The Illinois Hike That’s 100% Worth Braving the Cold

Grab your coziest gloves and bundle up with a good scarf, because winter in Illinois is no joke. In January of 2019, a new all-time-low of -38°F was recorded, breaking records and causing locals to share in one collective shiver.

While winters here can certainly be extreme, Northern Illinois typically experiences winter temperatures ranging from the teens to 30s, and a little bit of layering can make seasonal hiking tolerable. Which is great news for nature lovers, because Northern Illinois hides the village of North Utica hides one of the best winter hikes in the state. You're going to love exploring the unique trail to Eagle Cliff Overlook.

North Utica, Illinois, has fewer than 1,500 human residents, but that population is nothing compared to the local critter populations. In Starved Rock State Park alone, 2,630 acres host a variety of indigenous animals like beavers, deer, and wild turkeys. And the local flora scene? That's even more notable, with more than 150 species documented in the state park.

The park, especially along the Campanula Trail we'll be exploring today, is known for its unique topography born out of ice age events. As you might imagine, there's no better time to explore this history than during the winter.

During the Pleistocene, Illinois was under ice. Glaciers covered much of the state, and around Starved Rock State Park, something incredible occurred when they started to retreat and melt. A massive flood, known to scientists as the Kankakee Torrent, carved away at the landscape long before humans were even in the area. As a result, the mighty and catastrophic waters of the flood left us with a series of canyons.

Canyons, as you know, are a rarity in the Midwest. The park's 13-miles of hiking trails span many of these canyons, including Eagle Cliff Overlook and La Salle Canyon. To get there, you'll take Campanula Trail, a 3.9-mile loop trail along the edge of the stunning Illinois River.

The river, dotted with Starved Rock Dam, rocky outcroppings, and Plum Island, tends to stay unfrozen in the winter months, making it an absolutely jaw-dropping view when the local landscape is encased in ice.

The way ice clings to the canyon walls is truly incredible, especially when you're approaching a waterfall like Wildcat Canyon Waterfall. At roughly 125 feet in height, this monstrous wall of ice is humbling to approach. And it's just one of several along Campanula Trail!

AllTrails has an excellent map to help you spot the more interesting features on the trek. From the stunning Lovers Leap Overlook to French Canyon, there's so much to see along this one route. It starts near the Visitors Center and winds around the park's most stunning features, with one deviation leading directly to the park's namesake Starved Rock.

There's so much to see here that you'd do well to budget at least two hours for your winter adventure. With so many natural water features throughout the park, things are likely to get a little slippery, so be sure to employ the buddy system for your own safety. And bring a well-charged phone: with so many jaw-dropping views, you might spend longer on the trails than you're anticipating!

With so much to see and do in Starved Rock State Park in the winter, you could easily spend hours exploring the local landscape. However, heading to Eagle Cliff Overlook and its surrounding canyons is a treat you won't soon forget. Just be sure to bundle up before you head outdoors!

Want to add more waterfalls to your winter hiking bucket list? Check out our favorite waterfalls in Illinois to start planning your next adventure. Or plan your next epic Illinois adventure using Only In Your State's Travel Planner!