The state park is noted for its Native American rock carvings and for its finely crafted stonework from the 1930s.

It is also believed that the park served as ceremonial grounds for these Middle Mississippi people who were related to the builders of the Cahokia Mounds in Illinois.

Most of the carvings are of birds, arrows, footprints, turkey tracks, human figures, and various geometric shapes and patterns.

[6][7] The park was built during the Great Depression of the 1930s by the African-American stonemasons of the Civilian Conservation Corps known as Company 1743.

[11]: 445–466 Park activities include camping, fishing, canoeing, hiking, and swimming in both the Big River and an olympic-sized pool.