Park Events

An afternoon of reptile and amphibian meet and greets! Seating is limited and when full, doors will close. There are 2 shows so if you don�t make it for the 11:30 a.m. show you can attend the 1 p.m. show.

Join Lisa Sons in a step-by-step watercolor painting workshop as you paint your own canyon in the fall.

Bring children age 3-10 out to the park, where they will learn about forests through a storybook, activity, and hike through the woods. An adult chaperone must be present.

Join Natural Resource Coordinator Lisa Sons in a step-by-step watercolor painting workshop as you paint your own canyon in fall.

Join park naturalists leading an educational and fun storytime on endangered species and participate in an activity afterwards. For children age 3-10 with an adult guardian present.

Guided hike led by park naturalists and volunteers, showcasing the beauty of fall colors, geology, and the park history. Covers several large staircases and up to 2 miles roundtrip. 2 times will be offered: 10:00AM and 1:00PM

Help keep your park clean! Bring your friends, family, even your neighbors, out to Starved Rock State Park and lend a hand along the trails. Grab a litter picker and bag from the visitor center and hit the trails to help nature stay green and clean for both wildlife, plants, and people who enjoy time outdoors. Meet at the Visitor Center at 9:00 am.Email Natural Resources Coordinator Lisa Sons to register for the fall clean up at lisa.sons@illinois.gov.

Take a night hike to the top of Starved Rock and hear characters from the past tell tales. Tours offered every 15 minutes from 6:00pm-7:00pm

Join art teacher Georgia Braun for a fun afternoon where you will learn how to make ink from nature. Children ages 10-17.

Join Incredible Bats Incorporated as they present an educational and informative program on bats and other misunderstood animals. Presenters will aid the audience in taking a closer look at animals that have given people phobias, but in reality are important to many of Earth's ecosystems.

There are 2 separate show times: 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Tickets (free) will be given out at the front desk of the Starved Rock Visitor Center the day of the presentation. Seating is limited to 80 participants per show and once the room is full the show will be closed to further participants. Tickets cannot be secured in advance of the program day.

A great way to spend a Saturday morning at the park is joining a park naturalist for a storybook, craft, and activity discovering seeds! Tree seeds and plant seeds are abundant in fall. Some pop, some smell, some float on wind, and some provide valuable food for wildlife.

Starved Rock Saplings is suitable for 3 to 10 year old children with an accompanying adult as chaperone. Programs are always free but donations to the Starved Rock Foundation which provides program supplies is always appreciated.

Email lisa.sons@illinois.gov to register!

Guided hike led by park naturalists and volunteers, showcasing the beauty of fall colors, geology, and the park history. Covers several large staircases and up to 2 miles roundtrip. 2 times will be offered: 10:00AM and 1:00PM