This Illinois Park Has Endless Boardwalks And You'll Want To Explore Them All
By Elizabeth Crozier|Published August 03, 2018
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
There is a very popular state park in Illinois that is known for its waterfalls and gorgeous trails, but you may not know that it also has endless boardwalks you need to see. Passing over streams and valleys, these unique trails are a nice change from dirt and pavement.
Discover a unique adventure of fabulous overlooks and bridges. Scroll on for more details.
One of Illinois' most well-known state parks, Starved Rock is 2,630 acres of dense forestry, rocky bluffs, and hidden wonders like waterfalls and scenic overlooks. It is located in Oglesby along the Illinois River In LaSalle County.
There is a legend behind the name of this park. It is believed that during a great battle between the Illinois and Pottawatomie that the Illinois hid in a great rock where they eventually died of starvation.
Comprised of 13 miles of trails to explore, many of which include endless boardwalks, this fantastic state park is free to enter any time of year. Most trails are easy to access, though guests will also find paths with steep hills and rough terrain.
Most of these boardwalks are part of the overlook trails that lead to the tops of rocky bluffs. From the top of these rock formations, you can see Starved Rock in all its glory.
These trails will also take you over streams and sections of the Illinois River. You will likely come across wildlife and possibly even historic artifacts as you wonder through the forest.
Many of these endless boardwalks lead to canyons with incredible waterfalls. It is best to visit the falls in the spring or shortly after a heavy rainfall. Don't forget to bring your camera so you can capture these lovely sights.
In total, this state park is home to 18 canyons that were formed by glacial melt and stream erosion. Waterfalls can typically be found at 14 of them.
Starved Rock State Park is more than just a lovely place to walk around. It is a National Historic Landmark that is also on the U.S. National Register Of Historic Places. If you are visiting from far away, check out the lodge for immaculate rooms, cabins, and other amenities.
