Starved Rock Lodge & Cnfrnc

If you are going to Starved Rock for a quiet weekend, make sure you stay in a cabin! Lots of unsupervised children running the halls, at the pool, etc and no parents to be found. The restaurant is fabulous, as is the architecture of the buildings (built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 30's?). Ask staff when their ""down times"" are and stay then. Trails are nice but crowded on weekends and holidays. If you are looking to getaway from the city, it's close but full of people from the city. Pros: beautiful scenery, near to chicago Cons: crowded weekends, children running wild more

I've been going to starved rock since i was little with my dad. its so enchanting fun for the whole family!!! more

Beautiful, serene, fun! What more can you say? Lodge stay was excellent - food, likewise. Try one of the ""cabins"" in the woods with the fireplace. Pros: Beautiful scenery, Great accommodations, Good Food more

Starved Rock contains many trails for all abilities--park personnel provide maps for easy boardwalk paths with access for physically challenged or easy evening amblers near the lodge, all the way to more serious treks along the bluffs or the muddy banks that require long, fairly steep climbs up and down, hanging onto trees to get past washouts, and other fun! The park provides a great winter experience. Hike for a few hours, watch the eagles, take pictures, (take care on the ice and snow covered trails!), then head to the warm, comfy lodge for some scrumptious fare from the dining room or soak up the warmth from the massive stone fireplace. You will feel comfortable there whether in your Sunday best or your sweaty, dirty hiking duds. Mattheson and Buffalo State Parks nearby also provide horse and hiking trails, but with less crowds than Starved Rock. Pros: Beautiful, Rustic/refined choice, Friendly folks more

If you are an avid hiker, these trails are not for you. Too many decks, stairs, paved paths. Trails not marked as rugged, moderate, etc. My 10-year old daughter was even disappointed. If you want to hang out in a realtively beautiful area, minus real adventure, then this is a good place. Pros: Parking, Staff, Nice Facility more

The park is beautiful but very crowded. My husband got his wallet stolen from his pocket. Fortunately, the theif dropped it and someone found it and returned it to us. Be careful when out there. The park is too dog friendly. They are everywhere, sometime even without a leash. There should be some ""no dogs allowed"" areas for safety of kids. Pros: Beautiful place, free Cons: Crowded, some safety concerns more

I grew up in the area and Starved Rock has always been one of my favorite places. Quiet, peaceful, beautiful, inspiring... I have been all over the country and have been hard pressed to find scenery this breath taking. You must try the restaurant, and ask for a listing of wines from local wineries. Illinois and Michigan have some great wines to offer and Starved Rock lodge offers a few of them. Friendly people, clean facilities, plenty of room, great food... the total package! Pros: Scenery, Clean, Historical more

Miles upon miles of trails ranging from paved with slight grades to barely disernable swatches cut across a ravines and along huge cliffs. The waterfalls and brooks that are prevelant throughout the deeper paths make you think of times long ago. more

Excellent getaway spot for Chicagoans. Lots of great hiking, historic rivertowns nearby (with local, Midwest antique shops & good, home-style restaurants), and all within just 2 hours from the city. Pros: Great trails Cons: Can be very crowded more

Grew up in the area is wonderful for hiking, camping or staying at the lodge for a relaxing weekend. more

Beautiful...in every way possible and every body is so nice Pros: nice peopl more

beautiful rocks and it is so clean.great for exersizing. Loved it. more

Starved Rock is a great place to goto. But u have to know which paths to take and at what time of year. A few have spetacular waterfalls in the summmer and early spring. Even though i dont recommend it for everyone, I often stray off of the marked paths. I carry a backpack with water, bandages, and my pocket fisherman fishing pole. There are plenty of places where to scale a good rock wall and follow a steam all the way to its beginning, from above the water fall. The river provides excellent fishing. But watch out for the flies and trash. Overall I would say that its a good place to spend a weekend but I have seen alot better places to hike. Pros: good fishing, pretty good waterfall, canyon views r good Cons: too many stairs, damn flies and bugs, too many people more

I grew up near Starved Rock, and it has always been one of my favorite places to hike. It's beautiful--especially in the fall, with the leaves changing--and the hiking is not too challenging. Rugged, rocky terrain. Great renovated lodge, perfect for a romantic weekend getaway; in winter you can sit around the huge hearth and get cozy. Pros: beautiful, natural Cons: 90 miles from chicago more