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Lisa Sons, Natural Resource Coordinator

Are you planning a trip for your group, school, summer camp, or scout outing? Park staff can help you plan a guided hike or an 1-hour long program.  Groups of 10 to 30 participants can be accommodated on-site during the months of November through May (Wednesday-Fridays only).  Groups of 10-100 can be accommodated June through the end of October when seasonal naturalists are available to assist the park's Natural Resources Coordinator (Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays).  Weekends are not available due to the attendance the park receives throughout the year, and staff are needed to manage the visitor center and visitor services. Educational programs and interpretive hikes are designed to educate visitors on the park's natural and cultural resources (history, geology, and ecology). Please note that these are strictly educational hikes and not sightseeing tours to popular park features (please reach out to the Starved Rock Lodge for boat, trolley, and hike tours of this nature). 

Please contact Lisa Sons, Natural Resources Coordinator at lisa.sons@illinois.gov to plan your program or hike!

Please keep in mind that all groups of 20 or more visitors must complete and submit an Activity Permit to DNR.StarvedRock@illinois.gov. 

Educational Resources

IDNR Educational Resource Trunks

Educational trunks on various topics such as trees, birds, pollinators, and more are available at the Visitor Center for loan. Please view the IDNR Division of Education page to learn more! Trunks may be reserved by emailing lisa.sons@illinois.gov. Trunks are an educational resource for educators to utilize on their own with their group or classroom either offsite or onsite at the park.

Seasonal Educational Packets

Starved Rock Sapling's seasonal packets are filled with activities and resources that children can use onsite at Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks or at home!  Parents, guardians, and educators can utilize each packet to help their young naturalists discover, connect, and explore the outdoor world. 

Junior Ranger Program

Starved Rock has its' own Junior Ranger program!  Junior Ranger booklets are available at the front desk of the visitor center which is open daily from 9 to 4 but for holidays such as Juneteenth, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Those that turn in their completed booklet to the front desk will earn their very own Junior Ranger badge!

 

Activity Permits

(Required for all Groups of 20 or more People)

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Land Management requires any group of 20 or more persons who use Department facilities to have advance written permission from the Site Superintendent.

Regardless of group size, the Department may require additional liability coverage to be provided through an Activity Permit. Release of Liability can be used if your organization, family, or school does not have liability insurance. Site managers may deny the request if the facilities are not adequate to handle the size of the group if public health or safety might be compromised, if the liability risk to the Department is too great, or if there would be adverse impacts on natural resources at the site.

All organized groups, family gatherings, and school field trips are required to follow the State of Illinois Administrative Rules including groups of 15 minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. Administrative rules can be viewed here.

Activity Permits are to be used whenever a non-traditional use of any facility is requested (for example - a family reunion in the picnic area) and/or any activity that might increase potential liability to the Department (for example - search and rescue teams practicing on rock faces). These requests need to be made at least 21 days in advance of the activity and forwarded to the Regional Office for processing.

Guidelines for Completing Activity Permits

  1. Complete the Activity Permit at least 2-3 weeks before the scheduled visit and email the permit to DNR.StarvedRock@illinois.gov. A $25 permit fee is due the day of your group's visit in the form of cash or check to the IDNR at the front desk of the Starved Rock Visitor Center.

  2. Acquire Proof of Liability Insurance (business, school, or organization can ask their administrator or main office) or have each participant sign the Release of Liability Form ahead of time.

  3. Email, mail, or drop off the completed Activity Permit and Proof of Liability Insurance together (if you do not have proof of liability insurance you can complete the Release of Liability Waiver to turn in at the front desk of the Starved Rock Visitor Center the day of your visit) to DNR.StarvedRock@illinois.gov at least 2-3 weeks before the scheduled visit.

    Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center
    PO Box 509
    Utica, IL 61373

  4. The Site Superintendent will respond within 2-3 weeks from the time the permit was handed in with an approval or denial of the group visit through email (DNR.StarvedRock@illinois.gov) or phone at 1-815-667-4726.

 

Upcoming Programs and Events

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