Starved Rock Hikers has a new home in Starved Rock Country. Meet Hike + Camp, our first store and a new basecamp for everyone who loves spending time outdoors. For years, Starved Rock Hikers has helped people discover the trails, waterfalls, overlooks, and experiences that make this area so special. Now, for the first time, we have a physical place where that experience can continue before and after the hike. On June 12, 2026, we officially opened the doors to Hike + Camp in

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...

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