Starved Rock

Visitors flocked to Starved Rock State Park and nearby Utica for Bald Eagle Weekend on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. Free live birds of prey shows were hosted by the Illinois Raptor Center, Stillman Nature Center, Hoo Haven, and Wildlife Prairie Park. The Village of Utica also hosted eagle ice carvings.

Lawyers for Chester Weger have termed it a “mini-trial” and said they’ll introduce evidence, not available decades ago, showing Weger was wrongly convicted of murder. The mini-trial begins May 12.

Ice climbers descended inside Wildcat Canyon on Friday, Jan. 24, at Starved Rock State Park. The waterfalls tend to freeze in January at Matthiessen and Starved Rock State Parks. Climbers need to sign in and out at the front of the Park Maintenance Building across from the Visitor Center. Climbing is allowed only in four canyons at the park.

Eagle Watch Weekend and Penguin Plunge highlight a weekend of activities in the Illinois Valley that include some Valentine's Day themed activities.

Waterfalls, rivers and streams are completely frozen throughout the Illinois Valley as an Arctic blast brings frigid temperatures to the region.

During the recent cold snap, the Illinois River was frozen in portions between Ottawa and La Salle.

Heritage Corridor Destinations held an open house on Jan. 8 for its new office at 701 Essington Road, Suite 100 in Joliet. Attendees at the open house included business partners, community leaders and stakeholders.

There's no need to be dormant during the winter – check out this list of ways to stay lively all season.

Take a winter nature hike or enjoy comedy, art or Christian music, there's something for people looking to head outdoors or stay inside this weekend in the Illinois Valley.

The Starved Rock Photography Show award reception was held on Saturday at the Starved Rock Visitors Center. The contest had 67 entries from all over the United States. Jim Rendant won best of show with his image of milkweed.

A Prairie Singers performance, disco bowling, ice skating, a wildlife trolley tour and a card and collectible show are among the activities in the Illinois Valley this weekend.

Visitors flocked to one of the Utica-area state parks in 2024, filling the parking lots and smashing attendance records along the way. It wasn’t Starved Rock, however.

The Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce revamped its annual awards to align with the organization’s mission statement; building business, connecting communities. Three members were honored Thursday.

Starved Rock Lodge, Grand Bear Resort to host New Year's Eve parties for all ages.

Enjoy family-friendly holiday events at Starved Rock Lodge in Oglesby.

These six amazing artisan businesses are crafting appealing presents and stocking stuffers.

Whether you can get away for an afternoon or an entire weekend, here are some destinations to help get you started.

Illinois Valley Flute Ensemble will present the 33rd annual Festival of Flutes at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, in Peru and Flutes by the Fireplace at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, at the Great Hall of the Starved Rock Lodge.

Chester Weger has not yet succeeded in overturning his murder conviction – but a judge ruled Friday he can keep trying.

Each season at Starved Rock State Park brings its own unique charm and opportunities for exploration.

There will be opportunities to holiday shop and take part in season activities this weekend during Princeton's Christmas Walk and the Holiday Market at the Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center.

The trees are in full fall splendor at Starved Rock and Matthiessen state parks. Here are some photos of the fall colors throughout the parks. Aerial photos were taken with permission of Starved Rock and Matthiessen state parks.

Starved Rock and Matthiessen calendars are available for purchase in stores and preorder online, with 100% of the proceeds being donated to the Starved Rock Foundation.

This weekend two Illinois State Historical Society markers will be dedicated in Ottawa, including one commemorating a trip Ernest Hemingway made through Ottawa.

These mini cabins offer a glamping retreat in the woods.

A Park City man grabbed a hold of a tree along a trail to get a better view of the Hennepin Canyon at Starved Rock State Park on Saturday afternoon. He slipped, turned 180 degrees and lost his grip of the tree trunk, falling 81 feet into the canyon.

The Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church, through its Anti-Racism Task Force and its Committee on Native American Ministries, will host an Indigenous Peoples Day celebration 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lodge and Conference Center at Starved Rock State Park.

Starved Rock State Park was voted Illinois' most popular state park for 2024, beating out 26 other parks in its category, according to the Illinois State Park Fundraiser hosted by the Illinois Conservation Foundation.

Enjoy a fall colors trolley tour or cruise, guided hikes or a ghost tour.

The Bureau, La Salle, Marshall and Putnam County Master Naturalists welcomed 19 new volunteers Sept. 17 to their ranks.

There’s a wide range of comfortable lodging destinations where you can refresh and recharge for another fun-filled day of hiking, boutique shopping and artisan spirit sampling.

Financial Plus Credit Union recently made a $2,500 donation to the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation’s third annual Stayin’ Alive Disco Ball.

The free Starved Rock Saplings Children’s Program is set for 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Starved Rock Visitor Center/Eagle’s Roost Cabin.

The 31st campaign for the Starved Rock Civil War Round Table kicks off on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at Ottawa High School with a program on the “Wigwam Win” and its effect on the Civil War.

The Starved Rock Country Community Foundation's third annual Stayin' Alive Disco Ball will feature food vendors, an auction, a light show and more.

Autumn is written into my bones – so much so that these shifts in the atmosphere that take place each year register deep within my soul.

Captain’s Cove Bar and Grill in rural Ottawa is set to close. An official closing date soon will be announced for the waterfront restaurant at Starved Rock Marina.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.) disclosed Saturday that she’s fielded queries about how to elevate Starved Rock State Park into a national park – though there is no pending legislation or imminent action.

From serene river cruises to extreme off-roading, you’ll find something in the region that’s sure to thrill everyone.

Paddling for Pets announced its second annual Witches on the Water fundraiser, taking place on Saturday, Sept. 21, near Starved Rock State Park.

Oglesby is clearing the way for short-term accommodations, such as Airbnbs.

A man died Saturday afternoon after falling from a ledge at Illinois Canyon in Starved Rock State Park.

Visitors to the Starved Rock Family Campground in La Salle may have a new energy source as early as September, thanks in part to a federal grant.

The Starved Rock and Matthiessen Calendar is returning for the 2025 calendar year with 100% of proceeds being donated to the Starved Rock Foundation.

Enjoy live entertainment, guided hikes and delicious meals during your weekend getaway in Starved Rock Country.

Dave’s Traveling World of Reptiles will visit the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center for two shows Sunday, Aug. 4.

A 76-year-old DeKalb man was taken by ambulance to OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa after falling about 25 feet down a slope near La Salle Canyon at Starved Rock State Park and into a creek, conservation police said.

Utica, Oglesby Fire and EMS along with Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police responded Wednesday to rescue a man who slipped and fell about 25 feet at La Salle Canyon at Starved Rock State Park. The man was not cited.

Starved Rock and Matthiessen park visitors are being asked if they see a downed tree over the trail to take a picture and send the location to dnr.starvedrock@illinois.gov.

Artist, poet, language arts instructor and entrepreneur René Parks Wendinger of Streator has been hired by the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation to head its arts program.