starved rock state park

一个州立公园，秋天的景色很美，很适合徒步，周末开车过去，在公园里露营或者住小木屋都是不错的选择。吃饭也很方便，公园里就有餐厅，自助、单点都可以，味道一般，毕竟美餐和地道中餐不在一个水平线上。

I have been going to Starved Rock Lodge since I was a little girl. It's changed a little over the years, but it still maintains that lodge feeling. It's a historic place constructed in the 30s with dark wood and a huge stone fireplace. And it really burns wood. The only drawbacks to this place is the lack of light sometimes if you want to do a lot of book reading and also the tired-ish linens. But overall I still love it.

Even in the winter this park is beautiful, love seeing how different is looks in all the seasons. The frozen ice falls are amazing and seeing inside all the little caves, in the summer it is usually too much water and muddy to get in the caves.

We had a nice 4 mile hike on melting snow the first weekend of March. Saw a group of ice climbers going up the 70 foot waterfall in Wildcat canyon, then had lunch at the lodge. Nice day!

I used to live in the area, even worked at Starved Rock for a spell. I have been going to Starved Rock since I could drive there myself. Almost 30 years later I am spellbound by new things that still steal my breath away here. This past weekend (Feb 28th - March 2nd) I was able to photograph the frozen waterfall(s) at the St. Louis canyon. Albeit I started at around 430pm that night, it was a shade dark when I finally arrived from having ran through inches of snow. It was worth the run, slips and slides as I finally witnessed my first frozen waterfall. It was epic... but not as grand as the frozen waterfall the following day at the Ottawa Canyon which is easier and more convenient to get to off the highway. The St. Louis Canyon... I ran to this in under 20 minutes with mud, snow and an impending snow storm... typically it takes about an hour... (I descended down off-trail hillsides) to make it in time before darkness surrounded me. The Ottawa Canyon takes about 10 to 15 minutes to get to and is conveniently located. Both are breath taking. Will post photos once downloaded.

Went last weekend to see the bald eagles. It was awesome. We tried to make the trolley tour but it was booked. We just parked and took a short hike to the spot where you can see them. We saw about 5 flying around. Then had lunch at the restaurant back door lounge connected to the lodge and it was nice. They also serve a brunch. Go now while eagles are still there.

I hadn't visited the park since I was a kid, and going in winter was a great experience. I know the place gets crowded in the summers, so if you want a nice nature experience, the winter is the time to go. It's nice to see some varied terrain in Illinois, and the frozen falls are a lot of fun. You can walk right up to them. If there's snow on the ground, I recommend yak traks for better traction, or hiking polls. It can get quite slippery. It's hard to believe you're in Illinois when you're here. If you want to see photos of some of the falls and the winter scenery, I posted them at my website, http://go-go-go.org/2015/01/20/flatness-and-frozen-falls-finding-beauty-in-illinois/

I have visited this park 3-4 times in the last 40 years. Always a wonderful experience winter or summer. Eagle watching is great as it the beauty of the Illinois River valley.

Wear shoes or boots with good traction so you can walk all the paths in this pretty winter spot. We went for the eagles and saw about a dozen over an afternoon and following morning. The park is a lot less visited in the winter so there are no lines for information and the quiet is awesome. We loved watching the birds at the feeder near the Visitor Center.

Starved Rock Park is unique to the state park system of Illinois! You will know it the minute you enter the park, as you wind your car through the towering trees. Amazing waterfalls are active in the spring and after heavy rains. There are 13 miles of trails to explore under the towering trees and waterfalls are available in the spring and after a heavy rain. From picnicking to fishing to boating, from horseback riding to camping, there are much outdoor adventures to along the southern strip of the Illinois RiverSituated on a high bluff overlooking the Starved Rock is the log lodge built in part by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The lodge has been refurbished, but still reflects the peaceful atmosphere of yesteryear. A new hotel wing has been added and features an indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, saunas and an outdoor sunning patio. The restaurant over looks Starved Rock and the Illinois Rv and is open seven days a week.

I've been here many times in all seasons and there is a lot to do in winter you can watch Eagles in fall you can see the colors in spring you can see the waterfalls or you could just hike around and see the canyons or even just sit and one of the many beautiful views at the park

Simply amazing view. Did some Eagle watching and was not disappointed. We went for the weekend and was lucky enough to see 4 eagles. 2 adults and to juveniles. It is still a couple weeks early for all the eagles to be at locks but it was still not disappointed . We have already made plans to bring our Grandson back with us in 2-3 weeks when all of the Eagles arrive!!

We enjoyed a nice meal at the lodge, then went on the trolley. Our driver Ed did an excellent job. We saw several eagles. He also took us to the lock and dam. Very interesting

The rain ponchos sold at the gift shop came in mighty handy! We came to hike and we hiked. Unfortunately, our group split up accidentally and we didn't have cell phone service. Nevertheless, we managed to rejoin at the covered picnic tables and had our picnic at the park as planned.

We drove 2.25 hours to hike here and we (myself+two college daughters) felt the drive was worth it. Mental bonus: gas was only $1.89 a gallon (yippee). While we were slightly disappointed the trails we traveled were boardwalks (didn't get dirty!!), it was fine and we understand it makes this gem of canyons and waterfalls and river vistas more accessible to all. Two enthusiastic thumbs up.