Millions flock to Illinois annually to visit many of its famed sites, spending their days in places like Wrigley Field, Millennium Park, and one of Chicago’s many famous and underrated deep-dish pizza joints. While all of these attractions are quite popular for a reason, one lesser-known area that sits just about two hours outside of Chicago awaits the opportunity to wow visitors with its natural splendor. Starved Rock State Park offers 13 miles of wide-open trails ripe for exploration. It’s often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the Midwest” because of its 18 deep canyons. Majestic waterfalls cascade into clear blue pools below (and turn into ice falls during the wintertime), nature trails wind their way past diverse flora and fauna, and bald eagles soar overhead.
Derived from an 18th-century Native American legend, the name Starved Rock conjures the complex history of the state park. According to local lore, a group of Illiniwek warriors climbed the 125-foot sandstone butte to escape an attack, but were surrounded by enemies. Unable to get down, they ultimately met their demise and starved to death atop the rock. While this story is not backed by any historical evidence, its impact is undeniable, and in 1960, Starved Rock was designated a National Historic Landmark. With its fascinating blend of natural beauty, rich history, and abundant recreational opportunities, this stunning midwestern State Park offers visitors a wide range of unforgettable experiences.
Explore canyons, waterfalls, and see eagles soar overhead
Any visit to Starved Rock State Park would be incomplete without exploring one of its gorgeous trails, each winding its way through different parts of the park’s natural landscape. Routes range from easy to moderate, and many of the trails intersect. Start your visit with one of the more popular hikes, French Canyon. Located near the visitors center, this moderate 2.5-mile round-trip journey takes hikers to gorgeous sandstone canyons. The 2-mile round-trip Saint Louis Cannyon Trail also features a canyon, a stunning waterfall, and passes through a pine forest.
To see the park’s deepest canyon, a beautiful overlook, and its tallest waterfall (measuring 125 feet), check out the trail known as Pontiac Canyon, Wildcat Canyon, and Beehive Overlook. This 2-mile loop offers beautiful views of the valleys, sandstone cliffs, and allows visitors to get up close and personal with a gorgeous waterfall, which is also a sight to behold in the wintertime when it freezes over. For an easy, relatively hike (at less than a mile), the Ottawa Canyon trail takes just 20 minutes to complete.
A visit to the park in spring or early summer offers visitors the best chance to see the waterfalls flowing, while the fall foliage transforms the park into a stunning array of gold, crimson, and amber. In January, the park hosts its annual Eagle Watch weekend, where visitors can enjoy some of the best winter eagle watching opportunities in the Midwest. During the event, there are educational programs, live eagle demonstrations, and guided viewing opportunities.
Spend a night in the wilderness
