2026 Calendar
Photo Submissions

Each year, the Starved Rock Foundation publishes a stunning wall calendar celebrating the beauty of Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks — and every image comes from park visitors and photographers like you.

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We invite you to submit your favorite images for consideration in the 2026 Starved Rock & Matthiessen Calendar, which will be released in October 2025.

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Photo submissions are open now through July 31, 2025. Click here to submit photo(s).

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About the Calendar & Fundraiser

The Starved Rock & Matthiessen Calendar is one of the Foundation’s largest and most impactful fundraisers — and a true community project. 100% of proceeds go directly to supporting Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks. All participating retailers and partners donate their time and efforts. ​

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With strong support from park visitors, local businesses, regional tourism bureaus, and the Miller Group Charitable Trust, the 2025 edition raised $15,000 for the parks — the largest calendar contribution to date. Calendars have been shipped across the United States, to London, Australia, and beyond — sharing the beauty of our parks with a global audience.

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Why Submit?

Park visitors, photographers, and the general public are all invited to submit their photographs. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase your talent and help share the natural beauty of Starved Rock and Matthiessen with hundreds of supporters.

 

Contributors selected for final inclusion will be recognized both digitally and on the printed 2026 calendar itself. The calendar will be sold at the Starved Rock Foundation’s LeRocher Bookstore and Gift Shop inside the Starved Rock Visitor Center, as well as through many local businesses and regional outlets.

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Submission Guidelines

We welcome a wide variety of images that capture the parks’ beauty, wildlife, seasons, landscapes, and special moments. Both amateur and professional photographers are encouraged to submit.

Please follow these guidelines:

• Images must have been taken at Starved Rock State Park or Matthiessen State Park

• Images must be nature-focused (no people or pets, please)

• Images that present historical significance will also be considered

• High-resolution images required (300 dpi preferred)

• No watermarks or text on images

• You may submit multiple images

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Submission Deadline: July 31, 2025

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How to Submit

Use the form below to submit your image(s) for consideration.

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We can’t wait to see the parks through your lens — and to share your images with park lovers across the region and around the world!