We Opened Our First Store: Meet Hike + Camp
- starvedrockhikers
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
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 downtown Utica. More than 250 people joined us for the grand opening and ribbon cutting, filling the store, gathering around the outdoor fireplaces, roasting s’mores, and helping us celebrate a milestone we will not soon forget.
In only about five weeks, an idea became a real place. Through a whirlwind of planning, designing, building, sourcing, and plenty of late nights, we worked to bring the great outdoors indoors.
Meet Hike + Camp
Hike + Camp was created through a collaboration between Starved Rock Hikers and Camp Aramoni and founded by Stephanie Bias, Kyle Petersen, and Matthew Klein.
The idea behind it is simple: the outdoor lifestyle should not end when the hike does. Inside, visitors will find trail-ready gear, camping essentials, outdoor apparel, curated provisions, gifts, locally made goods, and resources for exploring the parks. It is designed to be a starting point before an adventure, a stop after the trail, and a place to take a small piece of Starved Rock Country home.
The grand opening brought together community members, Village of North Utica officials, the Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce, Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce, Camp Aramoni, the Starved Rock Foundation, Heritage Corridor Destinations, local news organizations, and visitors from throughout Illinois.
Most importantly, it brought together many of the people who have followed and supported Starved Rock Hikers over the years.
Created for Visitors, By Locals
Although Hike + Camp welcomes travelers, hikers, campers, and park visitors, the store is deeply rooted in the Illinois Valley. Much of what visitors see inside was designed, made, and printed by artists, makers, and businesses from the surrounding region.
Patrick Sauber of Ottawa-based Primer created many of the hand-drawn icons used throughout the store from photographs taken in the parks. His illustrations appear on hats, shirts, wooden magnets, coasters, and other goods.
Kathryn Ewers of Primary Market in Ottawa produces the wooden magnets and coasters, while Blake Shofner of Mullet Bros in Princeton prints the apparel.
Our collection of vintage-inspired park posters was designed here in Starved Rock Country and printed just a few miles away at MCS Advertising in Peru.
Many of the artists, makers, photographers, designers, and collaborators who helped us bring the store to life were also there to celebrate the opening.
Gear, Gather, and Get Outside
Hike + Camp carries hiking gear, camping supplies, apparel, books, maps, gifts, trail snacks, cold drinks, Camp Aramoni provisions, locally made products, and other goods selected for weekends outside.
One of our favorite parts of the store is the interactive trailhead. Created by Mike Brown of Rustic Industrial in Mendota, the custom wooden structure gives visitors a place to explore trail information, park maps, local recommendations, upcoming events, and more about Camp Aramoni.
It is another way for us to continue what Starved Rock Hikers has always set out to do: help people make more of their time in the parks and throughout Starved Rock Country.
Outside, visitors can gather around the fireplaces, roast s’mores, and enjoy a little of the camping experience right in downtown Utica.
Giving Back to the Parks
The parks are the reason Starved Rock Hikers exists, and giving back to them has always been an important part of what we do.
During the grand opening, we announced that 1% of Hike + Camp’s net proceeds will be donated to the parks through the Starved Rock Foundation, the official nonprofit partner of Starved Rock State Park.
Hike + Camp is the first local business to become a Trailblazer through this type of ongoing commitment to the Foundation.
Every visit to the store will help support the places that inspired it.
The Trail Ahead
The grand opening was only the start. Hike + Camp will host pop-ups, collaborations, and special events designed to bring together visitors, local businesses, makers, and the outdoor community.
Our first event will take place with Heritage Corridor Destinations on July 10 at 5 p.m., with more announcements coming soon.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us on opening day, helped bring the idea to life, or has supported Starved Rock Hikers throughout the years. We hope you will stop in before or after your next adventure and experience the great indoors, inspired by the great outdoors.
Visit Hike + Camp
107 Mill Street, Downtown Utica
Monday: Noon-5 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Hike + Camp is located just minutes from Starved Rock State Park..
