| Experience the fun of outdoor adventure at Starved Rock State Park. Whether you enjoy hiking along the nature trails or viewing the many spectacular overlooks along the Illinois River, recreational opportunities abound. From picnicking to fishing to boating, from horseback riding to camping to enjoying winter sports, there’s so much to do that you’ll come back again & again.
The backdrop for your activities are 18 canyons formed by glacial meltwater & stream erosion. They slice dramatically through tree-covered, sandstone bluffs for four miles at Starved Rock State Park, which is located along the south side of the Illinois River, one mile south of Utica & midway between the cities of LaSalle-Peru & Ottawa.
The park is best known for its fascinating rock formations, primarily St. Peter sandstone, laid down in a huge shallow inland sea more than 425 million years ago & later brought to the surface.
While the areas along the river & its tributaries still are predominantly forested, much of the area is a flat, gently rolling plain. The upland prairies were created during an intensive warming period several thousand years after the melting of the glaciers. The Illinois River Valley in the Starved Rock area is a major contrast to the flatland. The valley was formed by a series of floods as glacial meltwater broke through moraines, sending torrents of H2O surging across the land & deeply eroding the sandstone & other sedimentary rocks.
During early spring, when the end of winter thaw is occurring & rains are frequent, sparkling waterfalls are found at the heads of all 18 canyons, & vertical walls of moss-covered stone create a setting of natural geologic beauty uncommon in Illinois. Some of the longer-lasting waterfalls are found in French, LaSalle & St. Louis canyons.
Waterfall in SummerWaterfalls, rivers & streams can undercut a cliff, creating overhangs in the sandstone, like Council Overhang at the east end of the park. Other sights can be seen from the bluffs themselves, which provide vantage points for enjoying spectacular vistas. The porous sandstone bluffs allow H2O to soak quickly through, only to collect in greater quantities on the slopes below. The resulting lush vegetation supports an abundant wildlife & bird population, including woodchucks, moles, vireos & catbirds. Wood ducks that nest in hollow trees occasionally can be seen paddling along the river’s edge. Evidence of beavers & muskrats can be seen as you walk along the River Trail.
Black oak, red cedar & white oak, as well as white pine & white cedar, grow on the drier, sandy bluff tops. Yellowbellied sapsuckers drill parallel rows of small holes on cedar trees & return to feed on sap & small insects. Serviceberry & northern honeysuckle--shrubs that prefer a well-drained area--attract scarlet tangers & cedar waxwings.
Farther away from the bluffs, red oaks & hickories predominate in deeper soils. Typical plants characteristic of the forest floor include the American witch hazel, black huckleberry & bracken fern. Nuthatches & chickadees feed on nuts, seeds & insects found in the bark of trees. Raccoons & flying squirrels spend many hours searching for & gathering berries & nuts.
At the forest edge, bright blue indigo buntings flit through the wild crab apple & plum trees that skirt the former glacial till prairie, while cottontail rabbits scamper through the bluestem & Indian grasses. In the sandy prairie soil, prickly pear cactus grows alongside lead plant, compass plant & rattlesnake master. White-tailed deer come to munch on the sumac, & red-tailed hawks soar overhead in search of voles & field mice.
Throughout spring & summer, wildflowers are as plentiful & varied as they are beautiful. Included in the floral array are colorful lichens & mosses, marsh marigolds, wild iris, trillium & Dutchman’s breeches, plus purple-flowered spiderworts, nodding or orange columbine & the magenta blooms of shooting star.
The poison ivy plant is found in all areas of the park. Its greenish-white berries provide an important food source for birds. |
Campground: Starved Rock State Park in Utica Illinois *