Go outside, your mind and body will appreciate it! The days are getting longer, the sun is shining, and...

French Canyon is temporarily closed for trail improvements, but Starved Rock State Park is still open for spring hiking. Starting the week of March 23, 2026, a small section of trails around French Canyon will be closed through June while construction is underway. It can sound like a lot when you read the official updates, but the good news is simple. This is a limited area compared to the full trail system, and there are still plenty of great waterfalls, overlooks, and sceni

Springtime is the best time for seeing waterfalls in Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks. Snowmelt and increased rainfall help the...

Expanded leather patch collection introduces seven waterfalls and new hat styles. OTTAWA, IL  — After the strong response to its original true-to-life sketch hats, Starved Rock Hikers is expanding the collection with new styles, additional canyon designs, and fresh ways to represent Starved Rock State Park. Starved Rock State Park Hat Collection Since launching in 2021, the brand’s leather patch hats have featured authentic sketches created from real photographs captured insi

Everything you need for mud season; spring trail conditions, what to wear, how to protect the trails, and where to check current updates. Spring at Starved Rock doesn’t start with sunshine. It starts with thaw. March into early April is mud season : frozen ground softens, snowmelt runs off the bluffs, and rainfall becomes more frequent. Waterfalls start flowing again, the first greenery appears, and the trails can go from “totally fine” to “how is my boot still on?” in a sing

On any given weekend, Starved Rock State Park is full of life. Hikers line the trails, cameras point toward canyon walls, and voices echo through the trees. It is hard to imagine that this same landscape once stood largely untouched, with no paths to follow and no signs pointing the way. Long before it became a state park, Starved Rock was a place of movement, shelter, and strategic importance, shaped by glaciers, water, and thousands of years of human presence. Vintage Star

Witness majestic eagles soaring high in the sky in one of the most unforgettable winter experiences in Illinois. Each winter, nature lovers, photographers, families, and outdoor enthusiasts gather at Starved Rock State Park for one of the most anticipated events of the season: Eagle Watch Weekend. This year, the tradition continues on Saturday, January 24 and Sunday, January 25, 2026 , with two full days of education, exploration, and awe across multiple locations throughout

Starved Rock State Park is a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. It's also perfect for observing wildlife in the winter!

Snow is falling, and you’re excited to take a roadtrip to Starved Rock State Park to experience the beauty of winter. But time is limited...

Together, we reached new milestones. We welcomed thousands of new members, introduced tools that helped visitors in every season, and gave back in meaningful ways. But most of all, we proved that the best way to care for these parks is by sharing them. Here are just a few of the moments that made 2025 unforgettable:

Recommendations to enhance your Winter hiking experience!

Non-slip shoes do not provide enough traction when on the icy trails. Adding extra traction to your boots with Yaktrax, Microspikes, or ...

Discover exciting Starved Rock events in 2026! From hikes to art shows, explore nature's beauty. Don't miss out on these Starved Rock events

It’s no secret that Starved Rock State Park receives millions of visitors every year. School is out, temperatures are rising...

Sunflowers are back at Matthiessen State Park, IL. Here's all the details you need to make your next trip to the sunflowers a success...

At Starved Rock Hikers, we’ve always believed the park has more to offer than what’s seen from the trails. And now, for the first time...

Whether you’re here for a quick photo op or a full-day adventure, here’s how to find the best spot for your plans.

Flowers are never more beautiful than in the spring season, so be on the lookout for blooming petals and bright colors! As you walk...

Earth Day is April 22, 2025, and the global theme this year is "Our Power, Our Planet". his theme focuses on the crucial role of renewable energy…

Waterfalls are flowing, flowers are starting to bloom, greenery is appearing, and rainfall is occurring more often. This leads to muddy...