Starved Rock State Park, Illinois 

Visitors to Starved Rock sometimes miss the grisly undertones behind the beautiful park’s name. 

At the top of the bluff, a breathtaking view of the Illinois River and Lover’s Leap – an adjacent bluff – welcome all who make the trek.

But the stunning location would prove all too deadly for the Illiniwek tribe.

According to legend, an Illiniwek warrior slew the chief of the Ottawa tribe. In revenge, the Ottawa tribe, along with their allies, the Potawatomi, attacked the Illiniwek. The Illiniwek sought protection atop the 125-foot bluff, and the Ottawa and Potawatomi surrounded it until their helpless enemies died of starvation – hence the park’s name, Starved Rock.

The park’s prime location in north central Illinois allows easy access from many major cities. Tom Levy, site superintendent, said the park draws more than two million visitors each year.

At the visitor center, park staff is present to answer any questions. Diagrams, models and fossils tell the story of the region. Mammoths’ teeth, birds’ nests, stuffed wildlife and more allow visitors year-round access to the park’s bounty. 

During the summer, some of the most popular activities include boating, camping – 133 sites, all with electricity – fishing, horseback riding and hiking. Visitors come because of the natural beauty of the park and the amazing rock formations, Levy said.

Starved Rock has 13 miles of hiking trails that wind and weave their way to the scenic canyons within the park. Fourteen of the 18 canyons become spectacular waterfalls during the spring months or after heavy rains in the summer.

As one steps beyond the parking lot, the crunch of gravel gives way to the sound of snapping twigs and leaves. The forest’s serenity softens the prospect of a two-mile hike to the canyon waterfall.

The trail leads through trees, past small canyons, down steep terrain and along the river to the final destination of LaSalle Canyon. Even if visitors can’t make it all the way to the canyon, the trails themselves provide spectacular views.

Finally finding the waterfall proves that the two-mile hike is well worth the sweat, scrapes and bug bites.

A substantial amount of rain in August 2006 caused an impressive waterfall, and two little girls were having their own fun. They had a natural water slide as the water ran from the top of a 20-foot bluff down onto a platform of sandstone and into the river. The water was freezing, and the girls were shivering, but their giggles hid the sound of their chattering teeth. They knew to stay on the rocks, though, because they didn’t want to get bitten by the man-eating fish their moms had assured them were in the water.

Although many people visit Starved Rock during the summer months, Levy suggests visiting the park year-round.

“There is something going on here every season of the year,” he said. “Waterfalls and wildflowers in the spring, everything in the summer, the park is a great place to see the fall colors and eagle viewing in the winter.”

Seven days a week, weather permitting, Joe Bishop, co-owner of Starved Rock Adventures Inc., offers numerous types of boat rides. Visitors have the option of the narrated cruise on the Belle of the Rock, canoes, air boats, fishing boats, wave runners, pontoons and speedboats. Visitors can also take houseboat vacations or stay at an intimate waterfront cabin for as long as a week.

Bishop said he enjoyed the park’s beauty and knew that others would continue to enjoy it because there are so many wonderful things about the park.

“It’s great for tourists and families,” he said. “But the really great thing is that you can come to the park and not spend any money because the whole park is free.”