Guided hikes are the best way to learn about the park and all it has to offer. With an insider’s point of view, you not only take in the beauty of the natural setting, but you learn about the park history, safe hiking practices and little bits of knowledge that you didn’t know about the geology and cultural history of Starved Rock.

Take a Hike & Lunch-Guided Hike

$17 per person

Special Holiday Take a Hike Dates Added for July 4 & 5, September 2 (Labor Day) & October 14 (Columbus Day) – Call for details or click below to book online.

 Guided hikes with lunch are offered by Starved Rock Lodge on Saturdays and Sundays from April through November. Join us for a guided hike from the Lodge to LaSalle and Tonti Canyons. In our opinion, this is the BEST way to see Starved Rock State Park! Participants meet in the Hotel Lobby to pick up a lunch and a souvenir  “Starved Rock” backpack. Our friendly guides from Starved Rock Lodge will share their knowledge of Starved Rock State Park (named a National Historic Landmark in 1960) and Starved Rock Lodge (named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985). Hikers will stop for lunch once they reach LaSalle Canyon.  After lunch, the hike continues to Eagle Cliff and Lover’s Leap.  The tour concludes at the Lodge about 2:00 pm. This hike is classified as strenuous.  Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate (waterproof) shoes.  Hike is approximately 4 ½ miles round trip.  Lunch includes your choice of turkey, ham or peanut butter and jelly; bag of chips; home-made granola bar; piece of fruit; and a bottle of water.  Please bring extra water in hot weather (we recommend 2 per person). Advanced reservations are required. Space is limited. $17 per person. For more information or to book call 815-220-7386.

Click here to book Saturday, June 15, 2013

Click here to book Sunday, June 16, 2013

Click here to book Saturday, June 22, 2013

Sunday, June 23, 2013 – Call for Information

Click here to book Saturday, June 29, 2013

Click here to book Sunday, June 30, 2013

Click here to book for Thursday, July 4, 2013

Click here to book for Friday, July 5, 2013

Click here to book for Saturday, July 6, 2013

Click here to book for Sunday, July 7, 2013

Click here to book for Saturday, July 13, 2013

Click here to book for Sunday, July 14, 2013

Click here to book for Saturday, July 20, 2013

Click here to book for Sunday, July 21, 2013

Click here to book for Saturday, July 27, 2013

Click here to book for Sunday, July 28, 2013

Click here to book for Monday, September 2 (Labor Day), 2013

Click here to book for Monday, October 14 (Columbus Day), 2013

To book your Take a Hike and a Lunch for August-November, call 815-220-7386.

Half-day Hikes with the Starved Rock Walker’s Club (free)

Would you like someone to hike with you? Don’t know where to hike? The Walker’s Club meets on Thursdays at 9:00 am in the lobby of Starved Rock Lodge for pre-planned group hikes. These hikes take a few hours and usually end around noon. The best part is the hiking schedule changes each week and repeats itself each quarter so you get to see each part of the park in every season of the year, plus some hikes head to the Nature Preserve, Matthiessen or Buffalo Rock State Parks.  Hike 12 times and earn a free lunch at the Lodge Main Dining Room! No pre-registration is required. Just meet in the lobby with appropriate clothing, shoes and a water bottle! Ask for a full schedule at the Front Desk or call the Lodge for more information at 800-868-7625.

Starved Rock Lodge MegaHike

($35 per person)

Have you ever wanted to hike all the canyons in the park?  Well, now you can do it in one day. There are two MegaHikes offered each year; one in the spring and one in the fall. Hikes leave the Lodge at 8:30 a.m. & 9:00 a.m. both days.  Expected time for lunch is 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m..  Finish times are approximately 4:30 p.m. & 5:00 p.m.  The day begins as you will board a Starved Rock Trolley with a pair of guides and travel to the east end of the park where you will begin your trek.  Included is trolley transportation, guides, boxed lunch (1/2 way) and a specially designed T-shirt. Reservations are a must.  For more information and to make a reservation please call the Activities Department at (815) 220-7386. To book on-line, please go to our calendar and search the DATE of your choice.

