GETAWAYS
Starved Rock &/or Matthiessen State Park,
Jan 21-22, 2026
Jan 21 or 22
1-day
$40.00
Jan 21-22
2-days
$100.00
Difficulty Rating
Miles
4+ miles on Day 1, 4+ miles on Day 2.
These parks’ amazing trails treat you to towering icefalls, canyons, glittering streams, eagles, history, and woodlands! It is absolutley gorgeous here with the bonus of being on the Illinois River and seeing the bald eagles. It’s no wonder this is the #1 state park in Illinois.
Choose between making this trip a Getaway, and spending the night at the Starved Rock Lodge for two days of magnificent hiking and the comraderie of dinner together and a game night, or make it a one long day trip.
An overnight stay at the historic log-built Starved Rock Lodge includes a hot tub, sauna, and large pool.
What to Bring
large water bottle for each day
Hiking stick
Warm outer layer, hats & gloves
Hiking boots with boot grips. Either YakTrax Pro or Kahtoola microspikes.
Phone/camera
Dress in layers, non-cotton
Backpack
Hotel
Please make your own reservation at:
Starved Rock Lodge: One Lodge Lane, Oglesby, IL 61348
(815) 667-4211 or toll-free 1-(800) 868-7625
This great hotel offers a hot tub, 2 saunas, and a large indoor pool.
All rooms include WiFi, mini fridge, micro, TV, hair dryer, iron/board, and toiletries, single serve coffee.
Room rates are $160.00 plus tax in the Modern wing of the lodge. Ask for Senior discount, if applies, is $128.00 plus tax
Driving Directions
Wednesday: Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center
2678 East 875th Road, Oglesby, IL 61348
Thursday: Starved Rock Lodge Lobby
One Lodge Lane, Oglesby, IL 61348
DAY 1
Our hike begins from the Visitor Center and we will caravan over to Matthiessen State Park. Beginning on the upper canyon and winding our way down to the lower canyon and the frozen river. After exploring the caves and canyons we will head back to the lodge for lunch.
After lunch we will hike the Wildcat Canyon. An amazing frozen waterfall that is 90 feet high. From Wildcat, we will venture to French Canyon and with its the cascading icefall. Finally, our exploration will take us to look for eagles at the Lock and Dam and Plum Island.
This is a total of 4+ miles between the two hikes, including many stairs. Boot Grips are mandatory!
Check in to your hotel and freshen up before dinner.
Dinner at the historic Starved Rock lodge. Enjoy a delicious dinner (on your own cost) and the warm camaraderie.
Savor free time to swim, soak tired muscles in a hot tub, join in group games in the great room, or simply relax.
DAY 2
Breakfast on your own. Meals available at Starved Rock Lodge.
Our hike begins at the Starved Rock Lodge lobby, and we will caravan over to LaSalle, Ottawa, and Kaskaskia Canyons. These canyons wow us with their magnificent overhangs, cliffs that tower 100 feet above us, and more ice falls! Lunch back at the Lodge again, and from there we can walk to the infamous St. Louis Canyon, the trail known for it’s beautiful ridgeway, and another gorgeous 80 foot cascading icefall. A truly magical place.
This is a total of 4+ miles including many stairs. Boot Grips are mandatory.
Head home—feeling invigorated from exploring the ice falls and being with friends.
Registration Cost
Included in booking:
2 guides for 2 days of hiking and evening camaraderie
Itinerary and areas of interest
Not included:
Hotel room
All meals
Cancellations
You may cancel your Getaway to Starved Rock for a full refund if made 30 days in advance.
If you cancel less than 30 days, a refund will be made if your spot can be filled from a wait list.
If you cancel less than 72 hours, Trailbound will not refund your registration.
Please email: hello@trailboundtrip.com to request a cancellation.
Itinerary may change due to weather.