Seniors Visit Starved Rock

Seniors find out that Starved Rock, located between Ottawa and La Salle-Peru, Illinois stands as one of the preeminent archeological, historical, and scenic landmarks in the state. Rising over 125 feet above the river below, Starved Rock is a tree covered sandstone monolith overlooking the Illinois River.

The park’s landscape of woodland, canyons, and waterfalls may closely resemble the region’s landscape as it was before the Ice Age. These two seniors have visited Starved Rock, said to be the #1 visited site in Illinois, and spent a full day there watching the eagles.

Starved Rock Park is a world apart from anything else in the state. Amazing waterfalls are active in the spring and after heavy rains. Hikers have 13 miles of trails to explore, plus, the Illinois River offers fishing (ice fishing, too), boating, extraordinary views and great places to relax.

Seniors Awed By Eagles

We watched dozens of eagles circle overhead looking for prey in the river just below the dam.  They stay all winter long, a true haven for them. The water is always open under the dam even when the rest of the river is frozen over.

The Park is situated along the south bank of the Illinois River, less than 100 miles from Chicago and just a few miles south off of Interstate 80. Starved Rock attracted over 2 million visitors last year who explored its scenic trails and canyons, dined in its Historic Lodge (as we did) and enjoyed the panoramic views from tall bluffs which offer a unique contrast to the flatlands of Illinois.

A hike to the top of a sandstone butte or a peaceful stroll to explore any of the 18 canyons gives senior visitors a memorable experience. The canyons slice dramatically through tree-covered sandstone bluffs for four miles at Starved Rock State Park.  Archeologists suggest that human habitation around Starved Rock dates as far back as 8000 B.C.

 Seniors Like the Trolley Tours

For senior hikers, there are 13 miles of well-marked trails to check out. The Lodge and Conference Center has 69 rooms and 21 cabins in the woods. Climb abroad one of the trolley tours to take in the park and you won’t have to hike.

Starved Rock got its name from a legendary incident that occurred in the 1760s when a small village of 500 Illinois Indians still lived in the area. This small band of Illiniwek, who were under attack by a band of Pottawatomie, took their refuge at the top a 125-foot sandstone butte. The Ottawa and Pottawatomie surrounded the bluff until the Illiniwek died of starvation. This inspired the name “Starved Rock.”

It’s one cool park. Don’t miss it as you travel through Illinois.  jeb