Park Events

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June Nature Quest for Young Explorers - CANCELLED

Date:

Start Time

June 6, 2026

10:30 AM

So sorry that this event is cancelled. We hope that you are still able to come to the park and enjoy the trails and Visitor's Center.

Junior Ranger Day

Date:

Start Time

June 27, 2026

10:00 AM

Explore different nature, history, outdoor, and safety stations from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to discover the wonders of the environment, wildlife, and beyond. Earn your very own Junior Ranger Badge when you complete the Junior Ranger Guide.

August Nature Quest for Young Explorers

Date:

Start Time

August 1, 2026

10:30 AM

It’s summer break, time to explore the great outdoors with our park naturalists. Register for a fun weekend of nature-based activities.

Bats in the Spotlight Program and Night Hike

Date:

Start Time

August 29, 2026

6:30 PM

Learn about the 13 bat species in Illinois and how they are studied. Join us after the presentation for an acoustic walk to locate bat species with echolocation equipment and biologists from the Illinois Natural History Survey.

Engage with Nature: Bird Migration and Banding

Date:

Start Time

September 19, 2026

9:00 AM

Engage with Nature: Bird Banding and Migration is your chance to get up close and personal with our feathered friends! Join us at the Illinois Canyon Trailhead for a hands-on experience learning about bird banding and migration. Watch as experts carefully capture, tag, and release birds, all while explaining the fascinating process of migration.

Ho-Chunk History, An Illinois Indigenous Tribe.

Date:

Start Time

October 11, 2026

10:00 AM

Gerald Savage will describe the origins of the Ho-Chunk Tribe, the removal of his tribe, relocations, current reservations and settlements, and his family’s relocation to Starved Rock.

Howloween Family Fun Pet Event!

Date:

Start Time

November 1, 2026

9:00 AM

Join us outside of the Starved Rock Visitor Center at the Eagle Roost Cabin for an exciting event packed with activities for both you and your beloved pet. Although Halloween has passed, feel free to don your costumes and dress up your pets in theirs as you enjoy a day filled with treats, fun activities, and a pet parade.

Starved Rock Photography Show - Entries Due!

Date:

Start Time

November 30, 2026

4:00 PM

Entries are accepted between 10/1 and November 30th at the Starved Rock Visitor Center. Forms can be found by scanning the attached QR code. The visitor center will be closed on 11/3, 11/11, 11/26, and 11/27.

Winter Solstice Silent Night Hike

Date:

Start Time

December 21, 2026

5:00 PM

Winter is a great time to enjoy the trails surrounded by the peace of nature with a park naturalist.

Casting Memories Family Fishing Clinic - CANCELLED

Date:

Start Time

June 13, 2026

9:00 AM

Learn about river fishing tactics, Illinois river fish species, and ethical angling practices. Bait, tackle, and instruction provided at no cost.

From Quarry to Conservation Holiday Hike

Date:

Start Time

July 4, 2026

10:00 AM

Join one of our park naturalists for a hike to celebrate Independence Day and the fight to create the 2nd state park in Illinois.

Journey Through the Tallgrass: Prairie Hike

Date:

Start Time

August 9, 2026

7:00 AM

Soak in the sunshine in the expanse of the tallgrass prairie and discover what makes this habitat so special!

Honoring the Hands That Built Our Parks: Holiday Hike

Date:

Start Time

September 7, 2026

10:00 AM

Join one of our park naturalists to celebrate Labor Day and those who built trails, buildings, and structures at the park over the years.

A Historical Insight

Date:

Start Time

September 26, 2026

10:00 AM

The Matthiessen, Hegeler, and Carus Connection highlights the powerhouse that shaped LaSalle County’s economic and cultural landscape, focusing on the partnership between Frederick Matthiessen and Edward C. Hegeler and the M&H Zinc Company.

Leaf Peeping Hike with a Naturalist

Date:

Start Time

October 17, 2026

10:00 AM

Fall has arrived at Starved Rock State Park! Join us for an educational hike along the trails for some tree identification and fall foliage.

Nature’s Beat: Drum Circle Harmony

Date:

Start Time

November 8, 2026

1:00 PM

Come join us for an afternoon of rhythmic bliss at Council Overhang! Our Drum Circle Harmony event will bring together nature enthusiasts and music lovers for a unique experience of connecting with each other and the earth through the power of drumming. No experience necessary - just bring your drum or percussion instrument and let the beats flow! There will be a handful of drums and instruments available for participants to use.

Starved Rock Photography Show

Date:

Start Time

December 5, 2026

9:00 AM

The exhibition will be available throughout December, inviting everyone to come and appreciate the stunning photographs of nature captured by local photographers. The visitor center will be closed on 12/24, 12/25, and 1/1.

Starved Rock Photo Show Award Ceremony

Date:

Start Time

January 3, 2026

10:00 AM

Join us in congratulating our award winners of this year’s Starved Rock Photo Show.

Summer Solstice Hike - CANCELLED

Date:

Start Time

June 21, 2026

9:00 AM

So sorry that this event is cancelled. We hope that you are still able to come to the park and enjoy the trails and Visitor's Center.

July Nature Quest for Young Explorers

Date:

Start Time

July 11, 2026

10:30 AM

It’s summer break, time to explore the great outdoors with our park naturalists. Register for a fun weekend of nature-based activities.

Art in the Park: Nature’s Palette

Date:

Start Time

August 16, 2026

10:00 AM

Create your own masterpiece using inks and paints made out of natural flower and plant materials.

3 Hots and a Cot! The CCC at Starved Rock

Date:

Start Time

September 12, 2026

10:00 AM

Who were the Civilian Conservation Corps? How many CCC camps were located at Starved Rock State Park? Discover park projects from the 1930s in a new light with Natural Resources Coordinator Lisa Sons.

Brew Your Own Bliss

Date:

Start Time

October 3, 2026

10:00 AM

Unleash the secrets of Illinois herbal teas and flavorful coffee. Learn about wild herbal teas, how to turn them into kombucha, root coffees like dandelion and chicory, and roast some green coffee beans. Taste testing will be available!

Ghosts of Starved Rocks Past Guided Night Hike

Date:

Start Time

October 24, 2026

6:00 PM

Come join us at Starved Rock State Park for a spooky evening filled with tales of the park's haunted history. Get ready to hear chilling stories from the ghosts themselves as you are guided along the trails at night.

Finding Thankfulness in Nature Hike

Date:

Start Time

November 28, 2026

8:00 AM

‘Tis the season to be thankful for what we have, and that includes natural spaces like our state parks! Join our park naturalist for a reflective hike through the woods.

Art in the Park: Nature Journaling

Date:

Start Time

December 13, 2026

1:00 PM

Join us at the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center for an enjoyable and creative day as we connect with nature through art. In this workshop, Master Naturalists from the Illinois Extension will guide you in learning how to capture the beauty of the outdoors in your personal nature journal, writing, painting, and sketching your way through each page.

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