Falltober Fest at the Rock 2023
Join park staff, volunteers, and park visitors for a fun filled day at Starved Rock State Park’s Falltober Fest 2023 and other events around the park, lodge, and nearby campground!
Starved Rock State Park
Starved Rock Saplings - Going Batty - 9:30am
We will be going batty at the park for Falltober Fest on October 21st. Join us for a fun kids program that morning where we will read a storybook on bats, explore the different species of bats found in Illinois, and play a fun game about bats and their favorite food moths!
Join park staff and volunteer naturalists on a guided hike to view the fall foliage at the park on October 21, at 10:00am and 1:00pm.
Registration opens on September 21 for each hike at Starved Rock Eventbrite online.Hikes are free and suitable for all ages. Up to 2 miles of trails will be covered as well asseveral major staircases. Not suitable for dogs. Participants must be pre-registered please.
Calling all animal lovers! Discover animals from all over the world during a fun and educational program presented by Incredible Bats.
Pre-registration on Starved Rock Eventbrite is needed to attend this one of a kind live animal show on Saturday, October 21, at 11 a.m.
Native American Ghost Stories - 2:00pm
What are the scary stories of the first Americans? From the dawn of time, North America has been inhabited with monsters and windigoes, vampire skeletons and evil manitou. Join storyteller Brian Fox' Ellis in this terrifying tour of American Indian haunted legends and folklore. Stories from many nations are woven together with traditional chants that are sure to send a shiver down the spine of even the bravest listeners.
Storyteller Brian Fox Ellis will be on site during Starved Rock State Park's Falltober Fest on October 21, at 2 p.m. Bring out the family for an hour of Native American ghost stories.
All IDNR/state park programs are FREE but donations to the Starved Rock Foundation on site are more than welcome. Most programs at the park are made possible through funding from donations to the Starved Rock Foundation, the not-for-profit friends group at the park (not to be confused with the Starved Rock Community Foundation).
Starved Rock State Park is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The mission of the IDNR is to manage, conserve and protect Illinois' natural, recreational and cultural resources, further the public's understanding and appreciation of those resources, and promote the education, science, and public safety of Illinois' natural resources for present and future generations.
Starved Rock Lodge
Fall Colors Trolley Tour - 9:30am & 11:00am
Starved Rock State Park is known for its beautiful fall foliage in October. Experience this spectacular display on our Fall Colors Trolley Tours. These tours include a 45 minute, guided hike to two of our majestic canyons, a trolley ride and lunch in the restaurant.
Take a Hike & a Lunch - 10:00am
Discover Starved Rock's canyons, bluffs and seasonal waterfalls on this 3-mile (round trip) guided hike. Listen as the guide tells stories of how Starved Rock got its name along with other legends of the area. Break for lunch at the halfway point.
Lunch includes your choice of turkey, ham or veggie wrap, snacks and bottled water. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Hike will vary upon group skill and trail conditions. *Boxed lunch and souvenir drawstring backpack included. Reservations required.
Starved Rock Kayak Campground
Starved Rock Guided Kayak Tours - 9:00am, 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm, and 2:00pm
See what hikers can't see! For this kayak tour you will be kayaking for approx. 2 hours. The views from your kayak are amazing! Wear old gym shoes, water shoes (no flip flops), or closed toe sandals.
This is an out and back kayak tour which means you will be returning to the starting point. No shuttle is needed for this kayak tour.
FREE VISITORS GUIDE
FREE VISITORS GUIDE
