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Starved Rock Trail Improvement Project

Updated 7/23/2026

The State of Illinois is investing $18 million to improve trails, bridges, and stairways at Starved Rock State Park starting in late 2025 and continuing through 2026.

Construction will be staggered to minimize the number of trails affected at any given time. The park, the Starved Rock Lodge, and other amenities will remain open throughout the project. Read the news release for more information about this exciting improvement project. 

Visitors are urged to check here for weekly updates about trail availability and plan their hikes accordingly. Need suggestions? Stop by the visitor center!

Please view the trail suggestions and maps under the Activity tab for hiking options. 

Current status

Beginning July 20

  • Access to the canyon/waterfall trails to French Canyon and Wildcat Canyon are now available from the Visitor Center and the Lodge!
  • Access to the LaSalle and Tonty Canyons are currently closed for improvment including Parkman’s Plain parking lot off of Route 71.
  • The Park’s Visitor Center, Lodge, and Campground are open daily!

Trail Project 2026

Trail construction is progressing well this summer, and park staff are thrilled to share that French Canyon is now reachable from both the Visitor Center and the Lodge! Guests can access the Eagle Cliff and Lovers Leap Overlooks from the summit of French Canyon or from the Lodge's parking area.

Trails inaccesible to hikers due to construction beginning July 20 include:   

  • The brown bluff trail from the east side of Wildcat Canyon out to Sandstone Point.
  • The red river trail from the east side of Wildcat Canyon out to LaSalle and Tonti Canyons. 
  • The brown bluff trail over Pontiac Canyon.
  • Parkman's Plain/LaSalle Canyon parking lot.  

Trail accessibility July 20 includes:

  • The eastern trail system will be accessible from the Lodge by way of the French Canyon Trailhead found along the Lodge's parking lot by the cabins and from the Visitor Center through the French Canyon stairway. 
  • Access may also be obtained from any of the outlying parking lots along Route 71 such as Hennepin, Ottawa, Kaskaskia, and Illinois canyons and Route 178 to St. Louis Canyon.  

Park visitors should be aware of signs, follow Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks on Facebook for Friday updates, and plan to stop by the visitor center for assistance. 

Hikers who come upon caution tape and signage blocking a trail should stop, turn around and explore a different trail during their visit.