Search For Sadie

Sadie is Starved Rock’s famous bald eagle! She loves to soar above the icy river and perch in tall trees along the winter trails. Keep your eyes open as you hike along the trails, visit our canyons, warm up by the fireplace at the Lodge, buy a gift at the Visitor’s Center, watch for eagles at the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center, or visit the Utica Welcome center.

Places to look:
- Utica Welcome Center
- Illinois Waterway Visitor Center
- Starved Rock Lodge
- Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center
- Starved Rock Park Trails

Locate 12 hidden illustrations of Sadie, a friendly bald eagle mascot, placed throughout the park and at participating visitor destinations.

How to Participate

Participation is free, with no registration required. Visitors can pick up an informational card at the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center, Starved Rock Lodge, Illinois Waterway Visitor Center, or Starved Rock Country Welcome Center.

From there, participants can explore at their own pace, photographing each of the 12 Sadie illustrations as they find them. Once all 12 have been discovered, participants can show their photographs to staff or volunteers at the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center to receive a special three-inch embroidered, iron-on patch.

What to look for

Participants might discover Sadie dressed for a winter hike, searching for eagles with binoculars, or enjoying a warm beverage at the Starved Rock Lodge. Other illustrations highlight topics such as eagle nesting, migration, and the importance of winter wildlife habitats.

The 12 locations are spread throughout Starved Rock State Park, including select trails, scenic overlooks, the Visitor Center, and Starved Rock Lodge. Additional locations include the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center and the Starved Rock Country Welcome Center in Utica.

Program Details

• Dates: November 1, 2026 – March 1, 2027
• Cost: Free and open to all ages
• Activity: Find and photograph all 12 Sadie illustrations
• Prize: Free collectible embroidered patch (while supplies last) upon completion
• Information Cards: Available at the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center, Starved Rock Lodge,
Illinois Waterway Visitor Center, and Starved Rock Country Welcome Center
• Patch Redemption: Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center

Note: Visitors are encouraged to dress appropriately for winter conditions, remain on designated trails, and check
current park conditions before visiting.

Program Contact

For questions or additional information about Search for Sadie, please contact:

Lisa Sons
Natural Resource Coordinator
Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks
Lisa.Sons@illinois.gov