Starved Rock’s main parking lot closed due to floodwaters

The main parking lot is closed by the Illinois River and Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center due to rising floodwaters.

Events scheduled to take place Saturday for Eagle Watch Weekend have been relocated because of the flooding.

Events set to take place at the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center have been moved to the gym at Utica Village Hall, 801 S. Clark St.

Events planned for Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center have been moved to Starved Rock Lodge, except for guided hikes, which still will depart from the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

If floodwaters allow for Dee Bennett Road to be open to the Illinois Waterway, events will run as scheduled Sunday.

The Starved Rock Lodge trolley shuttle will run Saturday and Sunday to the Illinois Waterway. Wristbands are $5 per person. Pay with cash upon boarding, or pay with a credit card at the Starved Rock Lodge activities center.

All hikers heading out on guided eagle hikes are asked to park in the gravel overflow parking lot off the south entrance to the park from Route 71, follow the trail to the lodge and take the staircase behind the lodge, following the signs down to the visitor center.

Hikers are asked to give themselves plenty of time – about 30 minutes – from the parking lot to the visitor center to check in on time for their guided hike.

Trails are not affected by the floodwaters. Trails outside the path the group is taking to Starved Rock will be a mixture of puddles, mud, slush and ice in canyon entrances.

All events occurring at the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center, Starved Rock Lodge and Utica Welcome Center will take place as planned.

At noon Friday, the National Weather Service said it expected the Illinois River to rise to 8 feet above flood stage at the Starved Rock Lock and Dam by Sunday morning. That projection keeps the river within “minor” flooding levels but only 2 feet below moderate flooding.

Area residents are advised to watch for updates.