Starved Rock State Park -- Oglesby, Ill.

See God at work in autumn beauty at Starved Rock State Park. 

Destination: Jesus “set before me the book of nature,” St. Thérèse of Lisieux wrote in her Story of a Soul, remembering the joy of childhood walks with her family. Fall’s changing colors extend a new invitation to us to read and know God in this “book of nature.” 

This time of year, New England forests steal the show with their warm quiltwork of rich reds and bright oranges.  But that’s not the only place to find fall colors! 

Mixbook, a photo book brand based in California, aims to reveal the “hidden gems” of autumn beauty. This August, the company surveyed 3,000 people around the United States to find the top 150 “under-the-radar” fall destinations. Starved Rock State Park  was voted as Illinois’ top “hidden gem” and landed at #24 on the list (https://www.mixbook.com/inspiration/fall-foliage-americas-hidden-gems).

Starved Rock State Park is open daily from 7 a.m.-sunset and is free for all to enjoy. 

Photos: Top — Leaves paint dots of oranges and golds over a waterfall at Aurora Canyon in Starved Rock State Park. The trail to the canyon is .2 miles long and starts at the Starved Rock Lodge (Photos/Wikimedia Commons, uploaded by B3thedw).

Bottom — Fall colors are abundant even on simple trails. 

Why to go: St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Hildegard of Bingen, St. Francis of Assisi, St. John of the Cross and Pope St. John Paul II are just a few saints whose writings on creation have guided the Church throughout the world. Take some time on the trail to pray — you’ll be in good heavenly company. 

If you’re looking for a Mass on the road, Catholic churches are within 15 minutes of the park. 

St. Mary Parish, at 303 S. Division St. in North Utica, is seven minutes away. The church holds weekday Masses at 7 a.m., Saturday vigil Mass at 5 p.m. and Sunday Masses at 8 and 10 a.m.

Holy Family Parish, at 311 N. Woodland Ave in Oglesby, is 11 minutes away. The church holds Mass on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 a.m., Saturday vigil Mass at 4 p.m. and Sunday Masses at 8 and 10 a.m. 

Accessibility: Trails are relatively short; most are 0-2 miles. Staircases and rest benches are placed throughout the park. (Trolley tours and boat rides are also provided as non-hiking options.) Service dogs are allowed as long as they are kept on a leash, cleaned up after and provided water. Parking lots are busiest from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

(Grand) Kid friendly: Of course — just look at what St. Thérèse remembered from her childhood!

Info: Address — Starved Rock State Park (visitor center), 2678 E. 873 Rd., Oglesby, IL 61348
Phone — 815-667-4211
Website — https://www.starvedrocklodge.com/starved-rock-state-park/

—By Megan Peterson, features/multimedia editor, with information from Mixbook provided by Penny Wiegert, editor. Send Destination ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org