The bluffs and canyons have long been a draw to Starved Rock State Park. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike along 13 miles of trails that are open year-round allowing them to experience the changes in landscape throughout the year. Hiking Starved Rock in winter can lead to otherworldly discoveries like waterfalls suspended in ice. You will find many of these waterfalls, ranging in height from 15 to 80 feet, in several different canyons around the park. Let’s have a look at these wondrous waterfalls frozen over during the winter season and set out on the Starved Rock trails for some of the best winter hikes in Illinois.
Take the French Canyon Trail for some of the best winter hiking in Illinois. Getting to this icy waterfall is perhaps one of the easiest at Starved Rock State Park.
Chris Thomason/AllTrails The trailhead starts at the visitors center and leads directly to the falls in under a half-mile, making this a more accessible hike for most people.
The icy waterfalls here reside in LaSalle Canyon which has a moderate 2.6-mile out-and-back trail. The rock formations in this canyon make for an alluring display of snow and ice.
Nicola Patterson/ iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
Frozen icicles drip down the rocky wall of St. Louis Canyon, accessible by a fairly easy out-and-back trail of 2.1 miles, round trip. What a gorgeous canyon for cold-weather hiking in Illinois!
EJ_Rodriquez/ iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
Kaskaskia Canyon’s cascade of frozen water is mesmerizing, to say the least. This is one of the favored canyons in the park with its 20-foot waterfall flowing down into a small pond and framed by tree limbs which create the ultimate icy work of art come wintertime.
EJ_Rodriquez/ iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
In Ottowa Canyon, hikers can potentially walk behind this fall via the creek bed if conditions are safe. If you are able to do this, the view of the iced waterfall is absolutely incredible!
Andre Hesse/AllTrails This is the one canyon where ice climbers are allowed to climb in the park. Also, keep in mind, if you are hiking, this is a more strenuous hike than some of the others. Get up close and personal with the Ottawa Canyon frozen waterfall in this video:
A hike through Wildcat Canyon will treat visitors with an overlooking view of its otherworldly scenic waterfall that looks suspended in time. What an incredible scene!
Jeff Osia/AllTrails
Looking for some winter outdoor activities in Illinois? How about a winter hike to a frozen waterfall? Hiking in winter may not seem ideal to some. It’s cold and weather conditions may not always be the best with the ice and snow but there are some great benefits to getting out on a trail at Starved Rock in winter. This time of year brings more quiet and less traffic on the trails and the chance to see waterfalls that are seemingly frozen in time. So, get outside and discover a few beautiful Starved Rock frozen waterfalls.
Chris Thomason/AllTrails
The trailhead starts at the visitors center and leads directly to the falls in under a half-mile, making this a more accessible hike for most people.
Nicola Patterson/ iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
EJ_Rodriquez/ iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
Andre Hesse/AllTrails
This is the one canyon where ice climbers are allowed to climb in the park. Also, keep in mind, if you are hiking, this is a more strenuous hike than some of the others. Get up close and personal with the Ottawa Canyon frozen waterfall in this video:
Jeff Osia/AllTrails
For more information on the park and trails for the best winter hikes in Illinois, visit the Starved Rock website.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: 2668 E 875th Rd, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Winter Hikes In Illinois January 28, 2022 Melissa M. What are some of the best winter hikes in Illinois? Some of the best winter hikes in Illinois include:
Moraine Hills State Park Starved Rock State Park Garden of the Gods Glacial Park Nature Preserve
While many of us would rather spend time indoors hibernating until spring, winter is here and we may as well make the best of it! Get outdoors, breathe in the fresh air, and connect with nature this season in a way you won’t be able to other times of the year. This is the time when the hiking trails experience less foot traffic, it’s much quieter, and you may be able to see more wildlife. In our post, 4 Cool And Calming Hikes To Take In Illinois, you’ll read about the loop trails at Sag Valley Forest Preserve where you can also go cross-country skiing. Another place to hike is the 1,700-acre Morton Arboretum with its gorgeous landscape and trees that take on a different look during the winter months. What are some of the most exciting winter outdoor activities in Illinois? Winter is a wonderful time of year to go explore and do things that are only available this time of year. Winter horseback riding in the snow is one such activity and you can book a trail ride with White Pines Ranch in Oregon, Illinois. You can also go snow tubing at Snowstar Winter Park for a thrilling ride downhill.
