Starved Rock State Park in Illinois, the second oldest state park in the state, is named after an unverified Indian legend. The park offers hiking, eagle-watching, boat rides, and a replica of Fort St. Louis. The park has 18 canyons, and many trails, bridges, and shelters built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Admission and parking are free, and the park offers trolley tours and a wedding package.
Starved Rock State Park is located near Utica, Illinois on the banks of the Illinois River. The land that is included in the park was given to the public by the state in 1911. Made up of large St. Peter sandstone hills and tree-lined bluffs and meandering streams, it is the second oldest state park in Illinois. The park gets its name from an ancient unverified Indian legend involving the death of many members of a tribe atop rocks. Open year-round, the park offers hiking, eagle-watching, and boat rides, as well as an on-site hotel and a replica of Fort St. Louis, which once stood atop the rocky hill.
Indian legend tells the story of a band of Illiniwek Indians who were forced up the hills of what is now Starved Rock State Park in 1769. The Illiniweks were pursued by their enemies, the Ottawa and Potawatomi Indians, and were surrounded. Unable to get off the butte without being killed, the Illiniweks were starved to death. This unsubstantiated story of despair and bad luck has given the park its unique name.
Many of the trails, bridges, and shelters within the park were built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). There are many trails and 18 canyons, all of which can be explored by visitors. Bird watching is a popular activity in the park, with eagles taking center stage during the winter and migrating white pelicans frequent the area during the spring and fall months. Admission is free, as is parking and many of the activities operated by Starved Rock Lodge, which is the only lodge located within the park.
Thaw and early spring rains create waterfalls in nearly all of the 18 canyons within the park. This creates an excellent photographic backdrop and picturesque scenes for picnics and hikes. A replica of the old French Fort St. Louis can be seen in the visitor center, and free movies are available explaining the origins of the park’s first inhabitants, as well as the creation of the park. There are also trolley tours of the park, which allow for a unique insight into the park’s many features. A wedding package is also available which allows couples to start their married life together in the park.
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