Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions
STARVED ROCK & MATTHIESSEN STATE PARKS
ARE YOU OPEN YEAR ROUND?
Yes, the Lodge and Park are open 365 days a year for your pleasure.
DOES THE PARK CLOSE IF IT IS FLOODED?
Even if the Parking lots flood, the park does not close. You can park up by the Lodge.
CAN WE ACCESS THE TRAILS FROM THE LODGE?
Yes, there are three access points from the Lodge that take you to the trails.
DO YOU HAVE HANDICAPPED ROOMS?
Yes, we do have a few rooms that are specifically handicapped accessible. If you are in need of one of these rooms, please let your reservationist know so we can try to accommodate. They are taken on a first come first serve basis.
WHERE ARE THE WATERFALLS?
They are found in 14 of the 18 canyons in the spring or after a heavy rain. The most scenic waterfalls at Starved Rock are found in St. Louis, French, Wildcat, Tonty, LaSalle, Hennepin, Ottawa, Kaskaskia, and Illinois Canyons. At Matthiessen they are found at Matthiessen Lake falls and Cascade falls.
WHERE CAN WE SEE BALD EAGLES?
Eagles can usually be seen fishing below the Starved Rock Lock and Dam and roosting on Leopold and Plum Islands December through February. The highest concentration of eagles is during the coldest time of year, usually January. When the river freezes eagles have to find open water to search for fish which they find in the turbulent water below the dam. Generally speaking you can see between 5 and 30 eagles at any one time December through February depending on weather conditions. The best place to view the bald eagles is from the top of Starved Rock. Binoculars are loaned out at the Starved Rock Visitor Center by leaving your Driver's License. The Visitor Center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's.
WHERE ARE THE ICE FALLS?
Ice falls are found in 14 of the 18 canyons when enough moisture falls during fall and winter for the ice falls to form. The most scenic ice falls at Starved Rock are found in St. Louis, French, Wildcat, Tonty, LaSalle, Hennepin, Ottawa, and Kaskaskia Canyons. At Matthiessen they are found at Matthiessen Lake Falls and Cascade Falls.
CAN WE GRILL OUTSIDE OUR CABIN?
No, grilling is not allowed on the Lodge grounds. If you want to bring a grill, you may grill in the picnic areas in the lower park only.
ARE ANY OF THE ROOMS SMOKING ROOMS?
No, Starved Rock Lodge is a smoke free facility. You can smoke outside as long as you are 15 feet from any door. This is a state law in Illinois.
DO YOU OFFER WIRELESS INTERNET?
Yes, the Lodge has wireless internet in all the rooms, public areas and cabins.
HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO RENT A ROOM OR CABIN?
You have to be 21 to rent a room or a cabin at Starved Rock Lodge and at Starved Rock Inn.
ARE THERE ADJOINING ROOMS?
Yes, some of the rooms in the Lodge have adjoining rooms, please check with the reservationist for availability of these rooms.
WHAT ARE CHECK OUT AND CHECK IN TIMES? CAN I CHECK IN EARLY?
Check in is guaranteed at 3pm on the day of your arrival. Check out is the following morning at 11am. Early check in's are not usually available, due to a full house most of the time. You can check with the Front Desk upon your arrival to see if your room is available, but we do not guarantee check in until 3pm.
ARE THE TRAILS OPEN IN THE WINTER?
Yes, the park is open 365 days a year. The trails are beautiful in the winter!
WHEN DO THE COLORS ON THE TREES CHANGE FOR FALL?
Mother Nature is the only one that can tell us when the trees will start changing. This time depends upon temperature and rainfall. Generally...the trees start to change by October 1st and peak around the middle of October, however, this can change depending upon the weather from year to year.
DO WE NEED RESERVATIONS FOR DINNER?
Reservations are highly recommended for all meals in the Dining Room to assure you will get the time you would like to dine with us.
DO THE CABINS HAVE KITCHENS?
No, the cabins at Starved Rock Lodge are a basic hotel room in a cabin setting. They do not have kitchens, refrigerators, or microwaves.
WHAT ARE THE POOL HOURS?
The pool is open from 9am till 10pm Sunday through Thursday and 9am till 11pm on Friday and Saturdays.
CAN I PAY TO USE THE POOL FOR THE DAY?
No, our insurance does not allow anyone to use the pool unless they are a room or cabin guest of Starved Rock Lodge or Starved Rock Inn.
IS THERE ICE CLIMBING IN THE PARK?
