Do you enjoy hiking trails in deep woodlands and viewing panoramic scenes high above the Illinois River from sandstone bluffs, watching and listening to birds singing in natural settings, viewing eagles swooping to catch fish or just sitting by the campfire in peace and solitude? Then there is something for you at Starved Rock State Park near Utica, Illinois.

This park is a wonderful gift from Mother Nature, surprising us with deep canyons cutting through the flat, fertile prairie. Each spring, after the winter thaw and spring rains, sparkling waterfalls can be found flowing at the heads of the 18 canyons. Glaciers moving through the area and stream erosion formed the four miles of rugged terrain that hug the south side of the Illinois River.

Missions and Forts
The area is rich in history with tales of Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet's early explorations the region. Pere, or Father, Marquette established the first Christian mission in Illinois on the river two miles from the park. The French established Fort Saint Louis des Illinois on the bluff from 1682-1691. The French later abandoned the fort during the French and Indian wars. Fort St. Louis was once a well-established home to trappers and traders, but by 1720 nothing was left of the fort.
The bluff became known as Starved Rock when the Illiniwek, or Illini tribe of Kaskaskia Indians, were stranded on top of the rock in 1760, surrounded by the Potawatami Indians. The tribes had been battling each other since the murder of the Illini Chief Pontiac.

The Illiniwek climbed the 125-foot-high sandstone bluff looking for safety, but instead the rock became a fatal trap when their enemies surrounded them. Their proud tradition would not allow them to surrender to their hated adversaries, so the Illini chose to stay on the rock and starve to death.

Woodland Spirits
When hiking through the trails, the woodlands seem to be filled with the spirits of the Native Americans who have made their home in this land. The Illiniwek lived here from the 1500s to 1700s. A village of 5,000 to 7,000 Kaskaskia Indians was located along the bank of the river across from the site of the state park.

Take a Hike
There are currently 13 miles of clearly marked hiking trails at Starved Rock State Park and another five miles at nearby Matthiessen State Park. The trails are open all year. Hikers are urged to stay on the clearly marked trails.

Every season offers a hiking treat for the nature lover. Matthiessen State Park boasts beautiful cross-country ski trails. One of the more unusual winter sports is ice climbing at Starved Rock when the colder temperatures turn the park into a winter wonderland. The Winter Wilderness Weekend, Eagle Watch Weekend in January and Cross-Country Ski Weekend in February are great opportunities to enjoy these cold-weather sports and to see the parks wearing their winter cloaks.

Seasonal Color
Abundant spring wildflowers draw many of the 1.6 million yearly visitors here, as well as breathtaking fall colors in October. Black oak, red cedar, white oak and pines grow on the dry sandy bluff tops while farther from the bluffs are red oaks and hickories. Black willow, cottonwood and ash also contribute to this lush woodland. American witch hazel, black huckleberry and bracken fern grace the forest floor. All of these make excellent cover for the wildlife such as deer, woodchucks and rabbits. A variety of birds: Nuthatches, chickadees, yellowbellied sapsuckers, scarlet tanagers and cedar waxwings also make their homes in the woods.

Visitor Center
A new $4 million visitor center opened in October 2002, dedicated to educating generations of visitors in the area's history, geology and ecology. The rangers are helpful, offering suggestions for viewing the canyons and waterfalls, choosing hiking trails to fit your needs and guiding you on informational walks on weekends during the summer season.

The hub of the park is the Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center that is situated on a bluff overlooking the Illinois River. The stone and log lodge transports the visitor back to the early 1930s when the lodge was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The view from the spacious lodge deck is awe-inspiring.

The 13-foot-high ceilings in the Great Hall, the double stone fireplace, rustic furnishings, limestone floors and touches of Indian designs in furniture and rugs combine to offer a setting for relaxation and conversation in the spacious room. The 200-seat dining room offers large windows for viewing the wooded vistas and serves delicious full-course meals seven days a week. Adjacent to the Great Hall is a gift shop and in the new wing, there is a café serving sandwiches and snacks. The historic lodge celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2004.

"There is something for everybody here at the park," says Tammy Barry, vice president of marketing and business development. "Visitors can enjoy the quiet and remote atmosphere or join in the many and varied activities."

Hide & Seek
One of the old-fashioned activities at the Lodge is letter-boxing. A letterbox is hidden in the Lodge. Visitors read the clues passed out at the desk in the lobby in order to find the hidden box. When found, they date and stamp the journal discovered in the box with their personal stamp leaving their mark in history. Barry said that when hiding one of the boxes, they discovered another letter box that had been hidden in the Lodge many years before.

More of the varied activities include fishing in remote Matthiessen Lake and in the Illinois River for catfish, bullhead, white bass, sauger, walleye and crappie, rides on the Belle of the Rock boat excursion, rental of canoes, pontoon boats and paddle boats, white water rafting, horseback riding, biking, sky diving and touring the historic area on Rocky, the Starved Rock trolley.

Historical Venues
In the immediate area are museums and information about the Illinois and Michigan Canal, Abraham Lincoln's presence in the area-including the site of the first debate with Stephen Douglas in Ottawa, Ill.-historic mansions, the W.D.Boyce Memorial to the founder of Boy Scouts of America and the Scouting museum are more of the interesting sights to see and enjoy.

Campers will enjoy the opportunity to set up camp year 'round in a natural setting at Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks. An equestrian campground is located at Matthiessen along Illinois Route 178. The camp sites at Starved Rock are wooded and vary in size, but each has a gravel parking area, picnic table and metal burn grill where only wood fires are allowed.

Starved Rock has 133 sites with electricity. Water spigots are located throughout the property and are easily accessible. Sites 1-58 are on a first-come, first-served basis, but sites 59-133 may be reserved from May 1-October 31. There is also a separate youth group camping area and a children's playground. No alcohol is allowed in the campgrounds. There is no fee to enter the Illinois State Parks, but note that there is a $5 non-refundable reservation fee. The campgrounds are maintained "to provide camping in a natural setting as part of the outdoor recreational experience."

The many possibilities for fun and adventure will keep you returning to experience each season of natural beauty along the Illinois River.