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Recommended hikes, insider tips, park events, season updates, and more - straight from the trails.
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Seven Starved Rock Waterfalls Featured in New Hat Collection from Starved Rock Hikers
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
starvedrockhikers
Mar 183 min read


Starved Rock: A History Worth Knowing
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
starvedrockhikers
Feb 84 min read


Your Guide to Eagle Watch Weekend at Starved Rock | 2026 Plan Your Visit
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
starvedrockhikers
Jan 174 min read


Exploring Winter Wildlife in Central Illinois
Starved Rock State Park is a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. It's also perfect for observing wildlife in the winter!
starvedrockhikers
Jan 163 min read
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