Starved Rock State Park

I grew up only ten minutes from this state park and it is one of my favorite in the midwest. There are plenty of great hiking trails throughout but the best time of the year to go is to brave the cold and go in the middle of winter when the waterfalls are frozen. I have taken some great pictures there as well. My sister still works there in the lodge and I go back everytime I visit home!

This is in my own home state, and I can’t afford to go and visit now. Too far, and not enough time available given I’ve got kids and wife and house.
“Nestled within the 2,630 acres of thick forests, 18 lush canyons and sparkling waterfalls of Starved Rock State Park, the 1930’s era stone-and-log Lodge is situated atop a wooded bluff overlooking the picturesque Illinois River. Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center is the only lodging facility actually located on the Starved Rock State Park grounds.”

http://www.starvedrocklodge.com/

On April 4th there’ll be this event there. There was the same today but well, I missed it. Anybody else manage to attend?

History of Native Americans—the Sauk, Fox, Shawnee? Potawatamie? Kickapoo?—in Illinois
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with The Starved Rock Educational Foundation is pleased to present Dr. Michael Wiant, Director of Dickson Mounds Museum in Lewistown, Illinois. The history of Native Americans in Illinois spans from 12,000 years ago up into the 19th century. Discover how their cultures changed over the years. Presentation at the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center. Call 815-667-5356 for more information

F.S. Allen for the Chicago Tribune on the Canku Ota web site has posted a brief but compelling history here:

http://www.turtletrack.org/CO_FirstPerson/CO_04052003_StarvedRock.htm

I grew up in a small town minutes away from the park. As a child, my family and I would picnic and hike through the park. As a teenager, my friends and I would bring some smoke and get lost on the trails for hours on lazy summer afternoons.

In fall when the leaves change the rock glows with brilliant shades of red and orange. I always find it amusing to observe the tourists (that flock from Chicago) as they push their way down the over-crowed trails. Have you ever seen that episode of Family Guy? Hahaha.

Anywho, its a great place to visit. And while you’re there, stop and have Sunday brunch at the lodge. Unbelievable.

Beautiful. After driving so long into the middle of nowhere, you’re rewarded by curves and valleys and natural scenes that rival Appalachia. Six waterfalls lead to a large recreational lake. A lodge and cabins provide shelter. It’s fun in winter too: once I watched a group of ice climbers make their way up a frozen waterfall.

Who knew?

My dad and I used to go hiking every fall here. It’s the perfect place to check out the turning leaves. There are many canyons and waterfalls, although a few of the trails were sub-par last time I went. The lodge is very nice, but hard to book during the high season.

The history is pretty gruesome. During an ongoing dispute between tribes, the Illinois tribe climbed the rock and the Potawatomi and Fox tribes surrounded the base and starved them to death. More recently, in 1960 three women were murdered in Saint Louis canyon. Just bring snacks and your dad and you’ll be fine.