Starved Rock has 133 electric sites that take rigs to 50 feet, but booking is online only and some trails are closed for improvement work through 2026.
Starved Rock State Park sits along the Illinois River near Utica, with sandstone canyons and bluffs. The campground has 133 Class A Premium sites, electric only. Every site has 30-amp service and 33 also have 50 amp.
The brochure says sites hold up to a 50-foot camper plus a 15-foot vehicle on a 65-foot total length. Reservations are online only and open from 6 months to 4 days before arrival, with walk-ins after that.
In 2026 some trails may be closed or have limited access for a trail improvement project, and several deer-hunt weekends close the campground to non-hunters. Check both before you plan.
| Entry fee | None. The park says all Illinois state parks are free to enter |
|---|---|
| Campground | 133 Class A Premium sites with electric only, just outside the park off Route 71 to the south. Two shower houses |
| Reservations | Online only at recreation.exploremoreil.com, from 6 months to 4 days before arrival. Walk-ins begin 2 days before |
| Season | West Loop open year-round. East Loop closes the weekend before Thanksgiving and reopens April 1 |
| Check-in | 3 p.m. or before 10 p.m. Check-out by 2:59 p.m. Gate open 8:30 a.m.–10 p.m. |
| Rules | Alcohol always prohibited. Quiet hours 10 p.m.–7 a.m. Pets leashed |
| Trails | Open 7 a.m. to sunset, subject to 2026 improvement-project closures |
The main rig issues are electric-only sites and the booking rules.
The West Loop is open year-round. The East Loop is seasonal.
| Time of year | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring | East Loop reopens April 1. Waterfalls are best after rain, so trail checks matter. |
| Summer | Camp store open, usually May 1–October 31. Book months ahead. |
| Fall | Color season. The East Loop closes the weekend before Thanksgiving, and the campground closes for hunts on listed dates. |
| Winter | Only the West Loop is open. |
The state park campground is the main option. We did not verify private RV parks near Utica, so check each park’s own site for lengths and hookups.
Best for: Hiking from camp, shower houses and a dump station at the entrance.
Watch out: No water or sewer at sites. Closed for hunts on listed dates.
Starved Rock Lodge operates the seasonal camp store. Lodge details are at starvedrocklodge.com.
All plans assume you leave the RV at camp and hike from the visitor center or campground. Check trail status first.
First visit.
Hikers.
Anyone who wants spare days.
About 13 miles of trails. Eight canyons have accessible waterfalls: French, Wildcat, La Salle, Ottawa, Kaskaskia, Illinois, St. Louis and Aurora. Trails open 7 a.m. to sunset, and some may be closed in 2026.
Bluff-top views over the Illinois River from trails and overlooks.
The exhibit hall, park office and information desk are open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, with holiday closures.
Operates the seasonal camp store and has its own hours at starvedrocklodge.com.
A separate nearby park. It is also in the hunting closure areas on listed dates.
Bluffs and woods change color in autumn. Book early for October weekends.
Arrive before the midday rush. Lots fill from late morning on weekends and close when full. They may reopen after 3 p.m.
Book online early. Phone reservations are not accepted for regular sites.
Check trail status. Use the park’s improvement-project page before each hike.
Note hunt dates. The campground and several preserves close to the public on the listed deer-hunt dates.
Firewood is sold at the campground and at gas stations in Utica. Utica is the closest town for supplies. The camp store runs seasonally, usually May 1 to October 31.
The campground pages did not list nightly rates.
| Item | What we found | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Campground | Rates not listed on the pages we read | Check recreation.exploremoreil.com. |
| Cancellation | $5 fee plus a convenience fee | Full refund only if cancelled at least 4 days before arrival. |
| Park entry | Free | Illinois state parks do not charge an entrance fee. |
| Firewood | Sold at campground | Do not collect wood from natural areas. |
Fees are the amounts listed by the managing agency when this guide was checked. Use the budget worksheet to add fuel, groceries and contingency.
Up to a 50-foot camper with a 15-foot vehicle on a 65-foot total site. Site sizes range from 15 to 50 feet, so check your site.
No. All 133 sites are electric only, with 30 amp and 33 sites also at 50 amp.
No. Online only, except handicap and youth group sites through the park office.
The East Loop closes the weekend before Thanksgiving until April 1, and the campground closes for deer hunts on November 20–22 and December 3–6.
The park says hiking trails are open, but some may be closed or limited in 2026 for improvements. Check the DNR trail page.
Alcohol is always prohibited in the campground.
Rules were checked October 22, 2026. Rates were not on the DNR pages we read, so confirm them when you book.