Starved Rock
Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort.
Where water park fun meets natural wonder…and all that the Starved Rock area has to offer!
Grizzly Jacks Grand Bear Resort is located next to Starved Rock State Park, one of the most scenic parks in Illinois. You can hike the trails, explore the canyons or fish the Illinois River. The 18 dramatic sandstone canyons at Starved Rock were formed by glacial melting and stream erosion. The natural beauty is breathtaking. You can also climb Starved Rock itself and learn about the true legend of a group of Illinois Indians who died there in the 1700′s.
Have a great outdoor adventure with your family in a wonderful natural setting.
The trails are designed for easy hiking and climbing. Steps are built over the roughest terrain so everyone can enjoy the scenery. You can bird watch, see a white-tailed deer a bald eagle or raccoon family. There are plenty designated picnic areas and spots to fish the river with the kids.
After your Starved Rock adventure, head back to Grand Bear Falls for a
relaxing dip and a grand night’s sleep!
There’s always the waterpark and the amusement park, but the Starved Rock area has just about every kind of activitiy you can think of.
If you’ve never hiked through the canyons at Starved Rock, you’re really missing something. Trails are maintained and steps are built over the really rough terrain, so you can bring the whole family. And if you’re a golfer, there are family-friendly courses just a few miles from Grizzly Jack’s. For those who like the water, there’s fishing, boat rentals, canoeing and even white-water rafting (Beginner’s Level).
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BikingThere are many bike routes throughout the area, primarily the bike and walking path along the I&M Canal that stretches from Joliet to LaSalle and Peru. I&M Canal Ottawa Accesses: |
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Bird WatchingWatch all wildlife throughout the area, and in late winter-early spring its “Flock to the Rock”: come and watch eagles soar over the Illinois River at Starved Rock. Visit www.flocktotherock.com |
Boating/RentalTake a tour on an old time paddle wheel boat, enjoy a lunch cruise, rent a motorboat or jet ski: you can do all of these things within minutes of Grand Bear Resort. Ayers Landing C&M Canoe Rental Canoe the Vermilion |
Parkview Boat Tours Inc. P.O. Box 470, Utica (815) 476-1911 One hour, narrated tour aboard a 49-passenger paddle wheel boat. Available for group charters. April to November Ottawa Fox River Canoe Rentals Ottawa Riverboat Co. Discovery Center Systems, Inc. |
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FishingThis is a big sport in these parts. ESPN 11 televises 2 fishing tournaments from this area every year.Sandy Ford Canoe Launch Area Starved Rock Bait and Tackle Vermilion River |
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GolfingDayton Ridge Golf Club Pine Hills Golf Club Prairie Lake Lodge Golf Club Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club, Inc. |
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HikingWalk the many miles of nature filled forest trails within Starved Rock State Park or go for a picnic. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has information on hiking trails. |
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Horseback RidingDiscover the beauty of the Starved Rock area while horseback riding with the entire family. Cedar Creek Ranch Horse Stables – Starved Rock Stables Black Sock Training Stable Inc. |
You’ll find history and points of interest around every corner through Utica, LaSalle and Ottawa.Hegeler Carus Mansion & Foundation Hume Carnegie Museum |
LaSalle County Historical Museum Blacksmith shop, barn, one-room schoolhouse Mill & Canal Streets, Utica Hours: Wed – Fri. 10am – 4pm Sat. – Sun. Noon – 4pm (815) 667-4861 Complex has museum in 1848 warehouse on the I&M Canal, barn, blacksmith shop, and school. Native American artifacts. www.lasallecountymuseum.org Memorial Park Mendota Museum & Historical Society
901 Washington Street, Mendota (815) 539-3373 www.mendotamuseums.org Hume-Carnegie Museum, Union Depot Museum, and Breaking the Prairie Museum. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8am-11am. Ottawa Scouting Museum |
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Pet Resorts & AccommodationsStarved Rock Pet Resort Paws Here Pet Resort |
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RacingStock Car Racing Chicagoland Speedway Route 66 Raceway |
ShoppingShop ’til you drop in all the quaint shops throughout the area.Common Grounds Book Café Starved Rock Harley Davidson Antiques Country At Heart Antiques & Collectibles Peru Antique Mall Rural America Crafts & Antiques Arts/Crafts Apple Tree Acres Alpacas Crafters Village De’Ja’Vu The Dollhouse Stain Glass Inn Clothing/Accessories Bridal Elegance Famous Ladies Stonehead Tri City Frock Shoppe |
Four Feathers 120 Mill Street, Utica (815) 667-4499 www.fourfeathers.freeservers.com Quality Native American jewelry, pottery, kachinas, storytellers, cards, tapes, and CD’s, flutes, blankets and wall hangings. Designer’s Hutch Village Oak Haus Book Mouse Cattails Gift Shoppe Clark St. Studio and Village Pottery The Class Room Hartes Gifts/ Pellino’s Mainstreet Outlet The Mercantile Mix’s Trading Post Starved Rock Lodge Gift Shop My Favorite Things The Vine Christian Store Peru Mall |
State Parks/Visitor CentersA quick stop at our Visitor’s Centers will help you plan your exploration of this area’s incredible state parks. Enjoy breathtaking scenery, hidden waterfalls and woodland trails. Buffalo Rock State Park Illinios State Park |
Illinois Waterway Visitor’s Center Tour the facility, learn about the operation of the Lock and Dam and see it in action. During cold winter months – view the majestic bald eagle! Hours: 9am – 8pm daily Tours: Sat. & Sun. 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00pm (Memorial Day – Labor Day) Dee Bennett Road at Starved Rock Lock and Dam (815) 667-4054 Matthiessen State Park Starved Rock State Park |
