Starved Rock State Park
Heading towards Wildcat Canyon on a chilly, quiet December morning. Photo by Jordan Goebig.
Starved Rock State Park is breathtaking. There’s a clear reason why it’s such a popular park, it certainly is one of Illinois’ most beautiful state parks, and its proximity to several larger Illinois communities makes it ideal for a getaway. BUT, it’s packed and over-run all spring and summer long. About five years ago, Adam and I started a Christmas tradition where we go on the actual day and hike all morning. It’s the perfect time of year to explore and enjoy the trails on your own.
Trail Conditions
. 5 - 13 miles of mostly out-and-back trails (from the Visitor’s Center)
There are some very serious elevation changes to start the trails with steep stairways to aid in your ascent/descent. The trails are a mix of natural dirt/sand and wooden walkways. The wooden walkways can be very slick in the winter months, so take caution when walking. The trails are nice and wide.
All of the trails and canyons are well-marked, with ample trail maps set-up on the trails. You can also pop into the Visitor’s Center or Lodge to get a printed trail map.
The trails are definitely taken care of by the park staff. Human visitors could certainly follow the example and stop graffiti-ing trail signage, trees, and rocks.
Things We Love
Those views. The canyon overlooks are spectacular, heading into the canyons is otherworldly, and walking along the river is serene. There’s so much to see and explore.
There’s an abundance of wildlife - birds (and bald eagles migrate through en masse in January!), deer, and foxes have been spotted by our little crew on the trails, especially when visiting during the off-season.
Personal opinion, but I appreciate an Illinois park that gets your heart rate up, and this park offers that. Adam also noted that some of the wooden walkways increase the accessibility for individuals with limited mobility and/or families with young kids.
In the winter, the frozen waterfalls are just so cool.
Things to Know
There is a lodge and a restaurant on-site. In 2020, we rented a pet-friendly cabin (Pioneer Cabin) for a night, and it was worth the experience. It was clean, warm, and cozy with decent WiFi - in case you don’t want to be too away - and just feet from canyons and trails. We will stay again.
There is camping available, but we have never camped. We’ve heard that during summer months, it’s packed and touristy - not a great “getaway” if you’re looking to literally “Get Away” from humans.
In the summertime (and now it’s creeping into Spring and Fall), the parking lot/park closes to additional visitors by 10 a.m. So, if you have to go in the summer, go really early.
Due to its proximity to a body of water, this is a park that can be easily affected by stormy weather. Some of the trails are in very low spots, and flooding in the summer is a regular problem. I don’t like to hike here during wet seasons (between trail closures and bugs, it’s just not worth it). Another reason to hike here during the winter…
Starved Rock State Park & Lodge has a really active Facebook presence.
Starved Rock Lodge Website (lots of useful info here, not just about the lodge)
Park Map (with current trail closures)
