Starved Rock State Park is a world apart from anything else in Illinois! You will know it the minute you enter the park, as you wind your car through the towering trees.
Amazing waterfalls are active in the spring and after heavy rains. We have 13 miles of trails to explore, plus, the Illinois River offers fishing (ice fishing, too), boating, extraordinary views and great places to relax.
Don't worry if you can't fit it all in, historic Starved Rock Lodge is just up the hill and is the only lodging located in the State Park. The Lodge is located on a bluff overlooking the Visitor Center and the Illinois River. Comfortable lodge rooms and cabins in the woods make for a great night's stay when you visit the park.
Come and see the largest two-sided stone fireplace in Illinois! The Dining Room, Cafe and Back Door Lounge are open to the public year 'round.
The Park and all the parking lots are free to the public.
The Trails are open all year, but hikers are urged to exercise extreme caution and to stay on official trails. The park is open from 7am until 9pm. The Trails are open from dawn until dusk.
To protect the visitor and the park DO NOT:
Do not Hike after dark
Do not rappell or scramble on the Rock
Do not Hike OFF marked trails
Do not swim or wade
Do not ride a bicycle on Hiking trails
Do not pick or remove Anything including Wildflowers
Allow pets off Leash
Do not Camp, except at the Campground
Do not possess Alcohol
Starved Rock Chosen 1 of 3 Family-friendly Spots for a Day Trip or Getaway Sometimes you just need to get out of town. But in today’s economic climate it may not be feasible to go far. Thankfully, Chicagoans and suburbanites don’t need to travel far to feel like they’ve escaped from it all. There’s a plethora of destinations good for day trips or weekend getaways just outside our collective backdoor. We’ve picked three family-friendly spots that won’t necessarily empty the gas tank or the wallet: Rockford (84 miles/1.5 hours from downtown Chicago), St. Charles/Geneva (39 miles/one hour) and Starved Rock (95 miles/1.75 hours). All offer plenty for families to discover and enjoy. Read More »
A bald eagle that was shot now flies free An immature bald eagle recovered last fall with a shotgun wound was released back to the wild Saturday at Starved Rock.
The female bird named Peace was set free by members of Hoo Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center in Durand.
Hundreds of people gathered at the south shore of the Illinois River while rehabilitators and photographers gathered with the bird across the river on Plum Island. The scene mimicked a release of two rehabilitated bald eagles Nov. 12 at the island.
Bernice Wienke drove Saturday from Belvidere to see it.
“I’m a bird watcher. I was up there watching birds,” she said, pointing to the state park visitor center. “But I also came down to see the eagle. I can’t wait to go see the pelicans. I drove all the way down here just to see them.”
The eagle release was part of Starved Rock’s new weekend event, Pelican Days. Read More »
Eagle Release Steve and Karen Herdklotz of Hoo Haven Rehabilitation Center, look on proudly as "Peace" spreads his wings and is released back into the wild Saturday at Starved Rock State Park. "Peace"was found after being shot last November and has since made a full recovery at Hoo Haven. To see a video of the release, go online to http://youtu.be/HVTddmSKvZc. Read More »
