Starved Rock

There’s a wide range of comfortable lodging destinations where you can refresh and recharge for another fun-filled day of hiking, boutique shopping and artisan spirit sampling.

Financial Plus Credit Union recently made a $2,500 donation to the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation’s third annual Stayin’ Alive Disco Ball.

The free Starved Rock Saplings Children’s Program is set for 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Starved Rock Visitor Center/Eagle’s Roost Cabin.

The 31st campaign for the Starved Rock Civil War Round Table kicks off on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at Ottawa High School with a program on the “Wigwam Win” and its effect on the Civil War.

These mini cabins offer a glamping retreat in the woods.

The Starved Rock Country Community Foundation's third annual Stayin' Alive Disco Ball will feature food vendors, an auction, a light show and more.

Autumn is written into my bones – so much so that these shifts in the atmosphere that take place each year register deep within my soul.

Captain’s Cove Bar and Grill in rural Ottawa is set to close. An official closing date soon will be announced for the waterfront restaurant at Starved Rock Marina.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.) disclosed Saturday that she’s fielded queries about how to elevate Starved Rock State Park into a national park – though there is no pending legislation or imminent action.

From serene river cruises to extreme off-roading, you’ll find something in the region that’s sure to thrill everyone.

Paddling for Pets announced its second annual Witches on the Water fundraiser, taking place on Saturday, Sept. 21, near Starved Rock State Park.

Oglesby is clearing the way for short-term accommodations, such as Airbnbs.

A man died Saturday afternoon after falling from a ledge at Illinois Canyon in Starved Rock State Park.

Visitors to the Starved Rock Family Campground in La Salle may have a new energy source as early as September, thanks in part to a federal grant.

The Starved Rock and Matthiessen Calendar is returning for the 2025 calendar year with 100% of proceeds being donated to the Starved Rock Foundation.

Enjoy live entertainment, guided hikes and delicious meals during your weekend getaway in Starved Rock Country.

Dave’s Traveling World of Reptiles will visit the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center for two shows Sunday, Aug. 4.

A 76-year-old DeKalb man was taken by ambulance to OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa after falling about 25 feet down a slope near La Salle Canyon at Starved Rock State Park and into a creek, conservation police said.

Utica, Oglesby Fire and EMS along with Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police responded Wednesday to rescue a man who slipped and fell about 25 feet at La Salle Canyon at Starved Rock State Park. The man was not cited.

Starved Rock and Matthiessen park visitors are being asked if they see a downed tree over the trail to take a picture and send the location to dnr.starvedrock@illinois.gov.

Artist, poet, language arts instructor and entrepreneur René Parks Wendinger of Streator has been hired by the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation to head its arts program.

The Starved Rock Native American Artifact Show will return for its 21st year.

Waterfowl hunters should mark their calendars for upcoming waterfowl blind drawings at several public hunting areas in Illinois.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Urban Fishing program will join the sapling program 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 13, and teach younger participants how to fish.

The Illinois Valley remains dry thanks to June rains that came up a little short of average in Illinois -- even as much of the Midwest had catastrophic flooding.

A Living History Program entitled Lincoln and the Illinois and Michigan Canal with Glenn Braun is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, July 7, at Starved Rock Visitor Center.

If you’re walking through the sunflower field at Matthiessen State Park and hear a buzzing noise it may not be a bee.

Chester Weger will have to wait at least another month before learning whether he can continue to try and overturn his conviction in the Starved Rock murders case.

Chester Weger will be in an Ottawa courtroom Monday morning for a hearing to determine whether he can continue trying to overturn his conviction in the Starved Rock murders case.

Some fun, family-friendly ideas on how to spend the day in the Starved Rock area.

The Enchanted Forest, the long-abandoned indoor amusement park at Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock, needs to be cleaned up, Utica officials said.

Three Illinois Valley chefs advanced to the Top 5 in a national chef competition with a $25,000 top prize.

Some fun, old-fashioned date night ideas in the Starved Rock area.

Vandals recently spray painted blue and black graffiti on the face of Sandstone Point at Starved Rock State Park.

Illinois Valley chefs Charles Klinefelter, executive chef at Starved Rock Conference Center, and Jill Hejl, a cooking instructor at Illinois Valley Community College, both qualified as a top 10 contestant in “Carla Hall presents Favorite Chef" national contest.

Riker Fesperman of La Salle was awarded the 2024 Frederick W. Matthiessen Award during the 58th annual commencement ceremony May 18 at Illinois Valley Community College.

Enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the Illinois River Valley at Starved Rock Lodge, while listening to live music over a drink or dinner on the outdoor patio.

Charles Klinefelter, executive chef at Starved Rock Conference Center, needs Illinois Valley support as he is competing for the title of Carla Hall Favorite Chef – a competition featuring the best chefs from across the United States.

The Marseilles City Council approved Wednesday the base bid of $969,226 from Connelly Construction of Morris for the complete renovation of Broadway Park.

Wayne Eichelkraut, longtime Ottawa commissioner, on Thursday received the Leo Parkerson Award from the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce.

The official grand opening of the Starved Rock Disc Golf course will be Tuesday, May 28, in Oglesby’s Lehigh Park.

Hundreds of runners from all over the Midwest gathered Saturday to run the 10th year of the Starved Rock Country Marathon and Half Marathon on Saturday at Starved Rock State Park.

The La Salle County Board will vote Thursday on a resolution opposing any attempt to rename Starved Rock State Park. A board committee unanimously advanced a draft resolution Monday.

State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) said Wednesday she opposes a proposal to change the name of Starved Rock State Park. She has filed a resolution in the Illinois Senate to keep the park’s name.

Crews have nearly completed a 6,100 foot breakwater wall near Delbridge Island just east of the Starved Rock Lock and Dam. The Starved Rock Breakwater project is nearing completion as a habitat restoration effort designed to restore submerged aquatic vegetation in the Illinois River, Starved Rock Pool. The estimated total cost of this project is between $5 and $10 million.

A petition is circulating urging Springfield not to rename Starved Rock State Park. Dozens signed it Monday at a Utica business and pledged to collect more signatures.

The director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources hopes construction on the Matthiessen State Park annex will begin next year.

About 50 residents gathered Monday in Utica to sign a petition for keeping of Starved Rock name. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources acknowledged it is looking at changing the name of Starved Rock, but not immediately.

The program is free of charge, but online registration is required on Starved Rock Eventbrite.

The Virginia bluebells have reached their peak at Illinois Canyon at Starved Rock State Park. Find out what other wildflowers you can see in the park.