Starved Rock State Park – Campgrounds, IL

This article is about camping at the Starved Rock Campgrounds. I have posted a little background of Starved Rock State Park below. These campgrounds are outside of the better known Starved Rock area which makes this campsite great for Matthiessen State Park as well – see our hike article here: https://www.hike360vr.com/matthiessen-state-park-il/

The campground is open all year round (except for the weekend before Thanksgiving).  Campground gates are opened from 8:30 am until 10:00 pm. The Campground Permit Booth lists information on self registration for walk-in sites (first come- first serve) on the outside of the building upon entering the campground.  All sites are available for reservation.  Reservations must be made more than 3 days in advance and out to 6 months prior to the date of your arrival.  Reservations are made online at www.reserveamerica.com. 

Starved Rock State Park on the Illinois River bluff in La Salle County is one of Illinois’​ most beautiful destinations.  The park’s 18 canyons feature vertical walls of moss-covered stone formed by glacial meltwater that slice dramatically through tree-covered sandstone bluffs.  More than 13 miles of trails allow access to waterfalls, fed season runoff or natural springs, sandstone overhangs, and spectacular overlooks.  Lush vegetation supports abundant wildlife, while oak, cedar and pine grow on drier, sandy bluff tops.

Recreational opportunities abound, from hiking to camping to fishing, boating and hunting. Special events are scheduled throughout the year.  The Starved Rock Visitor Center is open year-round, and the 1930s-era stone and log Starved Rock Lodge offers luxury lodging, cabin rooms, and fine dining.   For lodge reservations, call 1-800-868-ROCK (800-868-7625) or 815-667-4211, or visit the lodge website.

Starved Rock State Park’s cultural history can be traced to 8000 B.C., with Native Americans tribes and European explorers documenting villages and encampments near the park along the banks of the Illinois River.  The park’s name is derived from a Native American legend of a band of Illiniwek who died of starvation atop the 125-foot sandstone butte.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Starved Rock Campgrounds Map https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Camp/Documents/campground%202020.pdf

Winter Camping

Setting up in the dark is challenging. With the sun setting before we even begin our drive, the dark is the only option we have. We didn’t take any winter camping videos during our set-up because it was always dark, but you’ll get the idea from this time lapse.

REI Offer

As I enjoy my morning coffee, I take you on a tour of campsites 18, 19, 20 & 21 at the Starved Rock State Park Campgrounds. The campgrounds come equipped with a picnic table, fire-pit and RV outlets. There is a wheel-chair accessible restroom in the center of the campgrounds.

KÜHL Clothing Offer

We are strolling around the campgrounds at Starved Rock State Park. Before you enter these campgrounds there is a firewood dispensing vending machine. The Starved Rock campgrounds are open year-round. Starved Rock also has cabins available to sleep in.

We are walking in between the two sections of campgrounds and couldn’t help but to stop and listen to these birds. There must have been a hundred birds (maybe more) going crazy.

Osprey Offer

Using an absorbent towel would have been good here. We wake up to a cold, frost covered campsite with cold, frost covered tents. We had to pack our tents up wet & heavy this morning.

MSR Offer