JUST ANNOUNCED!! – Summer 2013 MEGA Hike!

Saturday, July 13, 2012

Click here to book your spot on our Summer 2013 MEGA Hike on July 13

The Amazing Race-Starved Rock Lodge-style!

Spend an exciting day solving devious clues each step of the way and getting to know the Starved Rock Lodge area a little more.  Try to be the first to uncover the Legend of Starved Rock.  Use your wits, energy and sense of adventure as you race against time and your fellow racers.  Enjoy a post-race awards ceremony at the finish line.  The Amazing Race is fantastic for families, but children under the age of  8 and guests with limited mobility may find this event too strenuous.  Teams should consiste of  2 to 4 people and at least one person must have a valid driver’s license and their own transportation as there is driving involved.  Check in for the race will be at 11:15 a.m in the Starved Rock Lodge Lobby.  Race start time is 11:30 a.m. $50.00 per couple.  For more information or to make a reservation call 815-220-7386.

Click here to book tickets for The Amazing Race Starved Rock Lodge Style. (June 23)

To book tickets for The Amazing Race Starved Rock Lodge Style in July, August or September, please call 815-220-7386.

Teambuilding Hikes

There’s nothing better than getting out of the office and into the woods for an invigorating hike. Let us guide your group so you don’t have to worry about hiking off the trails. We can add a Trolley ride to shorten the hike or tour the town. At the end of the day, we have WiFi in the woods, so everyone can leave their cell phones behind for a few hours and truly enjoy nature at its best. From the stunning views at Eagle Cliff to the deep canyon walls created over centuries, the unexpected beauty of Starved Rock will allow your group to clear their minds and enable them to return to your next meeting more focused and ready to work. We’re happy to customize the hike and quote the package and add-ons that work best for you. For more information on guided hikes, please call the Activities Department at (815) 220-7386.

Guided Winter Hikes

($12 per person).
Available from November through March 31, 2013 (then our warm weather Take a Hike with lunch returns).
Offered every Saturday & Sunday from December-March. Hike runs from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 pm Join us for a guided hike with the possibility of seeing frozen waterfalls & bald eagles in flight at we travel  from the Lodge to LaSalle Canyon.  Participants meet in the hotel lobby of the Lodge to pick up a snack and a souvenir “Starved Rock” backpack.  After leaving LaSalle Canyon, the hike continues to Eagle Cliff and Lover’s Leap for the best view of  majestic eagles, the scenic river valley and the Illinois Waterway Lock and Dam.  The tour concludes at the Lodge about 2:00 pm.  Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear proper footwear.  In the event of ice and snow we advise Yaktrax for extra traction on your shoes or boots.  Hike will be about 4.5 miles round trip and is considered strenuous.  Remember to bring your binoculars and camera.  Included are: homemade granola bar, bottled water, souvenir “Starved Rock” backpack and voucher for small hot chocolate or coffee in our Cafe upon your return. Advanced reservations are required as space is limited.  For more information or to reserve tickets call us at (815) 220-7386.

Seasonal Hikes with the Starved Rock Foundation

Fall: Fall Colors Hikes
October 19 & 20, 2013

Hike departs from the Visitor Center and goes to the top of Starved Rock, French Canyon and back to the Visitor Center. About one-hour round trip. This is one of three annual, guided hikes offered by the Starved Rock Foundation. THIS hike is free and open to the public. Hikes depart from the Starved Rock Visitor Center at 9:00 am and 3:00 pm. For more information, please call the park office at (815) 667-4726.

Winter: Winter Wilderness Weekend Hikes
January 2014 (dates to be announced). This is one of three annual, guided hikes offered by the Starved Rock Foundation. Hike from the Visitor Center to the top of Starved Rock and into French Canyon. See the snow-covered canyon walls and the amazing views from the top of Starved Rock.THIS hike is free and open to the public. Hikes depart from the Starved Rock Visitor Center at 9:00 am and 3:00 pm. For more information, please call the park office at (815) 667-4726.

Spring: Wildflower Pilgrimage Hikes