The 'Grand Canyon Of The Midwest' Is An Underrated State Park With Cascading Waterfalls

Millions flock to Illinois annually to visit many of its famed sites, spending their days in places like Wrigley Field, Millennium Park, and one of Chicago's many famous and underrated deep-dish pizza joints. While all of these attractions are quite popular for a reason, one lesser-known area that sits just about two hours outside of Chicago awaits the opportunity to wow visitors with its natural splendor. Starved Rock State Park offers 13 miles of wide-open trails ripe for exploration. It's often referred to as the "Grand Canyon of the Midwest" because of its 18 deep canyons. Majestic waterfalls cascade into clear blue pools below (and turn into ice falls during the wintertime), nature trails wind their way past diverse flora and fauna, and bald eagles soar overhead.

Derived from an 18th-century Native American legend, the name Starved Rock conjures the complex history of the state park. According to local lore, a group of Illiniwek warriors climbed the 125-foot sandstone butte to escape an attack, but were surrounded by enemies. Unable to get down, they ultimately met their demise and starved to death atop the rock. While this story is not backed by any historical evidence, its impact is undeniable, and in 1960, Starved Rock was designated a National Historic Landmark. With its fascinating blend of natural beauty, rich history, and abundant recreational opportunities, this stunning midwestern State Park offers visitors a wide range of unforgettable experiences.

Any visit to Starved Rock State Park would be incomplete without exploring one of its gorgeous trails, each winding its way through different parts of the park's natural landscape. Routes range from easy to moderate, and many of the trails intersect. Start your visit with one of the more popular hikes, French Canyon. Located near the visitors center, this moderate 2.5-mile round-trip journey takes hikers to gorgeous sandstone canyons. The 2-mile round-trip Saint Louis Cannyon Trail also features a canyon, a stunning waterfall, and passes through a pine forest.

To see the park's deepest canyon, a beautiful overlook, and its tallest waterfall (measuring 125 feet), check out the trail known as Pontiac Canyon, Wildcat Canyon, and Beehive Overlook. This 2-mile loop offers beautiful views of the valleys, sandstone cliffs, and allows visitors to get up close and personal with a gorgeous waterfall, which is also a sight to behold in the wintertime when it freezes over. For an easy, relatively hike (at less than a mile), the Ottawa Canyon trail takes just 20 minutes to complete.

A visit to the park in spring or early summer offers visitors the best chance to see the waterfalls flowing, while the fall foliage transforms the park into a stunning array of gold, crimson, and amber. In January, the park hosts its annual Eagle Watch weekend, where visitors can enjoy some of the best winter eagle watching opportunities in the Midwest. During the event, there are educational programs, live eagle demonstrations, and guided viewing opportunities.

Now, on to every outdoor adventurer's favorite question: How can you possibly see all that this park has to offer in just one day? Well, to answer it simply, you probably can't — but the good news is that there are ample accommodations to fit everyone's needs and allow for more time to explore the park and its offerings. The first option is the Starved Rock Campgrounds with over 100 powered sites. The maximum capacity per site is four people, along with one RV, one tent, and one vehicle, or two tents and two vehicles. Reservations are required and can be made up to six months in advance. The website recommends booking well ahead of time for campsites on weekends between May and October, as these dates fill up quickly. 

If sleeping in a bed is more your speed, Starved Rock Lodge may be the perfect option for you. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, it offers cozy cabins, hotel rooms, a restaurant, and an indoor pool. Looking for a guided tour? The lodge also offers a three-hour guided excursion from April to May that features canyons, three different waterfalls, and lunch at their lodge. For those who are not interested in hiking but would like to learn more about the area, the lodge also offers a 90-minute historic trolley tour that takes visitors through the Lock and Dam, down to historic downtown Utica, and the Starved Rock Visitor Center. No matter whether or not your ideal vacation is lounging in the lodge, exploring caverns and waterfalls, spotting eagles, or simply taking a relaxing trolley ride, Starved Rock State Park's got you covered.