Starved Rock State Park facts for kids
Starved Rock State Park is a special state park in the Illinois state. It is famous for its many beautiful canyons. The park covers about 2,630 acres. You can find it near the village of Utica in LaSalle County, Illinois. It sits right next to the Illinois River. Lots of people visit Starved Rock State Park every year. In fact, over two million visitors come here, making it the most popular state park in Illinois!
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Exploring Starved Rock State Park
Starved Rock State Park is a wonderful place to visit. It is known for its amazing natural beauty. The park has many deep canyons. These canyons were formed by melting glaciers and flowing water. They create stunning waterfalls, especially after it rains or snow melts.
What Makes Starved Rock Special?
The park is named after a tall sandstone bluff. This bluff overlooks the Illinois River. The area is full of unique rock formations. You can see tall cliffs and interesting caves. The park's landscape is very different from other places in Illinois. It offers great views and exciting trails.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
There are many activities you can enjoy at Starved Rock. Hiking is very popular. The park has over 13 miles of trails. These trails lead to different canyons and waterfalls. You can also go fishing in the Illinois River. In winter, some people enjoy cross-country skiing. The park also has a lodge where visitors can stay. It is a great place for families and friends to explore nature.
History of Starved Rock
Starved Rock has a long and interesting history. Native American tribes lived here for thousands of years. Later, French explorers arrived in the area.
Early Explorers and Settlements
One famous explorer was René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle. He was a French explorer. He built the first French settlement in northern Illinois. This happened a long time ago. The area was important for trade and travel.
Becoming a State Park
The land became a state park in 1911. This helped protect its natural beauty. It also made it a place for everyone to enjoy. Over the years, more land was added to the park. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped build many of the park's features. They built trails, bridges, and buildings. Their work made the park even better for visitors.
Images for kids
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St. Louis Canyon waterfall
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Portrait of René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, who built the first French settlement in northern Illinois
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Ferdinand Walther constructed the Starved Rock Hotel for his resort, seen here c. 1905, which no longer exists. In 1911 he sold the resort to the State of Illinois. The "rock" is the bluff in the upper right.
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Postcard from the 1930s or 1940s showing various locations in the park.
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Starved Rock (red marker) in Starved Rock State Park (green).
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Starved Rock archeological dig 1974
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Shaky Shelter Site
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Wildcat Canyon Waterfall
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French Canyon, August 2013
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Interior view of the lodge
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Exterior view of the lodge
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Pelican wood carving in the remains of a tree near the lodge, one of many such on the lodge grounds.
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Starved Rock Lock and Dam facility viewed from The Rock.
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