Starved Rock State Park: A Treasure with Fascinating Stories

Located about an hour and a half southwest of Chicago is perhaps Illinois’ greatest park.

Starved Rock State Park is situated on 2,630 acres along the Illinois River, near the town of Oglesby. Having grown up in New Lenox, a trip to this park was a regular part of my school’s curriculum, not only because of the natural beauty of the area, but because of the history associated with it.

There is a legend surrounding the naming of the park, Starved Rock. During a tribal meeting between the Illinois and Pottawatomie, the chief of the Ottawa tribe, Pontiac, was stabbed, kicking off major battle. The members of the Illinois tribe climbed up to the top of a large rock for safety, but died after several days from starvation, thus the name “Starved Rock” was passed down. Another park legend involves a pair of lovers from two rival tribes. When her lover was killed in battle, a woman, unable to live without him, climbed to the top of Starved Rock and jumped to her death.

The land making up the current park was purchased by Daniel Fletcher Hitt in 1835, and then sold in 1890 to Ferdinand Walther. It was Walther who established the area as a vacation destination, complete with a hotel, swimming area, and dance hall. However, in 1911 the State of Illinois bought the property and created the state’s first recreational park. It is now a National Historic Landmark, thus preserving the land, the lodge and the cabins for visitors for years to come.

There is much to do at Starved Rock amid its winding trails and campsites. The hiking trails are particularly impressive. In total there are 13 miles of trails to enjoy, but you can choose from up to 16 different paths to follow. You can park close to several of the starting points and begin your adventure from there!  The trails are very clearly marked, but should you need help, emergency numbers are made available.

A lookout point at Starved Rock. (Photo by Matthew Deming)

The grounds at Starved Rock also offer space for camping. There are 133 Class-A campsites and the park gives visitors the opportunity to reserve a space in advance. All sites have electricity and there is even a bath house with showers and toilets. The park also has a very well stocked campground store for most of your camping needs, and is open Fridays and Saturdays, so plan ahead.

Visitors can also just come for a day to enjoy a picnic in a picturesque setting. There are tables available, and a limited number of covered shelters, but be mindful that alcohol is not allowed in the picnic area between January 1 and May 31 and is never allowed on the trails.

The park’s main lodge is also available for conferences, indoor and outdoor weddings, and corporate events. Within the lodge you can also enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner, but I would recommend that you try to get a table on the veranda to take in the view of the Illinois River. Additionally, there is another café, and a concessions area at the Visitor Center for your snacking needs and hiking supplies.

A 2019 article from a local source in Illinois described the park’s financial struggles as not having enough funds for repairs and maintenance. The report noted the park was in need of more employees to keep things running as they had in the past.  In 2022 it was reported that 10 million dollars would be heading to the park to make vital infrastructure improvements.

Our nation's state and national parks are crucial to our society for so many reasons. There are thousands of people employed by these parks every year, and without them, there is no way to ensure their survival. These parks, Starved Rock included, are also protected areas, where nature can be left to flourish. Whether or not the legends surrounding the park are true, we owe the original inhabitants of this serene site our thanks that we can now share the space with our communities.

For more information: https://www.starvedrocklodge.com/