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Starved Rock State Park |
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P.O. Box 509
Utica, IL 61373
815.667.4726
UPDATE: 8/3/06: Starved Rock's Campground will be closed during Shotgun Deer
Hunting Seasons (November 17-19 and November 30 - Dec. 3)
Experience the fun of outdoor adventure at Starved Rock State Park. Whether you
enjoy hiking along the nature trails or viewing the many spectacular overlooks
along the Illinois River, recreational opportunities abound. From picnicking to
fishing to boating, from horseback riding to camping to enjoying winter sports,
there’s so much to do that you’ll come back again and again.
The backdrop for your activities are 18 canyons formed by glacial meltwater and
stream erosion. They slice dramatically through tree-covered, sandstone bluffs
for four miles at Starved Rock State Park, which is located along the south side
of the Illinois River, one mile south of Utica and midway between the cities of
LaSalle-Peru and Ottawa.
The park is best known for its fascinating rock formations, primarily St. Peter
sandstone, laid down in a huge shallow inland sea more than 425 million years
ago and later brought to the surface.
While the areas along the river and its tributaries still are predominantly
forested, much of the area is a flat, gently rolling plain. The upland prairies
were created during an intensive warming period several thousand years after the
melting of the glaciers. The Illinois River Valley in the Starved Rock area is a
major contrast to the flatland. The valley was formed by a series of floods as
glacial meltwater broke through moraines, sending torrents of water surging
across the land and deeply eroding the sandstone and other sedimentary rocks.
During early spring, when the end of winter thaw is occurring and rains are
frequent, sparkling waterfalls are found at the heads of all 18 canyons, and
vertical walls of moss-covered stone create a setting of natural geologic beauty
uncommon in Illinois. Some of the longer-lasting waterfalls are found in French,
LaSalle and St. Louis canyons.
 Waterfalls,
rivers and streams can undercut a cliff, creating overhangs in the sandstone,
like Council Overhang at the east end of the park. Other sights can be seen from
the bluffs themselves, which provide vantage points for enjoying spectacular
vistas. The porous sandstone bluffs allow water to soak quickly through, only to
collect in greater quantities on the slopes below. The resulting lush vegetation
supports an abundant wildlife and bird population, including woodchucks, moles,
vireos and catbirds. Wood ducks that nest in hollow trees occasionally can be
seen paddling along the river’s edge. Evidence of beavers and muskrats can be
seen as you walk along the River Trail.
Black oak, red cedar and white oak, as well as white pine and white cedar, grow
on the drier, sandy bluff tops. Yellowbellied sapsuckers drill parallel rows of
small holes on cedar trees and return to feed on sap and small insects.
Serviceberry and northern honeysuckle--shrubs that prefer a well-drained
area--attract scarlet tangers and cedar waxwings.
Farther away from the bluffs, red oaks and hickories predominate in deeper
soils. Typical plants characteristic of the forest floor include the American
witch hazel, black huckleberry and bracken fern. Nuthatches and chickadees feed
on nuts, seeds and insects found in the bark of trees. Raccoons and flying
squirrels spend many hours searching for and gathering berries and nuts.
At the forest edge, bright blue indigo buntings flit through the wild crab apple
and plum trees that skirt the former glacial till prairie, while cottontail
rabbits scamper through the bluestem and Indian grasses. In the sandy prairie
soil, prickly pear cactus grows alongside lead plant, compass plant and
rattlesnake master. White-tailed deer come to munch on the sumac, and red-tailed
hawks soar overhead in search of voles and field mice.
Throughout spring and summer, wildflowers are as plentiful and varied as they
are beautiful. Included in the floral array are colorful lichens and mosses,
marsh marigolds, wild iris, trillium and Dutchman’s breeches, plus
purple-flowered spiderworts, nodding or orange columbine and the magenta blooms
of shooting star.
The poison ivy plant is found in all areas of the park. Its greenish-white
berries provide an important food source for birds.
Special Events
Starved Rock State Park is host to a number of enjoyable annual events,
including the Winter Wilderness Weekend in January, the Cross-Country Ski
Weekend in February, the Annual Wildflower Pilgrimage in May, the Montreal Canoe
Weekend in June - (Canceled) and the Fall Colors Weekend in October. There also
are scheduled guided hikes most weekends.
