Starved Rock State Park

VISITOR CENTER

The visitor center exhibit hall, park office, and information desk are open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

The visitor center is closed on the following state holidays: 

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Lincoln's Birthday
• Presidents Day
• Juneteenth
• Election Day 
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving
• Day after Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day 

ACTIVITY PERMITS

REQUIRED FOR ANY GROUP OF 20 OR MORE

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) requires any group of 20 or more people who use IDNR facilities to seek advance written permission from the site superintendent.

Regardless of group size, IDNR may require additional liability coverage to be provided through an activity permit. Release of liability can be used if your organization, family, or school does not have liability insurance. Site managers may deny the request if the facilities are not adequate to handle the size of the group, if public health or safety might be compromised, if the liability risk to IDNR is too great, or if there would be adverse impacts on natural resources at the site.

Activity permits are to be used whenever a non-traditional use of any facility is requested (for example, a family reunion in the picnic area) and/or any activity that might increase potential liability to IDNR (for example, search and rescue teams practicing on rock faces). These requests need to be made at least 21 days in advance of the activity and forwarded to the Regional Office for processing.

A Permit to Sell is needed if food or goods are sold, fees are charged, or money changes hands in any manner among the organizers, spectators, and/or participants.

• Activity Permit
• Release of Liability
• Permit To Sell

Guidelines for completing activity permits

1. Complete the activity permit at least two to three weeks before the scheduled visit. 
2. Acquire proof of liability insurance (business, school, or organization can ask their administrator or main office) or have each participant sign the release of liability form ahead of time. 
3. Email, mail, or drop off the completed activity permit and proof of liability insurance together (or the release of liability) to DNR.StarvedRock@illinois.gov at least two to three weeks before the scheduled visit.

Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center
PO Box 509
Utica IL 61373

4. The site superintendent will respond by email (DNR.StarvedRock@illinois.gov) or phone (815-667-4726) within two weeks from the time the permit was handed in with an approval or denial of visit.

Common Park Questions and Answers Booklet