Things to Do

Every Winter, hundreds of experienced climbers flock to Starved Rock State Park to spend a day scaling enormous frozen waterfalls with little more than an anchor line, an ice axe and a helmet. Join Shaw Media Photographer Scott Anderson as he takes you on a photo tour of this pas…

As dusk falls, come out and hear about the ghostly tales of the I&M Canal on the haunted boat tour this weekend from October 25-27. This Halloween adventure is filled with legends, mystery and horror. Let their talented tour guides divulge the many secrets, spirits, and scandals …

Since 2017, Balanced Spirit Wellness Center has been offering rejuvenating massages, transformative Reiki sessions and deeply relaxing Himalayan salt cave experiences to visitors and locals alike in Starved Rock Country.

As snow beings to melt and refreeze, spectacular ice falls form in the canyons of Starved Rock State Park! Join Shaw Media photographer Scott Anderson, as he takes you on a guided tour of several of these beautiful frozen falls.

Crack open your carabiners, experienced climbers are permitted to scale three famous falls inside Starved Rock State Park! As snow beings to melt and refreeze, this trio of popular Winter photo-ops will transform into a must-visit destination for avid climbers across the Midwest.…

Every winter, a small stretch of the Illinois River, between Starved Rock State Park and the Illinois Waterways Visitors Center, becomes a temporary condominium for a convocation of eagles.

Leave your skis and poles at home! Matthiessen State Park offers a hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts visiting Starved Rock Country, reasonably priced rentals for cross country skiing supplies, right inside the park.The rental cabin is located near the shelter and fort at the Par…

Join Shaw Media photographer Scott Anderson on a hike at the scenic Starved Rock State Park, and local hidden gems like the Hennepin Canal and Dixon Waterfowl Refuge!

As museums and restaurants begin to reopen, we will highlight some of the best socially distant winter road trip destinations in the Starved Rock Country region. Today, we'll be catching up with La Salle's famed Hegeler Carus Mansion, a jaw-dropping estate that just reopened for …

Looking for a socially distant day trip? Come admire the beautiful Winter scenery in Starved Rock Country! Join Shaw Media photographer Scott Anderson on a photo tour of just a few of the jaw-dropping seasonal sights you'll spot along your drive.

Free Spirit Siberian Rescue will return to Starved Rock State Park on Jan. 17 for the first in a pair of free, socially distant, sled dog demonstrations.Best of all, the event isn't dependent on snow. Huskies train during the snowless seasons by pulling specially made trikes that…