Starved Rock Hikers Launches New Interactive Fall Colors Tracker
New online resource helps visitors follow changing fall colors, estimate peak conditions, and plan their fall adventures at Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks.
STARVED ROCK COUNTRY, IL — One of the most common questions we receive every fall is simple: When will the leaves reach their peak colors at Starved Rock?
This year, we built something new to help answer it.
Starved Rock Hikers is excited to announce the launch of its new Fall Colors Tracker, an interactive online resource designed to help visitors follow the progression of fall colors throughout Starved Rock Country and plan their visits around the changing season.
Available now at starvedrockhikers.com/fallcolorstracker, the tracker combines local observations, historical seasonal trends, and weather conditions to provide visitors with an updated picture of fall colors at Starved Rock and the surrounding region.
"Every fall, we hear from so many people trying to figure out the best weekend to visit. The challenge is that fall colors don't follow exact calendar dates, and conditions at Starved Rock can be different from what other reports suggest", stated Matthew Klein, Co-Founder of Starved Rock Hikers. "We wanted to create something that brings together what we've learned from years of hiking and photographing these parks with an interactive resource that's genuinely useful for visitors."
A Closer Look at Fall Colors
Unlike other fall color reports that cover large geographic regions, the Starved Rock Hikers Fall Colors Tracker focuses specifically on the Starved Rock area.
The interactive tool provides several features to help visitors follow the season:
Current Fall Color Conditions: Follow the progression of color around Starved Rock, from early changes to peak conditions and beyond.
Estimated Prime Peak: See when the most vibrant fall colors are expected, with estimates adjusted as the season progresses.
Illinois Fall Color Comparison: Explore how fall colors are developing throughout Illinois and how the Starved Rock area compares with other regions.
Play the Season: Watch an interactive progression of fall colors from September through November to better understand how the season unfolds.
The tracker will be updated throughout the fall season as conditions change.
More Than Just a Fall Colors Tracker
In addition to tracking fall colors, the new webpage serves as a resource for visitors preparing to explore Starved Rock Country during one of its most popular seasons.
A dedicated Frequently Asked Questions section provides answers to some of the most common questions about fall at Starved Rock, including when colors typically peak, how long peak conditions last, where to find the best views, and what visitors should expect when planning a trip.
Visitors can also explore related articles from Trail Talk, the Starved Rock Hikers blog, featuring fall hiking recommendations, suggested trails, photography locations, and other insights from locals who regularly explore these parks.
Together, these resources are designed to make planning a fall visit easier, whether someone is exploring Starved Rock for the first time or returning for another season.
Developed by Locals Who Know the Parks
Starved Rock Hikers has documented changing seasons throughout Starved Rock and Matthiessen for years, sharing photography, trail conditions, hiking recommendations, and park updates with visitors from across Illinois and beyond.
That local experience is an important part of the new tracker.
While fall colors are influenced by weather, tree species, and other environmental factors, historical observations from previous seasons provide valuable insight into when visitors can expect the best conditions.
Based on observations from 2019 through 2025, the final two weeks of October have generally offered some of the most vibrant fall colors around Starved Rock. However, conditions can vary considerably from year to year.
The tracker is intended to provide helpful estimates rather than guarantee an exact peak date.
Follow the Colors All Season Long
The new free and easy to utilize Fall Colors Tracker is part of Starved Rock Hikers' ongoing effort to provide accessible, locally informed resources that help people explore and appreciate Starved Rock, Matthiessen, and the surrounding parks.
Visitors are encouraged to check the tracker regularly throughout October and November as conditions develop.
Explore the new Fall Colors Tracker: https://www.starvedrockhikers.com/fallcolorstracker
View additional hiking information, trail closures, park events, and seasonal recommendations, visit the Starved Rock Hikers Park Dashboard.
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