return calls. The resort shuts down without out notice and the place is a mess. I have tried to get a response out of the general manger her name is Leslie and she does not respond to calls and or emails. I have also talked to Richard and he makes empty promises as do the front desk staff. I would never return and highly recommend to anyone planning to go there to not do so.
Katie T
|1 review
One and done vacation spot Going to Grand Bear as a child compared to now is night and day difference. They’re short staffed. Nothing is hardly open during the week. Arcade was closed Tuesday even though we were told the arcade was open when the water park was open. The water park doesn’t open until 4pm on Tuesdays so we had to drive an hour to find something to do to kill time until then. When the water park was open the hot tub was closed all week for whatever reason. There were ants all over our balcony as well as dirty socks laying on the ac unit out there. They forgot our pack n play so I had to go to the desk to pick it up and take it back to the room. They did the same thing with our towels. When you turn on the shower, water came out as a bath as well at the same time. Also they added on the $50 waterpark day pass even though I told them I needed to discuss it with my husband then she said I could cancel it at the desk when we go to check in. I went in to get directions and information and they had us pay. 5 minutes later I came back saying I didn’t want the vip waterpark pass because we weren’t using the waterpark until after check in and she said it was already charged when I checked in even though we couldn’t “check in” until 4 pm.. she said she’d talk to her manager about refunding it and it never happened. We never heard anything about it and we ended up getting charged. Overall, check your times when stuff is open before you go and expect things to be closed due to short staff.

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