Visitor Center
Tthe visitor center offers displays and exhibits explaining the park’s cultural
and natural history. A weekly schedule of activities is posted. Hours are 9 a.m
- 4 p.m. daily (Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day).
Schools and other organized groups may arrange reservations for programs by
contacting the center at (815) 667-4906 or writing to Program Coordinator,
Starved Rock State Park, PO Box 509, Utica, IL 61373.
GUIDED HIKES, VISITOR CENTER HOURS, and SPECIAL EVENTS
Lodging
Situated on a high bluff just southwest of the rock itself is the stone and log
lodge built in part by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The lodge
has been refurbished, but still reflects the peaceful atmosphere of yesteryear.
A new hotel wing has been added and features a registration lobby, an indoor
swimming pool, children’s pool, whirlpool, saunas and an outdoor sunning patio.
The lodge offers 72 luxury hotel rooms and 22 comfortable cabin rooms. The
original Great Room is furnished with decorative rugs and art and is centered
around a massive stone fireplace.
The restaurant is open seven days a week and offers many house specialties. It
can accommodate up to 250 people for banquets. The lodge’s conference area can
accommodate up to 200 with four smaller meeting rooms also available.
For lodge reservations, call 1-800-868-ROCK (7625) or (815) 667-4211, or write
Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center, PO Box 570, Utica, IL 61373.
History
This area has been home to humans from as early as 8000 B.C. Hopewellian,
Woodland and Mississippian Native American cultures thrived here. The most
recent and probably the most numerous group of Native Americans to live here was
the Illiniwek, from the 1500s to the 1700s. Approximately 5,000 to 7,000
Kaskaskias, a subtribe of the Illiniwek, had a village extending along the bank
of the Illinois River across from the current park.
In 1673, French explorers Louis Jolliet and Father Jacques Marquette passed
through here on their way up the Illinois from the Mississippi. Known as “Pere,”
the French word for “Father,” Marquette returned two years later to found the
Mission of the Immaculate Conception-Illinois’ first Christian mission-at the
Kaskaskia Indian village.
When the French claimed the region (and, indeed, the entire Mississippi Valley),
they built Fort St. Louis atop Starved Rock in the winter of 1682-83 because of
its commanding strategic position above the last rapids on the Illinois River.
Pressured from small war parties of Iroquois in the French and Indian wars, the
French abandoned the fort by the early 1700s and retreated to what is now
Peoria, where they established Fort Pimitoui. Fort St. Louis became a haven for
traders and trappers, but by 1720 all remains of the fort had disappeared.
Starved Rock State Park derives its name from a Native American legend of
injustice and retribution. In the 1760s, Pontiac, chief of the Ottawa tribe
upriver from here, was slain by an Illiniwek while attending a tribal council in
southern Illinois. According to the legend, during one of the battles that
subsequently occurred to avenge his killing, a band of Illiniwek, under attack
by a band of Potawatomi (allies of the Ottawa), sought refuge atop a 125-foot
sandstone butte. The Ottawa and Potawatomi surrounded the bluff and held their
ground until the hapless Illiniwek died of starvation- giving rise to the name
“Starved Rock.”
The Illinois State Parks Commission was initially headquartered in Starved Rock
State Park after the park was purchased in 1911.
 Hiking
Exploring the majestic bluffs and canyons is the park’s primary attraction, and
there are 13 miles of well-marked trails to help you enjoy them.
The trails are open all year, but hikers are urged to exercise extreme caution
and to stay on official trails. To keep you oriented, trail maps are located at
all trail access points, intersections and points of interest. There are colored
posts along the trails, corresponding to colors on the maps, and letter symbols
on the trail brochure to further assist you. Finally, yellow dots on trees or
posts indicate that you are moving away from the lodge or visitor center, and
white dots mean you are returning.
Due to the park’s fragile ecosystem, camping is prohibited in unauthorized areas
and all rock climbing, rappelling or scrambling off trails is prohibited. Biking
is not allowed on the hiking trails. For your own safety, you must be off the
trails by dark. Alcohol is prohibited on all trails.
**Please note that there are no washrooms or drinking water areas on the trails.
Dam in Illinois River
Boats may be launched from the west end of the park. Also, paddlewheel boat
rides are available.
