First visit to Starved Rock! Help us plan our trip
August 13, 2015 9:19 AM Subscribe
We are visiting Starved Rock state park for the first time next week, and based upon previous comments and reviews we are very excited. Although we're not the most adventuresome hikers, should be in decent enough shape to handle a few 4-6 mile hikes. Only staying there (one of the cabins on-site) for 2 days/1 night and want to make sure we get our money's worth!
Looking for any advice from people who have visited before about your experiences, what to prioritize seeing and best times to do so. We arrive on a Tuesday around 1 pm and plan to leave on Wednesday by 4 pm (although somewhat flexible). Based on this, if you have any recommendations about time of day and certain trails to check out, please pass it along. My thinking is that we will do one long hike each day and rest up/check out the town in between. Any random tidbits or adventures feel free to share as well; living in the city has made it tough to appreciate nature and based upon the photos we think we're in for a good time. Thanks in advance!
Looking for any advice from people who have visited before about your experiences, what to prioritize seeing and best times to do so. We arrive on a Tuesday around 1 pm and plan to leave on Wednesday by 4 pm (although somewhat flexible). Based on this, if you have any recommendations about time of day and certain trails to check out, please pass it along. My thinking is that we will do one long hike each day and rest up/check out the town in between. Any random tidbits or adventures feel free to share as well; living in the city has made it tough to appreciate nature and based upon the photos we think we're in for a good time. Thanks in advance!
Seconding Matthiessen. Also Buffalo Rock State park is nearby.
My boyfriend and I just visited Starved Rock last month, and we got there later in the afternoon/early evening and found that the crowds really thinned out at that time.
In terms of hiking, wear good shoes and be prepared for lots of stairs.
posted by hazel79 at 11:46 AM on August 13, 2015
My boyfriend and I just visited Starved Rock last month, and we got there later in the afternoon/early evening and found that the crowds really thinned out at that time.
In terms of hiking, wear good shoes and be prepared for lots of stairs.
posted by hazel79 at 11:46 AM on August 13, 2015
Last month, parts of the park were closed due to flooding. Might be worth checking into.
Utica is nice, but won't take you more than am hour or two to see it all. Eat at the Canal Port.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 1:07 PM on August 13, 2015
Utica is nice, but won't take you more than am hour or two to see it all. Eat at the Canal Port.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 1:07 PM on August 13, 2015
Wildcat Canyon is probably my favorite, and I would certainly climb up Starved Rock itself for the lovely view.
posted by Occula at 2:20 PM on August 13, 2015
posted by Occula at 2:20 PM on August 13, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by enn at 11:34 AM on August 13, 2015 [1 favorite]