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Starved Rock Trail Improvement Project

Updated 4/2/2026

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 most of 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 on under the Activity tab for hiking options this spring. 

Current status

Beginning the week of March 23, 2026, some Starved Rock trails will be closed until June to accommodate trail construction that will close access to French Canyon.

This includes the trailhead access to the top of French, the trails from the Lodge parking lot, and the trail leading into French Canyon from behind the visitor center. This is a small area in comparison to the entire trail system available to visitors.

Access to the east end of the park will be open from the visitor center following the red marked trail to Lovers Leap and out. The west end of the park to St. Louis Canyon will not be affected.

Trails and park areas that are unavailable to visitors as of March 23, 2026:

  • Trail Project Phase 1: End of March through June. This includes access to French Canyon from the visitor center and the Lodge parking lot/trailhead. It also includes Brown Bluff Trail directly above French Canyon and Campanula Trail between the bluffs of French and Wildcat canyons.
  • Existing closures include Tonti Canyon and Tonti Bridge, west side trail from LaSalle Canyon to Tonti Canyon, and the staircase from the west entrance to the boat ramp area.

Park visitors should plan to stop by the visitor center to confirm which trails are open and closed on any given day or view the listing below and follow Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks on Facebook for weekly updates. 

Hikers who come upon caution tape and signage blocking a trail should stop, turn around and explore a different trail during their visit. Staff and volunteers inside the visitors center will be happy to provide trail recommendations.