Things to See

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, wildlife, wildflowers, & more.

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Canyons & Waterfalls

Although you can (technically) see waterfalls in 14 of the 18 canyons, some of the most scenic waterfalls are found in St. Louis, French, Wildcat, Tonty, Ottawa and Kaskaskia canyons. The best times to see waterfalls are in the spring when the snow and ice…

Over 14 Canyons with Waterfalls • Frozen Falls in Winter
Wildflower

Wildflowers & Plants

Did you know that Starved Rock State Park in Utica, IL is home to over 200 different wildflowers? Each year, the unique combination of sun, wind, water, temperature, elevation and precise location sets the stage for an ever-changing display of wildflowers.

Wildflower Guide • Seasonal Flowers • Beautiful Blooms all Year
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Wildlife, Birds, & Reptiles

White-tailed deer are just one type of wildlife which may be seen at Starved Rock. Bald eagles “flock to the rock” in the winter. And, white pelicans migrate to the Illinois Valley in the spring and fall. Fins & More Fish, Frogs, Toads, Salamanders, Snakes, Turtles,…

Birding • Bald Eagles • Remarkable Mammals • Deer, Otters & more...