Park News & Writings
Pelicans at Starved Rock?
April 17, 2015

Yes, pelicans do visit Starved Rock! That may shock a lot of people, but this great phenomenon has been happening now for about 10 years. After some investigating, it turns out that over the last 10 years or so, a few of these pelicans began migrating up and down the Illinois River. Until then, the furthest east they were known … Continue Reading
Let the Spring Songbird Migration BEGIN!
March 17, 2015

The migration of songbirds who spend their winters in Mexico, South America and other places where insects are available all year round take place every Spring. To the birder (or photographer like me), this is a very exciting time of year. If you are looking in the right places and are patient and diligent enough to try, you can witness … Continue Reading
Icefalls at Starved Rock
January 29, 2015
Ice falls at Starved Rock are one of the most beautiful, natural works of art that happen every year!
First…many of us might wonder how the ice falls are formed. Here is some information that I found online about this very subject.
First, there must be an anchor for the ice fall. The process begins when the temperature is below … Continue Reading
Can you #spottheeagle ?
December 22, 2014
The eagles have been migrating down all month – due to the earlier than cold temperatures up north. Soon, as the temperatures get a little colder here in Illinois, and the ice freezes on the river, the eagles will flock to the dam for feeding. This is a spectacular annual event here at Starved Rock. Bird watchers, photographers and just … Continue Reading
The Eagles are coming!
November 7, 2014
Now that the colder weather is setting in – the North American Bald Eagle will be starting to make their journey from north down to Starved Rock. These majestic creatures spend their winters with us each and every year, feasting on fish in the Illinois River. The best time to view them is when the rivers are frozen. When that … Continue Reading
Governor Announces expansion at Starved Rock State Park.
October 10, 2014
Fall Colors Abound
September 29, 2014
Want to see what the fall colors are doing on a daily basis at Starved Rock State Park? Kathy is tracking the fall colors DAILY…so just click on this link for the latest daily updates on how the fall colors are doing at the park!
http://www.starvedrocklodge.com/activity/experience-autumn-starved-rock/… Continue Reading
Mini Abe Visits St. Louis Canyon
June 18, 2014
Have you seen the new commercial for Mini Abe? The new Illinois Office of Tourism has released a new commercial with Mini Abe visiting many places in the State – and one of them was St. Louis Canyon! In each instance Mini-Abe responds to their impressiveness with a big “whoa.” It definitely is a great honor to have Abe here … Continue Reading
Hike with Edna
April 3, 2014
Edna…our Activities Director and leader of the weekly Walkers Club has started a blog. She writes weekly about her hiking adventures here at the Park. She posts plenty of photos so you can hike along from your computer and home and see what she sees! It is a great way to get trail conditions and information about the park…here … Continue Reading
Mergansers of the Illinois River
March 4, 2014
Not only do the American Bald Eagle winter here at Starved Rock, but the Common Merganser does as well. Most Common Mergansers are migratory birds, spending summers in the Canada and Alaska for breeding season. When the waters freeze over up north, the birds will migrate south and spend the winter where there is open water, such as our Lock … Continue Reading