Starved Rock State Park: Ottawa and Kaskaskia Canyons and Council Overhang

Hiking into Ottawa and Kaskaskia Canyons at Starved Rock State Park we found two waterfalls and Council Overhang cave.

This area was easier than many of the hikes at Starved Rock State Park since the terrain is more level and there are fewer stairs.

We parked in the first lot for the Council Overhang, Ottawa, and Kaskaskia Canyons. Above is information included with the map online. — Parked in the first lot for the Council Overhang, Ottawa, and Kaskaskia Canyons. Above is information included with the map online at https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Activity/Pages/StarvedRock.aspx.

At the Trailhead

We parked at the lot for Ottawa/Kaskaskia Canyons along Illinois Highway 71. The parking area is on the left side of the river and about four miles to the east of Starved Rock Lodge.

You could hike from the lodge to the canyons here but again that would be about four miles. The natural surface hike from the lot is a mile out and back after checking out the canyons and cave.

Starting the Hike

A sign at the front of the parking lot shows the canyons to the right of the parking lot.

We first crossed a wooden bridge over a small stream.

Leads to more canyons and eventually the Starved Rock State Park Lodge. — *This trail leads to more canyons and eventually the Starved Rock State Park Lodge.*

We came to an intersection with a trail that went to the right this leads through canyons to the lodge. We continued going forward.

Council Overhang

As we walked further, we came to high cliffs.

Then we headed up the steps to check out Council Overhang.

*Looking out into the forest from inside Council Overhang.*

Archeologists have found that Council Overhang was used for hundreds of years as a Native American gathering place. It has natural acoustics due to the sandstone formation.

After seeing Council Overhang, we took the trail straight ahead to Kaskaskia Canyon. Just after the overhang is the trail that goes to Ottawa Canyon on the right.

Heading to Kaskaskia Canyon

We walked along a creek. Lots of wildlife here.

I came across a camouflaged frog and my son Andrew discovered a millipede.

Entering the canyon. — *Entering the canyon*.

The walls have the canyon begin to come closer together as you near the waterfall.

Video of the falls

The falls are narrow and two large logs were propped up to it. Filled with ferns and lichen are the cliff sides providing a green backdrop.

To the right is a large indention in the rock.

Next, we headed back down the trail to go to Ottawa Canyon.

*Smaller cliff overhang that my son Andrew checked out.*

Going to Ottawa Canyon

Along the way we find a smaller cliff overhang and my son checked it out.

A large tree with its roots snake-like was along the route.

We crossed stepping stones as we came closer to the canyon’s waterfall.

The waterfall was dripping down forming a pond below.

Since it was dry behind the falls my son could easily touch the water dripping down.

*My son looked small compared to the walls of the canyon.*

The walls overhang the canyon quite high near the falls.

I read that ice climbers are legally allowed to climb icefalls in winter.

Heading Back

On the way back we stopped at a cliffside with striated yellow-orange streaks and filled with boulders scattered about.

At the parking lot, I walked up a short path to a small canyon area. One last view before leaving for home.

*Another view of the Ottawa Canyon area*

Final Thoughts

This was my favorite hike at Starved Rock State Park that we did. The hike was mostly level and led to two waterfalls and a large rock shelter. It was also farther away from the lodge and allowed us to be alone in nature. It also helped we did this on Monday when parks tend to be less busy. This is a good one for small kids who want to go to interesting sites quickly. It had the biggest payoffs for the shortest hikes.

This was our last hike at Starved Rock before we headed back to St. Louis.

DETAILS

Drive: Take Interstate 55 out of St. Louis. In Blooming-Normal take exit 164 for Interstate 39 north. Then take exit 48 and make a right onto Ray Richardson Road, which becomes North 2101st Road then make a left onto Illinois Highway 178.

Make a right onto Illinois Highway 71 and look for parking at Ottawa/Kaskaskia Canyons parking lot.

You can also reach these canyons from the parking for the Illinois Canyon Trailhead down the road from a .2-mile trail.

Hours: 6:30 a.m. and closes by dark

Address:

Deer Park Township, IL 61350

MORE HIKING TRAILS

*Hiking trails at Starved Rock State Park*

Distance from the Visitor’s Center One Way

Lover’s Leap — .7 mile
Eagle Cliff — .8 mile
Beehive Overlook — .9 mile Currently Closed
Wildcat Canyon – 1 mile
Sandstone Point – 1.3 mile
Tonti Canyon – 1.9 miles Currently Closed
LaSalle Canyon — 2 miles
Parkman’s Plain — 2.5 miles
Hennepin Canyon — 3.1 miles
Illinois Canyon — 4.7 miles
St. Louis Canyon – 1.5 miles

NOTE: Other parking lots lead to these hikes, check with park staff about the best trailhead for closest parking and bring a map with you.

MORE HIKES WE DID AT STARVED ROCK

Staying at Starved Rock Lodge and First Hike

Our family spent a night at Starved Rock Lodge and then took a walk to see bright orange sundown over the Illinois River bluffs.

Starved Rock State Park: Hiking French Canyon

French Canyon has walls that are 45 feet tall and is the first canyon you come to from the Visitor’s Center parking lot. It was named after the French explorers who first visited this area in the 1600s.

NEARBY STATE PARKS TO EXPLORE

Hike Among Waterfalls at Matthiessen State Park

Find a canyon with waterfalls, cascades, and pools combine to give delight to hikers at Matthiessen State Park near Oglesby, Il. History of Matthiessen State Park Frederick William Matthiessen purchased the land at the end of the 19th century to develop it into a privately-owned park.