The Siberian American: Our Fall Adventure at Starved Rock State Park

Monday, November 9, 2015

Our Fall Adventure at Starved Rock State Park

We have been on a mission to see as much fall color as we can this year, so on one of Christopher’s days off, we decided to go on a fall color tour at Starved Rock State Park in Oglesby, Illinois, about two hours from Chicago. The tour included a lunch, a fall colors trolley tour, and a guided hike to Council Overhand and Ottowa Canyon.


When we do day trips, I usually look for boat or trolley tours, so we can see as much of the area as we can. The trolley tour gave us a nice overview of the park and gave us an idea of which canyons to visit when there are waterfalls in the spring. It was relaxing to sit back and enjoy the beautiful weather and fall foliage all around us.


The guided hike to Ottowa Canyon was easy (though I almost slipped on the mud a few times) but it was worth doing for the beauty. The sandstone and the size of the canyon was striking, and it was interesting to hear that the Council Overhang got its name because they think Native Americans used to meet in that area.


After our tour, we hiked over to Starved Rock and Lover’s Leap for stunning views of fall foliage and the Illinois River. The trail is mostly paved, but it does require many steps to get to the top of the overlooks. The views from the top are worth every step.


Chris and I had so much fun exploring Starved Rock State Park that we hope to have a chance to come back in the spring to see all the waterfalls.


28 comments:

  1. Those colors are just amazing!! That picture with all the tree tops in different colors, so gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The colors were so beautiful! It was definitely worth a day trip. :)

      Delete
  2. Love this! The colors are incredible and the views are amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a beautiful place!! Gorgeous pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  4. So beautiful! The walk to the top would be worth it to see that amazing view! A trip in the spring to see the waterfalls sounds like so much fun too!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Every time you post pictures from these trips I die over the foliage! So so pretty!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love Starved Rock! I've never done a tour though, I usually just go and pick a couple trails and explore. It is actually really beautiful in the winter once it snows too so if you have a chance check it out!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What an amazing place to go for a hike! Absolutely gorgeous views of the foliage <3

    Green Fashionista

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow! Absolutely gorgeous! What a fun little fall adventure.

    ReplyDelete
  9. You guys are just all over the place, I love it! Such a great fall tour. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. oh my goodness - gorgeous pictures! the colour is amazing. glad you had a good time, oooh yes spring would be amazing, waterfalls!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh wow, the colors are gorgeous! Fall has to be my favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  12. The views - I'm pretty sure I said that about your last post - but the photos are just stunning i can only imagine what it was like in person! xo, Biana

    ReplyDelete
  13. All the Fall foliage is gorgeous! No sign of that here...

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow, it's so pretty up there this time of year! And that photo of you under the overhang really does put into perspective how big it is.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Replies
    1. Thank you! It was easy with a beautiful place like that. :)

      Delete
  16. The site's that America has to offer are crazy! Beautiful colors... and I want to go on a trolley ride. I've never been on one! Thanks for linking up today.

    ~Ashley @ A Cute Angle
    acutelifestyle.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow, so gorgeous!! Such a cute little date trip! The pictures probably don't do it justice!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They don't! It was so beautiful. Definitely a great day trip for us. :)

      Delete
  18. i love this!! i wish i lived somewhere that looked so autumnal. gorgeous!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Gorgeous colors! We just moved to NY too and haven't gotten to Starved Rock yet - now on my to-do list!

    Tanya Patrice
    Girlxoxo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't know that there's a Starved Rock park near New York too! That's neat. :)

      Delete
  20. The colors are absolutely gorgeous! I just love fall!

    ReplyDelete
  21. OMG these pictures are amazing!! My leaves are still green over here can you believe it? I want to get up to the mountains and see some foliage like this but I'm not sure if it's too late in the season.

    ReplyDelete
  22. ughhhh, I have wanted to move to Illinois for so dang long and you are making me feel so justified in that desire! this is SO pretty!!!! Those colors! What a great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  23. If you have wanderlust and just love to explore nature, then an Adventure Travel Job is the best job for you.
    http://www.silversandtours.com/

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for reading my blog! I love hearing from you and respond to every comment. :) If you're a no-reply blogger, I will respond below your comment.