Starved Rock State Park is one of the most amazing natural spectacles in Illinois. At any time of the year, the ecological cosmos offers a captivating natural paradise steeped in both history and beauty.
18 different canyons, 13 miles of hiking trails, and numerous cascading waterfalls mean that outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and nature lovers flock here year-round to reap the rewards of a natural escape so close to the Windy City.
Considered one of the best places to camp in the Midwest when the weather allows it is certainly one of the best getaways near Chicago if you’re looking for a break from screens and city clamor.
It is in winter, however, when Starved Rock’s beauty truly peaks. Snow blankets the park, woodlands turn white, and waterfalls freeze over.
These many falls offer magical spectacles this time of the year but it’s in Tonti Canyon, St. Louis Canyon, and Wildcat Canyon where the park’s most impressive waterfalls are found.
At these three showpieces in particular Illinois’ ice climbers come to pit themselves against the paused falls and others come to simply admire the magic of nature at work.
With the notorious Midwest winter now giving us a true taste of its merciless might, Starved Rock State Park has begun to freeze over offering up monolithic marvels covered in snow and cascading waterfalls frozen in time.
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite photos of Starved Rock State Park transformed in winter:
[Featured image from Instagram / @a_e_rialp]