Early morning hike at Starved Rock

I am so fortunate to live just 15 minutes from Starved Rock State Park.  It is another one of those places that is practically in my own back yard that many of us who live in the Illinois Valley take for granted. 



View of the dam at Starved Rock

 I recently was up before the sun, so I grabbed my camera, drove the the park and arrived right as it opened for the day.  I hit the trails hoping to photograph the park in the early morning light.

This turkey was admiring
its reflection in the
Visitor Center window.

In the quiet park I met a few animals along the way to the top of "The Rock."

View of the Illinois River Valley from
the top of the rock

A Native American legend says a band of Illiniwek Indians sought refuge on top of Starved Rock in 1769 when they were surrounded by a group of Ottawa and Potawatomi Indians (their enemies). Unable to come down alive, they eventually starved to death on the rock, and that is how Starved Rock got its name.

The Lodge and many of the paths, shelters, bridges and stairways were built in the 1930s and most are an easy trek--even for an inexperienced hiker like myself. There are 18 canyons, many with waterfalls and over 13 miles of trails to explore at the park, which sits upon the banks of the Illinois River.

Starved Rock is celebrating 100 years anniversary of becoming a state park this summer.  It is the second oldest park in the state. 

Its a great place to visit in central Illinois, and it is less than one tank of gas from Chicago, Peoria, Bloomington/Normal, and the Quad Cities.