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Attention hunters: Visit our FAQ page for information about the use of centerfire, single-shot rifles for deer hunting in Illinois. 

Hours

Starved Rock Park Trails:
7:00 a.m. - sunset

Starved Rock Visitor Center:
Daily 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Closed on Federal holidays from November through March.

Starved Rock Campground:
Gates open at 8:30 a.m.  Gates close at 10 p.m. daily.

Starved Rock Lodge: 
separate operating hours, please visit: www.starvedrocklodge.com

Hike App

VISITOR CENTER

The Visitor Center exhibit hall, park office, and information desk are open Daily 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Visitor Center is CLOSED on: 

  • Election Day 
  • Veterans Day
  • Thanksgiving
  • Day after Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Day 
  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Lincolns Birthday 
  • Presidents' Day 
  • Juneteenth 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Areas Currently Closed to Visitors

  • Brown Bluff trail above French Canyon is CLOSED 
  • Tonti Canyon and Tonti Bridge are CLOSED.
  • The west side trail from LaSalle Canyon to Tonti Canyon is CLOSED. 
  • Owl Canyon Overlook is CLOSED.
  • Trail from West Entrance to Boat Ramp Area is CLOSED.

Shotgun (Deer): 11/22-24 & 12/5-8
CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.

Starved Rock Nature Preserve (not in the park)
Matthiessen State Park
Sandy Ford Nature Preserve
Margery C. Carlson Nature Preserve
Mitchells Grove Nature Preserve

DOO Hunt (Deer): 11/22-24 & 12/5-8
CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC

Starved Rock Campground

Muzzleloader (Deer): 12/13-15
CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC

Starved Rock Nature Preserve (not in the park)
Matthiessen State Park
Sandy Ford Nature Preserve
Margery C. Carlson Nature Preserve
Mitchells Grove Nature Preserve

CWD Firearm (Deer): 12/26-29 & 1/17-19
CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC

Starved Rock Nature Preserve (not in the park)
Matthiessen State Park
Sandy Ford Nature Preserve
Margery C. Carlson Nature Preserve
Mitchells Grove Nature Preserve

ACTIVITY PERMITS

REQUIRED FOR ANY GROUP OF 20 OR MORE

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Land Management requires any group of 20 or more persons who use Department facilities to have advance written permission from the Site Superintendent.

Regardless of group size, the Department may require additional liability coverage to be provided through an Activity PermitRelease of Liability can be used if your organization, family, or school does not have liability insurance. Site managers may deny the request if the facilities are not adequate to handle the size of the group if public health or safety might be compromised, if the liability risk to the Department is too great or if there would be adverse impacts on natural resources at the site.

Activity Permits are to be used whenever a non-traditional use of any facility is requested (for example - a family reunion in the picnic area) and/or any activity that might increase potential liability to the Department (for example - search and rescue teams practicing on rock faces). These requests need to be made at least 21 days in advance of the activity and forwarded to the Regional Office for processing.

Permit to Sell is needed if food or goods are sold, fees are charged, or when money changes hands in any manner among the organizers, spectators, and/or participants.

Guidelines for Completing Activity Permits

  1. Complete the Activity Permit at least 2-3 weeks prior to the scheduled visit. 
  2. Acquire Proof of Liability Insurance (business, school, or organization can ask their administrator or main office) or have each participant sign the Release of Liability Form ahead of time. 
  3. Email, mail, or drop off the completed Activity Permit and Proof of Liability Insurance together (or, Release of Liability) to DNR.StarvedRock@illinois.gov at least 2-3 weeks prior to the scheduled visit.
  4. Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center
    PO Box 509
    Utica, IL 61373

  5. The Site Superintendent will respond within 2 weeks from the time the permit was handed in with an approval or denial of the group visit through email (DNR.StarvedRock@illinois.gov) or phone at 1-815-667-4726.

Common Park Questions and Answers Booklet

StarvedRock

Park Information:

Northwestern Illinois

PO Box 509

Utica

61373

815-667-4726

Office M-F

41.309

-88.989

Starved Rock Site Map Thumbnail

Other Parks in Illinois:

Map of Illinois DNR Regions State Parks in Northwestern IllinoisState Parks in Northeastern IllinoisState Parks in East Central IllinoisState Parks in West Central IllinoisState Parks in Southern Illinois