Starved Rock Campground

Crowded!

Definitely come to Starved Rock for the hiking. Dog friendly trails as long as they’re on leash. We came off season, around October, so we didn’t get the big crowds or see any raccoons. Facilities were pretty clean too! Highly recommend camping off season!

Beautiful canyons

Prepare for a lot of people. Popular site but great for those looking to get away in the Midwest.

Starved Rock is a lot of fun if you go in the off-season or early in the morning. I went in late October thinking no one would be out and found it was physically difficult to walk on the Starved Rock paths because there were so many people - you had to turn sideways! The campgrounds were even full and parking was overflow as people parked on the streets leading into the area. I suggest going in the morning in the winter as it's gorgeous. Wear yaktraks or similarly tractioned footing as the walkways can be very slippery. The waterfalls are beautiful when frozen!

Should you hike at Starved Rock? Heck yeah, it's gorgeous. Should you try to find a place to camp there? Not if you want to sleep. I've tried camping at the campgrounds within the park twice now (probably closer to seven times if you count the times I looked and the sites were all booked.) I absolutely love this park, but the campgrounds flood, the raccoons have formed a food-jacking motorcycle gang, and the other campers don't understand "quiet time." Go for the waterfalls and the trails, but stay at one of the private campgrounds nearby.

Stayed here back in 2006. The campsites are typical for state parks, close.
I didn't keep which site we were at. Modern bathrooms & showers.
The hiking is fantastic! There's a beautiful visitor center also. We stayed 3 nights & explored the area.

There are three state parks right around here and this is a fun destination. The raccoons at this campground are very aggressive. As night falls, they come up from the canyons near the campground. Five of them trotted right past us.

Love Starved Rock for hiking, but not camping. Hickory Hollow is 2 miles away and we always prefer to stay there. Family owned, nice grounds, and away from the crowds. Day hike at starved rock, but stay at any other camping resort outside of the park.