What exactly to you find so great about Starved Rock State Park? (Chicago: weddings, buy)

[Evlevo]

I'm not trying to flame here, but I saw it listed several times on a "favorites" list.

I lived in Chi-Town for just over a year, and a big reason that I left was the lack of good outdoor stuff. To me starved rock seemed like a joke, no real trails anywhere and not much to do (but then again I like to backpack the mountains of Yosemite & the Olympics) Chain-o-lakes was pretty good (but distant), and was better for short-range mountain biking.

I'm pretty sure it was just not a good fit for me (that's why I moved), but I am still a bit curious.

[jwhittak]

Most of this state is flat. That is why we love starved rock!

[prairiestate]

That's a pretty good repsonse. It's quite a bit more scenic than a cornfield, and it's fairly close to Chicago. The inter-mountain west is a bit far for a day hike. I mean, are you seriously trying to compare Starved Rock with Yosemite? Ever hear the phrase, apples and oranges? Starved Rock may not even be as scenic or spacious as Southern Illinois, but it's certainly the most attractive spot in the area (North/Northeast Illinois).

[Steve-o]

Last I checked there was over 10 miles of trails, which is pretty nice considering its a small-ish park. The canyons are beautiful, particularly in fall. There are waterfalls, the river, bluffs, canyons, trails, wildlife. There are nice lodges as well. I enjoy the park for what it is, but enjoy it's neighbor (Matthiesson State Park) even more.

Of course its not a National Park like Yosemite, but seeing that its smack dab in the middle of a glacial drift zone, I think the scenery is beautiful compared to the rest of the area. Yeah its not as nice as the Pine Hills in southern IL or the Galena driftless zone, but for what its worth its a beautiful park.

[Drover]

What's so great about Starved Rock?

Well, it's not:

a) flat;
b) paved; or
c) mowed down, plowed under and planted with corn.

In Illinois, that makes it a unique patch of Earth.

[doll lady]

And if you need a leather jacket to keep you warm for that mountain biking..... in Utica, the neighboring town, you can buy one at Stonehead.....the ultimate Hippie store.....famous for Grateful Dead memorabilia.....and you will swear that the owner just stepped out from a concert. LOL

Plus Utica has some other nice souvenir shops and good places to eat...and Ottawa and Streator are just up the road. Yay for Harley Davidson stores.

My son-in-law is an international marathon biker and HE LOVES THE AREA.....he does a lot of backpacking and training on the trails at Starved Rock!

[Scribbler]

-Bald eagle wintering grounds on Plum Island, complete with eagle viewing outings in the winter, for the conservation/nature-minded.

-Historical significance with Voyageurs, Indian conflicts.

-The New Deal-era Lodge overlooking the dells of the park, which was built in the 30s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, along with many other park amenities...neat facility usually booked years in advance for beautiful autumn weddings.

-Breathtakingly beautiful canyons and waterfalls and gorges, particularly in the fall, but year-round, really.

-Army Corps of Engineers has an informative museum established at the Lock and Dam site, regarding the lock and dam system on the whole river

-The creepy hard boiled vibe of the Starved Rock murders, where three Chicago socialites were slain in an isolated canyon in 1960, ostensibly by a dishwasher at the lodge.

It doesn't have the size of a national park, obviously...it's only a collection of forested bluffs in a river valley in a region that is otherwise prairie and cropland. But it's certainly not a joke, it's actually a lovely and very popular park with a great deal of history.

[gardener34]

There are lots of trails - just not interconnected. Some you are better off accessing from separate parking lots which can be difficult to locate and park at. I like mathiessen state park down the road also - that is very cool. And the lodge is beautiful - with a good restaurant there.
Bald eagle watching is nice. And the waterfalls are cool - the icefalls in the winter are cool.
Very pretty in the fall and springtimes.
And it is within driving distance of chicago. Which is why we gave up camping at the park there years ago. Their park is too small for the crowd of people that want to come there to camp every weekend.

[Steve-o]

I agree (again). There are numerous trails that lead all over the park, some of them are downright dangerous! Im talkin a 16" wide path, on a steep grade, next to a 100ft deep canyon.

[gardener34]

I recommend a walking stick or pole - you will use it.