Boats are not allowed within 600 feet of the dam, as strong currents and
powerful undertows can be dangerous.
Catfish, bullhead, white bass, sauger, walleye, carp and crappie may be caught
in the Illinois River.
Under no circumstances should you attempt to wade or swim in the river, canyons
or from any park shoreline.
Hunting
Hunter Fact Sheets:
* Starved Rock: Waterfowl | Waterfowl Regulations | Deer Shotgun
* Matthiessen: Dove | Deer | Archery/Turkey | Furbearer/Spring Turkey
* Sandy Ford Deer Archery/Shotgun/Squirrel/Turkey
* Mitchell's Grove Deer Archery/Shotgun
*
MAPS:
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Nature Preserve Archery Deer Hunting MAP
o
Main Complex Archery Deer Hunting
o
Nature Preserve Shotgun Deer Hunting MAP
o
Main Complex Shotgun Deer Hunting MAP
Horseback Riding
Horse rentals are available on weekends in April and November and Wednesday
through Sunday from May through October on Route 71, a half-mile west of
Illinois Route 178. There are equestrian trails and an equestrian campground at
Matthiessen State Park.
Waterfall frozen in WinterWinter Activities
Cross-country skiing can be enjoyed at nearby Matthiessen State Park.
Cross-country ski rentals are available at Matthiessen Dells Area on weekends
December through March. Snowmobiling is not allowed anywhere at Starved Rock,
but is allowed at the I & M Canal one mile to the north in Utica.
Eagle viewing is a popular winter activity enjoyed by many. Two places to see
the eagles are the top of Starved Rock and the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center.
Picnicking
Developed picnic areas are available to the day visitor, with tables, drinking
water and restroom facilities. Eight shelters are available on a first-come,
first-served basis. Alcohol is prohibited January 1 through May 31 in the picnic
area. Alcohol is always prohibited on the trails.
Camping
The campground has 133 Class A-Premium campsites, 100 of them reservable,
complete with electricity, showers and flush toilets, a separate youth group
camping area and a children’s playground. Permits may be obtained from the park
office or at the permit booth in the campground area. Seven campsites are
accessible for people with disabilities. Reservations are accepted by mail only,
please use the form below. Alcohol is prohibited in the campground. NEW - There
is a new camp store open in the campground this year. The store will sell fire
wood, ice, soda, and other camping supplies.
Campground reservation form | Campsite Availability | Camp MAP | Youth Camp
Application
Trail Safety
 The Starved Rock
Trail Safety Program is a volunteer, non-profit, non-funded first response
medical unit. They operate in conjunction with the Illinois Department of
Natural Resources and Starved Rock State Park. For further information, or if
you would like to join the team, click here.
Directions
I-39 southbound: South to I-80 east (exit #59). Go 2 miles to exit #81 (Rt. 178,
Utica). Go south (right) 3 miles on Rt. 178 and follow the signs into the Park.
I-39 northbound: North to Exit #48 (Tonica exit). Go east (right) for
approximately 5 miles to the T-intersection, which is Rt. 178. Go north (left)
for approximately 5 miles and follow the signs into the Park.
I-80 Eastbound and Westbound: Get off at exit #81 (Rt.178, Utica). Go south 3
miles on Rt. 178 and follow the signs into the Park.
From the Chicago area: Take I-294 or I-355 south to I-55. Take I-55 south to
I-80. Go west on I-80, 45 miles to Exit #81 (Rt. 178, Utica). Go south (left) 3
miles on Rt. 178 and follow the signs into the Park.
* While groups of 25 or more are welcome and encouraged to use the park's
facilities, they are required to register in advance with the site office to
avoid crowding or scheduling conflicts.
* At least one responsible adult must accompany each group of 15 minors.
* Pets must be kept on leashes at all times.
* Actions by nature can result in closed roads and other facilities. Please call
ahead to the park office before you make your trip.
* We hope you enjoy your stay. Remember, take only memories, leave only
footprints.
* For more information on tourism in Illinois, call the Illinois Department of
Commerce and Community Affairs' Bureau of Tourism at 1-800-2Connect.
* Telecommunication Device for Deaf and Hearing Impaired Natural Resources
Information (217) 782-9175 for TDD only Relay Number 800-526-0844.
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