What are some of the most unique things to do indoors during the winter in Illinois? Some of the most unique things to do indoors during the winter include:
LEGOLAND Discovery Center
Going Bonkers indoor playground
Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort
Being outdoors isn’t for everyone, so if you’re more the indoorsy type, check out a few of these indoor activities in Illinois. From drinks at an aquarium-themed bar to an indoor aquatic park, you’ll find enough exciting indoor activities to keep you busy all season!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Winter Hikes In Illinois
January 28, 2022
Melissa M.
What are some of the best winter hikes in Illinois? Some of the best winter hikes in Illinois include:
Moraine Hills State Park Starved Rock State Park Garden of the Gods Glacial Park Nature Preserve
While many of us would rather spend time indoors hibernating until spring, winter is here and we may as well make the best of it! Get outdoors, breathe in the fresh air, and connect with nature this season in a way you won’t be able to other times of the year. This is the time when the hiking trails experience less foot traffic, it’s much quieter, and you may be able to see more wildlife. In our post, 4 Cool And Calming Hikes To Take In Illinois, you’ll read about the loop trails at Sag Valley Forest Preserve where you can also go cross-country skiing. Another place to hike is the 1,700-acre Morton Arboretum with its gorgeous landscape and trees that take on a different look during the winter months. What are some of the most exciting winter outdoor activities in Illinois? Winter is a wonderful time of year to go explore and do things that are only available this time of year. Winter horseback riding in the snow is one such activity and you can book a trail ride with White Pines Ranch in Oregon, Illinois. You can also go snow tubing at Snowstar Winter Park for a thrilling ride downhill.
What are some of the most unique things to do indoors during the winter in Illinois? Some of the most unique things to do indoors during the winter include:
LEGOLAND Discovery Center
Going Bonkers indoor playground
Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort
Being outdoors isn’t for everyone, so if you’re more the indoorsy type, check out a few of these indoor activities in Illinois. From drinks at an aquarium-themed bar to an indoor aquatic park, you’ll find enough exciting indoor activities to keep you busy all season!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
- Moraine Hills State Park
- Starved Rock State Park
- Garden of the Gods
- Glacial Park Nature Preserve
While many of us would rather spend time indoors hibernating until spring, winter is here and we may as well make the best of it! Get outdoors, breathe in the fresh air, and connect with nature this season in a way you won’t be able to other times of the year. This is the time when the hiking trails experience less foot traffic, it’s much quieter, and you may be able to see more wildlife. In our post, 4 Cool And Calming Hikes To Take In Illinois, you’ll read about the loop trails at Sag Valley Forest Preserve where you can also go cross-country skiing. Another place to hike is the 1,700-acre Morton Arboretum with its gorgeous landscape and trees that take on a different look during the winter months.
What are some of the most exciting winter outdoor activities in Illinois?
Winter is a wonderful time of year to go explore and do things that are only available this time of year. Winter horseback riding in the snow is one such activity and you can book a trail ride with White Pines Ranch in Oregon, Illinois. You can also go snow tubing at Snowstar Winter Park for a thrilling ride downhill.
What are some of the most unique things to do indoors during the winter in Illinois?
Some of the most unique things to do indoors during the winter include:
- LEGOLAND Discovery Center
- Going Bonkers indoor playground
- Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort
Being outdoors isn’t for everyone, so if you’re more the indoorsy type, check out a few of these indoor activities in Illinois. From drinks at an aquarium-themed bar to an indoor aquatic park, you’ll find enough exciting indoor activities to keep you busy all season!
