Labor Day Weekend getaway to Starved Rock State Park

View from Starved Rock.
A Kathy Casstevens photo for Starved Rock State Park

Canyons, waterfalls, forest trails and Native American lore make Starved Rock State Park a destination just about any time of year.

When a long weekend can turn what is a 90 minute drive southwest from Chicago into a leisurely overnight stay, then a Labor Day Weekend getaway there becomes a good, end of summer trip.

Before learning more about the park, the area and places to stay, here’s some background music to set the mood. Click about the park then click on the photo you’ll see of a Native American musician. Minimize the MP3 player as you read this article

The state park stretches along the south banks of the Illinois River to Utica from where the Fox River empties into it at Ottowa . Entrance signs are at Illinois Highways 71 and 178. Glacial melting and river erosion cut into the sandstone and sedimentary rock leaving canyons, waterfalls, overhangs and fine picture-album views.

Wandering the trails are fine but to not miss an interesting formation or view, stop at the Visitor Center and Lodge in the park to pick up trail maps to Starved Rock and also two other scenic neighboring state parks: Matthiessen to the south and west of Starved Rock and Buffalo on the north side of the Illinois River.

Starved Rock State Park Lodge is fun to visit, anyway, for good casual lunch fare in the Veranda restaurant, park or Native American craft souvenirs and to see exceptionally fine wood carvings on its grounds as part of its Art in the Park program. Look for "Big Chief" chiseled by famed woodcarver Peter Wolf Toth who has done a carving for each state.

The area, settled by Native Americans for thousands of years, was better known since the 1600s for its tribal villages, French fort and trading posts.

Both sides of the Illinois River were settled by Illiniwek tribes on and off from the 1500s to the 1700s. French explorer Father (Pere) Jacques Marquette built a mission at an Illiniwek Kaskaskia (sub-tribe) village in the 1670’s and the French built Fort Louis on Starved Rock in the late 1600s then it became a trading stop. As to the origin of the park’s name, the story revolves around inter-tribal revenge. Go there to find out more about the park’s long history.

Where to stay
The Starved Rock State Park Lodge’s rooms and cabins are easier to book weekdays and are filled most of Labor Day Weekend. Rooms sometimes become available on line at the last minute but there are other good choices, nearby.

Go elegant: at Brightwood Inn, a Select Registry member in Oglesby. A good choice for couples and girls getaways, Brightwood is surrounded on three sides by Matthiessen State Park which has less crowded trails then Starved Rock. Brightwood is at 2407 North IL Highway 178,Oglesby, phone: 888-667-0600 Deal: Stay two nights to get a third night at half price.

Go family friendly: Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort, Utica, also on IL Hwy 178 entertains youngsters in its indoor water park and amusement park. The resort has a variety of accommodations ranging from rooms to cabins to villas. Deal: if available, a $239 a night room for $209.50 if asking for Labor Day Weekend special when booking. 1-866-399-FUNN (3866).
Other accommodations

Where to dine and wine: The Nodding Onion  to get apple walnut and other yummy salads or orange county chicken and other wraps for lunch or blue cheese stuffed mushroom and red fin tuna and other fine dishes for dinner, 522 Clark Street, Utica, phone 815-667-4990. While in Utica stop at the August Hill Winery tasting room, 106 Mill Street, Utica, (815) 667-5211. All August Hill wines entered into the 2009 Indy International Wine Competition received gold, silver or bronze medals.

Other Labor Day Weekend Trips:

Iowa County Fair, Mineral Point, WI

Tri-County State Fair, Mendota, IL

Grand Haven, MI

Saugatuck-Douglas, MI

Jodie Jacobs

Chicago Midwest Getaways Examiner