Agencies
Services
- 4/27/25 at 11:30 AM & 1 PM
- Incredible Bats: Amazing animals from all over the world including a sloth, sugar gliders, Egyptian bats, and more.
- 9/28/25 at 11:30 AM & 1 PM
- Hoo Haven: Join Hoo Haven at the Starved Rock Visitor Center to meet a rescued bald eagle and white pelican and learn about Illinois' largest birds.
- 3/2/25 at 1 PM
- Simple Composting: Learn about the ultimate DIY project in this beginner program about composting. Follow along with Master Gardener, Natalie Martin as she breaks down (GET IT?) the starting supplies to get you going with composting at home. Participants will take home plans to make simple coffee can compost bin for their kitchen countertop.
- 4/6/25
- Plant Native to Attract Wildlife to Your Yard: Learn about the benefits of incorporating native plants into your landscape and what plants to select to attract a variety of pollinators and other wildlife to your yard with Jannifer Powelson from the IDNR. Participants will take home prairie seeds.
- 5/5/25 at 1 PM
- The Mushroom Hunt-Discovering Wild Mushrooms: Explore the fascinating world of wild mushrooms with a special focus on identifying and harvesting morels. You'll also learn how to grow your own oyster mushrooms at home, starting with a simple mushroom-in-a-cup project to take with you. The workshop will be led by local science teacher and nature educator Dan Fitzpatrick.
- 9/7/25 at 1 PM
- September's Bounty-Edible Wild Plants and Crafting Wild Wine: Discover the abundance of edible wild plants available in September. This class will guide you through identifying, harvesting, and preparing various wild plants, culminating in the art of making your own wild plant wine. The workshop will be led by local science teacher and nature educator Dan Fitzpatrick.
- 10/5/25 at 1 PM
- Edible Illinois- Harvesting and Processing Native Nuts: Join instructor Dan Fitzpatrick for an immersive nature course exploring the rich variety of edible nuts found in Illinois, including walnut, oak, hickory, and chestnut trees. We will have hands-on techniques for harvesting and processing these nuts including recipes to try at home!
- 12/7/25 at 1 PM
- Sweet Beginnings-Starting with Bees and Crafting Lip Balm: Begin your journey into beekeeping. Learn how to care for bees and manage a thriving hive. We'll also dive into the art of crafting nourishing lip balm from beeswax, giving you a sweet taste of the rewards beekeeping can offer. Instructed by Dan Fitzpatrick.
- 6/7/25 at 10 AM
- Dandelions: Join park naturalists for a fun story, craft/activity, and short hike all about dandelions.
- 6/14/25 at 10 AM
- The Water Cycle: Join park naturalists for a fun story, game/activity, and hike to the river to learn about the water cycle.
- 7/5/25 at 10 AM
- The Rock Cycle: Join park naturalists for an adventure featuring a story, engaging games, and a hike to Starved Rock to explore the rock cycle.
- 7/12/25 at 10 AM
- Arachnids: Join park naturalists for a fun adventure exploring the amazing world of spiders with stories, crafts, and a hike.
- 8/2/25 at 10 AM
- Tree Homes: There are lots of tree holes, but do you know who makes their home in them? Find out by joining one of our park naturalists.
- 8/9/25 at 10 AM
- Crows: Crows are incredibly smart! Want to learn more? Join us for stories, crafts, and bird-watching adventures with park naturalists.
- 1/12/25 at 1 PM
- Bald Eagle Art: Create your own stunning artwork showcasing the magnificent bald eagle. The artwork will be displayed at the Starved Rock Visitor Center during the annual Eagle Watch Weekend on January 25 and 26. Registration for this event is required and can be found by clicking the Registration link below.
- 4/13/25 at 1 PM
- Recycling and Art: Recycle that....into a one-of-a-kind piece of art! Art instructor Georgia Braun will teach you how to harness your creativity while recycling. Registration for this event is required and can be found by clicking the Registration link below.
- 11/9/25 at 1 PM
- Leaf Lanterns: As the leaves drift to the ground, art instructor Georgia Braun is eager to guide you in crafting enchanting leaf lanterns.
- 3/9/25 at 1 PM
- Nature Sketching and Nature Journals: Learn 3 basic drawing skills, the fun way to help you "really see" and sketch quickly and accurately. A great way to keep a sketch journal, especially for busy people. The workshop will be led by art instructor Georgia Braun.
- 9/14/25 at 1 PM
- Batiking with Beeswax and Natural Dyes: Use handmade natural inks and dyes, brass canting tools, and stamps made of leaves, pine cones, plant materials, upcycled cotton fabrics, and Mother Nature's inspiration to create a simple wax and dye piece of art. The workshop will be led by art instructor Georgia Braun.
