Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks

06/14/2026

Seasonal Sunday Report! If you have any trail photos from June 14-19, please share them with us. We would love to see images showcasing trail conditions, waterfalls, wildlife, or plant life at [email protected].

This Sunday’s plant photo is brought to you by Park Naturalist Lisa Sons. You can currently find stunning clusters of this prairie flower along the south entrance to the park from Route 71. Can you name it?

Are you planning a visit to the park this week? Be ready for muddy trails that can suck your boots in and standing water near the canyon entrances to the waterfalls. The bright side of all this rain is that the waterfalls are flowing vigorously, which is quite unusual for mid-June. Photos were taken on Sunday morning at Ottawa Canyon by Park Naturalist Lisa Sons. Please be cautious as there is a tree hanging from the bluff above Ottawa Canyon and several downed trees along the trail due to recent storms.

This week's wildlife photo comes from Seasonal Naturalist Amy Gensler, who has been with us every year from 2022-2026. Amy has a passion for insects, so naturally, she captured a picture of the two polyphemus moths "relaxing" together. Did you know that moths like these emerge from cocoons after spending the winter in leaf litter or on tree branches and are born without mouthparts? Their sole purpose as adults is to reproduce.

06/14/2026

6-14-26

The entrance to the eastern trails from the visitor center or at the bottom of the stairs from the Lodge is now open to visitors. The trail was closed Thursday and Friday due to a wash out. Park staff fixed the washed-out area Friday evening.

The main parking lot in front of the visitor center remains flooded and closed for the time being. Visitors are asked to park in the gravel overflow parking lot off of the south entrance to the park from Route 71 or at the Lodge.

06/13/2026

Photos needed!
The visitor center is in the process of developing a new exhibit focused on the diverse habitats found within Starved Rock State Park. Currently, park staff are seeking photographers who are willing to contribute high-resolution images of the various habitats' characteristic of this region. If you are interested in sharing your photos and receiving recognition for your contribution, along with the opportunity to have one of your images featured in the exhibit, please reach out to the Natural Resources Coordinator, Lisa Sons, at [email protected]. The photos should be high resolution, suitable for a panel measuring 41" wide by 72" tall. They should capture a view into the habitat rather than close-ups, allowing visitors to feel fully immersed in the scene. While images of tallgrass prairie or oak and hickory forests do not have to be taken at Starved Rock State Park, they should be sourced from Central to Northern Illinois. The sandstone canyon and Illinois River photographs should be from the park. Example attached (example is not high resolution though)

Oak-Hickory Forest

Illinois River

Tallgrass Prairie

Sandstone canyon

06/13/2026

IMPORTANT UPDATE
6-13-26

The trail access to the eastern trail system starting behind the visitor center is now open.

The main parking lot and boat ramp remain closed until further notice. Visitors should park at the gravel overflow parking lot by the south entrance off of route 71.

06/13/2026

Kids, grab your Starved Rock Saplings activity packet! Just hop on over to the Starved Rock page on the IDNR website at https://dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.starvedrock.html
Packets will be located under the Interpretive tab.

06/12/2026

Freaky, Fantastical, Fun Fact Friday

06/12/2026

IMPORTANT UPDATE
6-13-26

The trail access to the eastern trail system starting behind the visitor center is now open.

The main parking lot and boat ramp remain closed until further notice. Visitors should park at the gravel overflow parking lot by the south entrance off of route 71.

6-12-26

The post from yesterday is still valid.

IMPORTANT UPDATE
6-13-26

The trail access to the eastern trail system starting behind the visitor center is now open.

The main parking lot and boat ramp remain closed until further notice. Visitors should park at the gravel overflow parking lot by the south entrance off of route 71.

IMPORTANT UPDATE 6/11/26

The main parking lot along the Illinois River between the boat ramp and visitor center at Starved Rock State Park is now closed due to rising floodwaters.

Due to the inclement weather the area has been experiencing this past week, water has caused the following closures until further notice.

Matthiessen State Park

• Upper Dells of Matthiessen State Park including access to Lake Falls, Middle Falls, and Cascade Falls.
• Bridge over Lake Falls. Detour available.

This means that the only trail available at the Dells Area is the upper loop portion from the Fort at the main parking lot or trails at the Vermillion River Area south of the Dells entrance off of route 178.

Starved Rock State Park

• Trails to the eastern section of the park from either the Lodge or the Visitor Center are closed due to trail construction and a recent trail washout.

Access to the eastern trails can be obtained from outlying parking lots such as: LaSalle, Ottawa, and Illinois Canyons off of route 71 or St. Louis Canyon off of route 178.

Access to St. Louis and Aurora Canyons is open from the Lodge out to the western trail system as well as the Visitor Center and Starved Rock.

The visitor center, campground, and lodge remain open with normal operational hours. Visitors are asked to park in the overflow parking lot off of the south entrance to the park, lodge, or outlying parking lots mentioned above.

Thank you for understanding.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center

06/12/2026

What's Going on at Starved Rock State Park!

Check out our upcoming programs, events, hikes, and workshops made possible by IDNR park staff and funding from the Starved Rock Foundation. Grab a calendar of events at the visitor center or download the brochure from IDNR website at https://dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.starvedrock.html.

06/11/2026

Throwback Thursday

06/11/2026

IMPORTANT UPDATE
6-13-26

The trail access to the eastern trail system starting behind the visitor center is now open.

The main parking lot and boat ramp remain closed until further notice. Visitors should park at the gravel overflow parking lot by the south entrance off of route 71.

IMPORTANT UPDATE 6/11/26

The main parking lot along the Illinois River between the boat ramp and visitor center at Starved Rock State Park is now closed due to rising floodwaters.

Due to the inclement weather the area has been experiencing this past week, water has caused the following closures until further notice.

Matthiessen State Park

• Upper Dells of Matthiessen State Park including access to Lake Falls, Middle Falls, and Cascade Falls.
• Bridge over Lake Falls. Detour available.

This means that the only trail available at the Dells Area is the upper loop portion from the Fort at the main parking lot or trails at the Vermillion River Area south of the Dells entrance off of route 178.

Starved Rock State Park

• Trails to the eastern section of the park from either the Lodge or the Visitor Center are closed due to trail construction and a recent trail washout.

Access to the eastern trails can be obtained from outlying parking lots such as: LaSalle, Ottawa, and Illinois Canyons off of route 71 or St. Louis Canyon off of route 178.

Access to St. Louis and Aurora Canyons is open from the Lodge out to the western trail system as well as the Visitor Center and Starved Rock.

The visitor center, campground, and lodge remain open with normal operational hours. Visitors are asked to park in the overflow parking lot off of the south entrance to the park, lodge, or outlying parking lots mentioned above.

Thank you for understanding.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center