Enjoying Illinois: The Best Chicagoland Hikes
I think Chicago is one of the greatest cities in the world. But every time I tell people about outdoorsy things to do in the region, they look at me like I’m crazy.
With all the museums, restaurants, and sights, it’s easy to dismiss Chicago’s outdoor offerings. But Chicagoland is home to tons of amazing urban parks, forest preserves, and my personal favorite—Starved Rock State Park.
LaSalle Canyon at Starved Rock State Park
Starved Rock is only 90 minutes from Chicago. If you’re coming from the Loop, it’s basically a straight shot via I-55 and I-80. Located in LaSalle County along the Illinois River—Starved Rock boasts beautiful waterfalls, moss-covered sandstone canyons that were formed by glacial activity, and 13 miles of trails—giving hikers a first-hand look at the canyons, wetlands, forests, and tall-grass prairie. Bonus: the park is dog friendly and free to enter!
Because many of the trails are interconnected, you can easily choose your own adventure at the park. Here are the trails we enjoyed:
French, Wildcat, and LaSalle Canyons (approximately 4 miles, moderate). This multi-surface system of trails includes sand/dirt trails, boardwalks, and sidewalks. The trail has quite a few steps, which led us to a boardwalk along the bluffs for a great view of the river and the Starved Rock bluff. As the boardwalk weaved through the cedars, it provided us with some great viewpoints (Lover’s Leap and Eagle Cliff overlooks) before winding down to take us along the river and (eventually) to LaSalle Canyon. On the way back, we hiked the top of Wildcat Canyon. The forest around here was so beautiful! This trail is considered moderate, and I can see why—with varying terrain and a 400-feet gain. It’s tempting to scramble/climb the sandstone canyons, but just. Don’t. It’s prohibited. Be a good human.
Sandstone canyons comprise much of the geological features at Starved Rock State Park.
St. Louis Canyon Trail (2.1 miles, easy): This sandy-dirt trail is well-maintained—but watch out for the roots, knots, and rocks along the way! There were tons of steps at the beginning of the trail (elevation gain of 230 feet!), so it’s not the easiest for the pups. After that, it’s smooth sailing. I recommend hiking boots or trail runners for this one. The route gave us a solid view of multiple canyons, then led us along a small creek before St. Louis Canyon. There was a bit of water at the canyon even though it’s been dry lately.
After our hike, we stopped for a craft beer and cheese curds at Starved Rock Lodge Restaurant. They also have great mains on the menu, including local walleye and blue gill. We had great weather, so we sat on the veranda with the dogs and enjoyed the view.
If hiking’s not your thing, you can also camp, fish, boat, and hunt in the park. Or, take it slow—enjoy the sights and bring a picnic! In addition to providing information about the park, the visitor center offers snacks and a great gift shop. Starved Rock is also a nice place to spot wildlife including eagles, other birds, coyote, and foxes. We’ve been to the park twice now, and we really enjoy it.
Want to get away from the crowds and enjoy summertime in Chicagoland? Why not give Starved Rock State Park a try?