Starved Rock among Illinois' best places for hiking, waterfalls. Here’s what to know.
Starved Rock State Park is a popular destination for nature lovers and continues to be one of the top destinations for hiking and other outdoor activities in Illinois.
Visitors can even plan ahead and stay overnight at the Starved Rock Lodge or the Starved Rock Campground.
Here's what you need to know about Starved Rock:
Where is Starved Rock State Park?
The Illinois park sits along side the Illinois River in LaSalle County.
What town is Starved Rock in?
Starved Rock is located in the city of Oglesby, Ill.
How far is Starved Rock from Peoria, Ill.?
The park is approximately 65 miles away, or a drive of about an hour and 15 minutes.
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How far is Starved Rock from Chicago?
The park is approximately 98 miles away, or a drive of about 2 hours and 5 minutes.
When does Starved Rock open and close?
Starved Rock trails are open from 7 a.m. to sunset daily, while the visitors center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The visitors center is closed on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Lincoln's Birthday, Presidents Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Due to health and safety reasons, visitors are not allowed on trails after dark. Fines begin at $195 per person.
For more information, call (815) 667-4726 or visit dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.starvedrock.html.
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What is Starved Rock famous for?
There is plenty of history at Starved Rock State Park, according to the website. These days people enjoy the sandstone overhangs, overlooks and waterfalls, as well as boating, camping, fishing, hiking and hunting.
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Do you have to pay to get into Starved Rock?
No, according to the Starved Rock Lodge website. In fact, all state parks offer free admission in Illinois.
How long a hike is Starved Rock?
This map shows 16 trails that cover 13 total miles at Starved Rock from the lodge. Trail distances are all one-way.
Can you swim in waterfalls at Starved Rock?
No swimming is allowed in the waterfalls, according to the Illinois DNR.
How hard is the Starved Rock hike?
According to the lodge website, the trails are natural dirt and sand paths with multiple metal or wooden overlook staircases and decking at Starved Rock, Eagle Cliff and Lovers Leap.
There are few flat areas for hiking at the park due to the topography, or surface of the land. The site says Illinois Canyon is without staircases and is the flattest of the trails. However, there may be creek crossings where feet may get muddy or wet.
If you are looking for trails compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), you won't find any at Starved Rock, but there are ADA compliant sidewalks that lead to the Art in the Park wooden tree carvings, as well as surrounding the lodge and visitors center.
What is not allowed at Starved Rock State Park?
Alcohol and any intoxicating substances (Exception: Alcohol is permitted in the picnic area from June 1 - Dec. 31.)
Bicycles, scooters, skateboards, skates, etc.
Camping is prohibited outside of the state campground
Drones
Ground fires outside of the campground
Hiking after dark
Littering of any kind
Metal detecting
Picnicking outside of designated picnic areas
Removal of historical artifacts, rocks, plants, flowers, trees or wildlife
Rock climbing, rappelling and scaling the sandstone features including the canyon walls
Sliding, swimming or wading in any body of water including the canyon creeks, river or waterfalls
Is there camping at Starved Rock?
Yes. The Starved Rock Campground sits just outside the state park to the south of Route 71 and is open year round. Reservations are encouraged and can be made online at www.campexploremore.il.
Youth groups and disabled Illinois citizens must make reservations through the park office at (815) 667-4726. For more information, visit www2.illinois.gov/dnr.
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Are there cabin rentals at Starved Rock?
Yes. There are cabins and rooms available at Starved Rock Lodge. Check-in time is guaranteed at 4 p.m. and checkout time is 11 a.m. Rates are based on capacity.
Reservations can be made online at www.starvedrocklodge.com or by calling (815) 667-4211.
Chris Sims is a digital producer for the Journal Star. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Starved Rock State Park: Hiking, waterfalls, camping and more
