Starved Rock State Park is one of the most beautiful day trips in Illinois — towering sandstone canyons, frozen winter waterfalls, and 13 miles of well-marked trails. From Best Western Joliet Inn & Suites, it’s an easy 50 mile, one hour drive southwest on I‑80, and the smartest base camp for travelers who want a real bed, hot breakfast and indoor pool to come back to.
Driving directions: Joliet to Starved Rock
From our front desk, take I‑80 west for about 47 miles to Exit 81 (Utica/Route 178), then south 2 miles to the visitor center at 2668 East 875th Road, Oglesby, IL. Plan 1 hour from the hotel, door to door. There’s no toll road. On busy summer weekends, get there before 10 AM — the parking lots fill quickly.
Best trails for a single day
- French Canyon Loop — 1.2 mi easy; classic sandstone walls with seasonal waterfall.
- St. Louis Canyon — 1.4 mi moderate; a full‑height waterfall in spring and after rain.
- Wildcat Canyon — 1.7 mi; deepest canyon, easy viewing from the bluff.
- Lover’s Leap & Eagle Cliff — short walk from the lodge, classic Illinois River views.
When to visit Starved Rock
Winter (January–February) is magical for frozen waterfalls — pack ice cleats. Spring brings full-flow waterfalls and wildflowers. Summer is busiest; start early. Fall (mid-October) is peak color season on the canyon trails.
Why stay in Joliet instead of Utica?
Lodging in Utica is limited, often pricier and harder to book on weekends. Joliet has more rooms, easier highway access, real restaurants, and a hot breakfast included at our hotel. The 1‑hour drive each way is a fair trade for significantly lower nightly rates and a proper indoor pool to soak in after a 6‑mile hike.
Pack list for Starved Rock from Joliet
- Layers — canyons stay 10° cooler than open prairie
- Hiking boots with grip (sandstone gets slick)
- 1 L water + a packed lunch (cafe inside lodge is fine but limited)
- Trail map (or download offline from the IL DNR site)
- Winter only: ice cleats / micro‑spikes
Make it a weekend — book direct & save
Stay two nights in Joliet, hike Starved Rock day one, hit Hollywood Casino or downtown Chicago day two. Book direct on the official Best Western page to save up to 10 %, or call us at (815) 730‑7500 for multi‑night and weekend rates.