Ice climbing is allowed at Starved Rock in French, Wildcat, LaSalle, and Tonty Canyons. Ice climbers must sign in and out at the park office. No equipment rental is available. The park staff decides when there is enough ice to climb.
CAN WE CROSS COUNTRY SKI IN THE PARK?
Yes. When snow permits six miles of rolling, ungroomed trails are available at Matthiessen State Park (one mile south of Starved Rock). Ski trails are open daily. Ski rentals are available on weekends from December through March.
ARE THERE SNOWMOBILE TRAILS IN THE PARK?
No, however, snowmobiling is allowed on the Illinois and Michigan Canal one mile north of Starved Rock when snow conditions permit. DNR link to I&M Canal is: http://dnr.state.il.us.
ARE PETS ALLOWED IN THE PARK?
Yes, they are allowed in the park, on the trails, and in the campground. They must be kept on a leash and you must pick up after them. Pet litter bags are available at the Visitor Center. They are not allowed in any park buildings, including the Lodge.
ARE PETS ALLOWED IN THE LODGE?
No, pets are not allowed in the Lodge, or any of the buildings in the park. They are not allowed in the rooms or cabins either.
CAN WE ROCK CLIMB IN THE PARK?
No, due to the fragile nature of the rock, rock climbing and rappelling are strictly prohibited. Rock climbing is allowed in the following state parks: Giant City and Ferne Cliff near Carbondale, Illinois, and Mississippi Palisades near Savanna, Illinois.
WHEN ARE PACKAGES AVAILABLE?
Packages are generally available Monday through Thursday nights in all months with the exception of July and October. Please make sure you check the specific information for the package you are interested in for specific date restrictions.
ADA ACCESSIBLE TRAILS IN THE PARK?
No. The trails at Starved Rock and Matthiessen are in and out of canyons with many stairways, therefore, they are not accessible. However, there is a one mile sidewalk surrounding the Starved Rock Lodge with an observation deck behind the Lodge. There is a sidewalk along the river by the main parking lot which gives a good view of Starved Rock from its base. There is an art exhibit of the The Lodge, the Visitor Center, and the park office are accessible. Visitors can also drive to the Starved Rock Lock and Dam Visitor Center and observe the park from the north.
ARE THERE BICYCLE TRAILS IN THE PARK?
No. Bicycling is not allowed on the trails due to: too much erosion, too many visitors, and too many stairways found throughout the park. It would be too dangerous! The closest place to bicycle is on the Illinois & Michigan Canal one mile north of the park in Utica. This is a 62 mile trail.
ARE CASH MACHINES AVAILABLE?
Yes. Cash machines are available at Starved Rock in the Lodge and in the Visitor Center.
IS THERE HUNTING IN THE PARK?
Yes. Starved Rock/Matthiessen hunting fact sheets are on the DNR website: http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/hunter_fact_sheet/index.htm.
Where can we hike during hunting? Some hiking trails are open during hunting seasons.
WHERE CAN WE FISH AND WHAT KIND OF FISH CAN WE CATCH?
Fishing can be done at Starved Rock on the north side of the main riverside parking lot and to the west beyond the boat ramp, and also in the river if you have a boat which can be launched at our free public boat ramp. Walleye, sauger, white bass, buffalo, carp, catfish, and bullheads can be caught throughout the year.
CAN THE TRAILS BE ACCESSED FROM THE STARVED ROCK CAMPGROUND?
No. The only way to access the trails is to drive to the main parking lot near the Visitor Center or to one of the outlying trail parking lots.
CAN I RESERVE CAMP SITES OVER THE PHONE?
No, reservations must be made by going to www.reserveamerica.com. Camping fees must be paid by cash, check, or Traveler's Check.
CAN I USE A CREDIT CARD TO MAKE A RESERVATION OR TO PAY FOR CAMPING?
No, we do not accept credit cards. Reservations need to be made by going to www.reserveamerica.com.
IS THERE CAMPING AT MATTHIESSEN?
No, but the Starved Rock campground is located one mile east of Matthiessen.
DO WE NEED TO MAKE A CAMPING RESERVATION DURING THE WEEK?
Reservations are taken by going to www.reserveamerica.com
ARE THERE HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE SITES IN THE CAMPGROUND?
Yes. There are seven sites with a concrete pad and a sidewalk leading to the nearest primitive toilet. Two of these sites are available for reservations.
DOES STARVED ROCK RENT TENTS?
No, there is no rental of tents, or any type of camping equipment.
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