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Programs, Events, and Hikes 

2025 Calendar of Events 

2026 Calendar of Events

All IDNR/state park programs and events are free to park visitors.  Programs are supported by generous funding from the Starved Rock Foundation, a not-for-profit friends group of the park, along with contributions from visitors and the local community.  While programs are free to attend, donations are appreciated.  Starved Rock Foundation.  

We appreciate your understanding that dogs and other domesticated animals cannot participate in park programs, events, or guided hikes unless they are certified service animals, not emotional support animals. Thank you for your cooperation! 

State park programs are not affiliated with the Starved Rock Lodge which is a seperate entity and operated by a private concessionaire that offers boat and trolley tours that can be reserved at Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center. 

Naturalist Led Hikes

Hikes are free, but registration is required. Registration opens exactly 1 month prior to the date of the hike and can be found on Starved Rock Eventbrite. 

  • January
    • Trek Through Time:  Guided Icefall and Ice Age Hike with a Naturalist.  
  • April
    • Chasing Spring:  Waterfall and Wildflower Hike with a Naturalist. 
  • May
    • Springtime Symphony:  Bird Identification and Watching Hike with a Naturalist.
    • Nature's Tribute:  Memorial Day Hike with a Naturalist.
      • 5/25/26 at 10 a.m. 
      • Registration is not required.  
  • June
    • Summer Solstice Hike with a Naturalist.
  • July
    • From Quarry to Conservation:  Independence Day Hike with a Naturalist. 
      • 7/4/26, at 10 a.m. 
      • Registration is not required. 
  • August
    • Journey through the Tallgrass Prairie:  Hike with a Naturalist. 
  • September
    • Honoring the Hands that have Built Our Parks:  Labor Day Hike with a Naturalist. 
      • 9/7/26, at 10 a.m.
      • Registration is not required. 
  • October
    • Leaf Peeping and Tree Seeking Hike with a Naturalist.
  • November
    • Finding Thankfulness in Nature:  Hike with a Naturalist.
  • December
    • Winter Solstice Hike with a Naturalist

Special Events

  •  January
    •  Eagle Watch Weekend
      • An annual event that occurs on the last weekend of January.
      • Live bird of prey programs, educational stations, spotting scopes/birdwatching, children's programming, and more.
      • Collaboration between the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center, Starved Rock Lodge, Illinois Waterway Visitor Center, and Utica Village Hall.
      • Event Schedule 
  • February
    • Annual Starved Rock Art Show
      • Located at the Starved Rock Visitor Center, inside of the Kaskaskia Room.
      • An entry form is required:
      • Starved Rock Art Show Instructions and Entry Form
      • Entries are due to the Starved Rock Visitor Center between the first weekend of January and the last weekend of January. The visitor center is open daily from 9-4, but closed on New Year's Day and Martin Luther King Day.
      • The show is open to the public from the first weekend of February through the last week of February. The visitor center is open daily from 9-4, but closed on Lincoln's Birthday and President's Day.
      • An award ceremony and reception is held the first Saturday of March for artists and their families.
  • March
    • Starved Rock State Park Community Trail Clean Up
      • Occurs on the last Saturday of March. Starts at 9 a.m. at the Starved Rock Visitor Center. All ages welcome!
      • Litter and graffiti removal along the trails. Tools provided but for work gloves and safety glasses.
      • Volunteers, please email Natural Resources Coordinator, Lisa Sons at lisa.sons@illinois.gov to register.
      • Volunteers, please email Natural Resources Coordinator, Lisa Sons at lisa.sons@illinois.gov to register.
  • June
    • Starved Rock State Park Community Trail Clean Up
      • Occurs the first Saturday of June. Starts at 9 a.m. at the Starved Rock Visitor Center. All ages welcome!
      • Litter and graffiti removal along the trails. Tools provided but for work gloves and safety glasses.
    • Junior Ranger Day
      • Family Event
      • An annual event that occurs on the last Saturday of June.
      • Outdoor educational stations from 10 AM-1 PM behind the Starved Rock Visitor Center.
  • July
    • Starved Rock State Park Community Trail Clean Up
      • Occurs on the last Saturday of July. Starts at 9 a.m. at the Starved Rock Visitor Center. All ages welcome!
      • Litter and graffiti removal along the trails. Tools provided but for work gloves and safety glasses.
      • Volunteers, please email Natural Resources Coordinator, Lisa Sons at lisa.sons@illinois.gov to register.
  • September
    • Starved Rock State Park Community Trail Clean Up
      • Occurs on the last Saturday of September. Starts at 9 a.m. at the Starved Rock Visitor Center. All ages welcome!
      • Litter and graffiti removal along the trails. Tools provided but for work gloves and safety glasses.
  • October
    • Ghosts of Starved Rock's Past
      • Adults and mature youth 12 years and older.
      • An annual event that occurs on the last Saturday of October.
      • Outdoor night hikes to Starved Rock and down along the Illinois River by the Starved Rock Visitor Center, where participants will be greeted by the sordid tales of characters from Starved Rock's past.
      • Register online at Starved Rock Eventbrite starting one month before the date of the program, at 8 a.m.
  • November
    • Starved Rock State Park Community Trail Clean Up
      • Occurs on the first Saturday of November. Starts at 9 a.m. at the Starved Rock Visitor Center. All ages welcome!
      • Litter and graffiti removal along the trails. Tools provided but for work gloves and safety glasses.
      • Volunteers, please email Natural Resources Coordinator, Lisa Sons at lisa.sons@illinois.gov to register.
  • December
    • Annual Starved Rock Photography Show
      • Located at the Starved Rock Visitor Center, inside of the Kaskaskia Room.
      • An entry form is required:
      • Starved Rock Photography Show Instructions and Entry Form
      • Entries are due to the Starved Rock Visitor Center the first weekend of October through the last weekend of November. The visitor center is closed on Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
      • The show is open to the public from the first weekend of December through the last weekend of December. The show will be closed on the second Saturday of December from 10-12 for judging.
      • An award ceremony and reception is held the first Saturday of January (except when it falls on New Year's Day) for the participating photographers and their families.