Starved Rock Parks and Outdoor Activities

Fall colors are at their peak in Starved Rock State Park! Horticulturalist Morgan Wilson gives insight into why this botanical marvel happens, and how long we can except to see these beautiful leaves.(Photos by Scott Anderson - Shaw Media)"The green in the leaf is called chloroph…

Starved Rock State Park made Governor JB Pritzker's list of the Top Five 'Exciting Places' To Go In Illinois! To celebrate, we've put together a list of our own, featuring five more exciting Fall activities you can do inside the park!1. Admire The Fall Colors 2. Explore The Canyo…

Just in time for Fall Colors to arrive at Starved Rock State Park, a major trail and convenient new parking lot have reopened to the public. Here's an inside look at the new developments!Looking for an even easier trip? The IDNR are offering FREE guided tours at Starved Rock ever…

Fall is officially here, and that means ghost tours are just around the corner! Starved Rock Country's past is packed with bone-chilling tales of terror and unexplained apparitions. Regardless of your belief in the supernatural, here are two great socially distant group tours tha…

Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center's Facebook fans voted for Marketing Director Kathy Casstevens to take a virtual hike to one of the park's most scenic attractions, St. Louis Canyon! Check out this virtual guided tour, where you'll pass Aurora Canyon, Sac Cayon, a beautifu…

We're pleased to announce that trails to more than 18 canyons and overlooks have recently been reopened at Starved Rock State Park! While clean-up from this month's derecho storm is still underway at the nearby Matthiessen State Park and select areas at Starved Rock, guests can o…

While the recent derecho storm may have temporarily closed the trails at Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks, there are plenty more socially distant Summertime adventures to be had in scenic Starved Rock Country! If you're still looking enjoy some quality time in nature, we'…

One of the most scenic drives in Starved Rock Country can be found on the long winding roads leading up to Starved Rock State Park. This drive is particularly beautiful around sunrise and sunset, plan an early morning trip to see it for yourself! Produced by in partnership with S…

Spring Valley was founded in 1884 in the heart of the coal fields of Northern Illinois primarily for the purpose of mining coal. By 1888, the booming town of Spring Valley already had over 3,000 people and was referred to as the “Magic City”. Produced in partnership with Starved …

There's no question the sunflowers at Matthiessen State Park have become a part of the Starved Rock experience. Visitors from across the state, including the Chicago and Peoria areas, wandered through the 60-acre sunflower field Monday.