Reviews

Shadow Stewart

Amazing views all around. Enjoyed seeing the bald eagles. The nature center was clean. It is pet friendly. There are alot if stairs so unfortunately no beehive lookout for me, but I did climb my share of stairs. First time for my husband and he really enjoyed the hike. We will be back when its warmer & hope to see a waterfall or two. Side note: check their site before traveling...they are closed on certain holidays. It is free to get in.

M Lewis

Skip the outlooks closer to the visitors center and go straight to the canyons! Those offer the best views and are less trafficked. The trails extend a long ways out and are partially paved. There are also a lot of stairs to climb if your choose to go to the overlook points. From what I can tell, there is no entrance fee, just a box for donations. Plenty of bathrooms in the visitors center as well as snacks and beverages. They don't offer paper maps, but there are plenty of maps throughout the park as well as a QR code for a digital map.

ray weithman

We usually stop at Starved Rock State Park and camp overnight when we are travelling West. We love the campgrounds as there is usually availability and the sites are nice and private in a wooded setting. This year we arrived early enough to check out more of the park and what amenities it offers. We stopped at the Visitors Center and were amazed at the turns out the park is considered one of the best state parks in Illinois. Famous for its rock formations including iconic bluffs, canyons, and river views, and has a lodge to stay at as well. The Visitor Center is a wonderful building near the river with a nature center, gift shop and restaurant. The park offers numerous hiking opportunities as well. We hope to return and try out some of the trails.

Sweet Sinay's Reviews

Starved Rock is a geologically impressive, historically significant and simple awe-inspiring park along the bend in the Illinois River. The Visitor Center is one of the best I have encountered in a state park, using wax figures to bring the history of this region to life. More a small museum than a mere visitor centre, this one gets full marks. The nature is astoundingly beautiful so it matches me perfectly 😁. The rock formations are formidable and we can climb up various one for even more inspiring views. The river walk trail gets us in touch with the Illinois River up close and personally. Be ready to spend the better part of a day here to absorb the history, geology and ecology of the park. Starved Sinay says: Visited in mid autumn and the fall colors were fabulous. That said, any season would be fantastic in its own way and winter is the best time to avoid crowds if that is a concern. One of the best state parks that I have visited in the US.

sureshmi s

Starved Rock State Park truly feels like a hidden gem in the Midwest. The moment you enter, you can feel the difference—tall trees, clean air, and peaceful nature all around. The hiking trails are the best part. Each one leads to something exciting: tall canyons, flowing waterfalls, and beautiful river views. My favorite spot was the overlook where you can see the Illinois River—it’s calm, wide, and picture-perfect. The park is big, but the trails are easy to follow. Some paths are simple and great for families, while others have stairs and cliffs that make the hike more adventurous. Visiting the canyons at Starved Rock during the dry season is a completely different experience, but still a beautiful one. Even though the waterfalls are not flowing now, the canyons themselves are worth the trip. Without water, you get to see the pure rock formations, the layers, and the shapes carved by nature over thousands of years. French Canyon is a favorite because of its narrow, smooth entrance that makes you feel like you’re walking through a natural stone tunnel. Wildcat Canyon , St. Louis Canyon are equally impressive, Overall, the canyons at Starved Rock are absolutely worth the trip. They are the heart of the park and make it one of the most beautiful nature destinations in Illinois. Highly recommended for anyone who loves hiking, waterfalls, or photography

Kaushik Mandal

Starved Rock State Park is a beautiful getaway with stunning canyons, scenic waterfalls, and great hiking trails. The views from the overlooks are breathtaking, especially in the fall when the colors are vibrant. It’s well-maintained, with clear trail markings and plenty of spots to rest or take photos. A perfect place for nature lovers and a great day trip from Chicago.

Sarah Weber

Great hike. You can go a little or a lot. We chose a lot. 12.22 miles. We didn't even see all of it. Fall colors were beautiful. Lots of stairs. By the visitor center there is paved walking or boardwalk. Lots of maps and very well marked. Morning is best if you want less crowds. Fall was beautiful for colors but waterfalls were dried up. Canyons are fantastic views.

Michelle Brown

Beautiful park with challenging hiking trials. There was a lot of stairs to reach high elevation points of the canons and cliffs. Be prepared to get your heart rate up. The fall hike was very picturesque as the foliage colors were very beautiful. A perfect time of year to visit.

Alex Antonijevic

Starved Rock has always been an amazing experience for me and my family. The campgrounds are great, and the visitor center is really nice, it has good food and easy access to the trails. The hiking paths are absolutely beautiful and make for a perfect escape from city life to enjoy fresh air, nature, and some incredible rock formations. Some areas feel like a glimpse into what the Earth looked like ages ago. I definitely recommend exploring beyond the main trails especially along the riverbanks and past French Canyon, for even more hidden rock formations and views.

Baramee Chindavong

Great place to spend the day. Lots of options for trails. More stairs than I expected but a nice little workout. The trails were all good, scenic. Different levels of difficulty. Next time...I've got to go when the waterfalls are flowing. Wasn't too crowded for a weekday.

Patrick Jackson

Went on a whim and ended up walking/hiking about 6 miles in a few hours. Plenty of beautiful nature and views. The waterfalls were a highlight. Just went you think you've gone far enough there is a sign for another place to see.

Jeannine Lacy

Not a bad location for the most part. We originally put directions in Google maps for Ottawa Canyon. It put us in the middle of the road. Not cool. We finally found a place that was a trail down to the lake with parking and area for seating and grilling. The trail is about a 10 minute hike downhill with steps. So, yes, you must co.e back up. Great views. There are portable restrooms. They were not clean when we got there. See videos and pics. Parking for about 40 cars max. Only 1 grill available.

Conor Cook

It’s a very beautiful place! We camped at the Youth Campground from Friday, April 25 until Sunday, April 27, 2025! We were training for our trip to New Mexico in June and the hiking trails here are beautiful to explore. I had so much fun during my stay here, my first time back in 8 years, and I hope there’s less gap between coming back again! (Written 5-5-25)

Grandpa Ricardo

Beautiful place! The landscape is gorgeous with lots of hiking trails and awesome views from the upper trails. And if you want to do the lower trails then you can see the canyons up close and explore the caves. Early spring is the best because it’s easier to admire the views through the trees that are just starting to bud. However, the grounds are covered with small pink and white flowers.

tiago santos

Great park to have lots of fun hiking and enjoy nature! Big parking lot, nice welcome center and very well maintained area. It has a gift shop (slightly expensive), restaurant and restrooms. They offer different hiking trails that you can pick, and have plenty of signs and color pins fixed in the trees so you know which way to follow. I don’t remember seeing a printed map that you can take with you, but you can download on your phone or just take a glimpse at the ones they have along the way. The environment is stunning, you will definitely feel close to nature and if lucky, see some wild life up close. Plan to stay all day long or at least four to five hours to truly enjoy the area. Definitely a very beautiful and relaxing experience.