- 12/14/25 at 1 PM
- Winter Woodland with watercolors and Sumi ink: Create a sublime snowscape using a wet-on-wet watercolor technique, dry brush feathers, and Sumi ink. Paintings will result from an appreciative, meditative approach toward the changing seasons, using the landscape of Starved Rock as inspiration. The workshop will be led by art instructor Georgia Braun.
- February
- Located at the Starved Rock Visitor Center, inside of the Kaskaskia Room.
- An entry form is required and can be downloaded below.
- Entries are due to the Starved Rock Visitor Center between December and the last weekend of January.
- The show is open to the public from the first weekend of February through the last weekend of February. The visitor center is open daily from 9-4 but closed on Lincoln's Birthday and President's Day.
- Starved Rock Art Show Instructions and Entry Form
- December
- Located at the Starved Rock Visitor Center, inside of the Kaskaskia Room.
- An entry form is required and can be downloaded below.
- Entries are due to the Starved Rock Visitor Center in the fall from October through the last weekend of November.
- The show is open to the public from the first weekend of December through the last weekend of December. The show will be closed on the second Saturday of December from 10-12 for judging.
- The Visitor Center is closed on Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
- Starved Rock Photography Show Instructions and Entry Form
- 5/3/25 at 7 AM
- Waterfalls and Wildflowers: Take a sunrise hike with park naturalist Lisa Sons from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to explore the variety of spring wildflowers in bloom and the flowing waterfalls of Ottawa and Kaskaskia Canyons.
- 7/13/25 at 7 AM
- Sunrise in the Prairie: Join park naturalist Lisa Sons for a morning walk exploring the rich ecosystem of the tallgrass prairie.
- January
- Eagle Watch Weekend
- Family Event
- An annual event that occurs on the last weekend of January.
- Live bird of prey programs, educational stations, spotting scopes/birdwatching, children's programming, and more.
- Collaboration between the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center, Starved Rock Lodge, Illinois Waterway Visitor Center, and Utica Village Hall.
- The event schedule can be found online each December at www.starvedrocklodge.com
- Eagle Watch Weekend
- June
- Junior Ranger Day
- Family Event
- An annual event that occurs on the last weekend of June.
- Outdoor educational stations from 10 AM-2 PM behind the Starved Rock Visitor Center.
- Junior Ranger Day
- October
- Ghosts of Starved Rock's Past
- Adults and mature youth 12 years and older.
- An annual event that occurs on the last Saturday of October.
- Outdoor night hike to Starved Rock and down along the Illinois River by the Starved Rock Visitor Center where participants will be greeted by the sordid tales of characters from Starved Rock's past.
- Registration is required online at Starved Rock Eventbrite starting on the last Saturday of September.
- Ghosts of Starved Rock's Past
Programs, Events, and Hikes
All IDNR programs and events are FREE, thanks to funding from our not-for-profit friends group the Starved Rock Foundation. State park programs are not affiliated with the Starved Rock Lodge which is a separate entity and operated by a private concessionaire that offers boat and trolley tours that can be reserved at www.starvedrocklodge.com.
Sunday afternoon events are supported by generous funding from the Starved Rock Foundation, a not-for-profit friends group of the park, along with contributions from visitors and the local community. While these Sunday programs are free to attend, donations are appreciated to assist the Foundation in covering the costs of program presenters. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and our auditorium can accommodate up to 80 guests at once.
We appreciate your understanding that dogs and other domesticated animals cannot participate in park programs, events, or guided hikes unless they are certified service animals, not emotional support animals. Thank you for your cooperation!
Live Animal Programs:
Tickets are required, free, and available at the front desk of the Visitor Center on the day of the program.
Nature's Make and Take Series: Learn a new skill and take something home!
Starved Rock Saplings Storytime: Children's programs suitable for youth ages 3 and up with an accompanying parent or guardian.
Register one week in advance of each program by emailing lisa.sons@illinois.gov.
Kid's Art in the Park Workshops: Art programs suitable for children ages 5 and up. Parents/guardians are asked to accompany their children throughout the workshop. Workshops are located inside the Eagle Roost Cabin located directly behind the Starved Rock Visitor Center.
Workshops are free but online registration is required at Starved Rock Eventbrite, and opens exactly one month before the date of each workshop.
Art in the Park Workshops: Acrylic or Watercolor Workshops for those 16 years and older.
Workshops are free but online registration is required at Starved Rock Eventbrite, and opens exactly one month before the date of each workshop.
Annual Starved Rock Art Show
Annual Starved Rock Photography Show
Naturalist Hikes
Hikes are free but online registration is required at Starved Rock Eventbrite, and opens exactly one month before the date of the hike.
