This Is The Most Beautiful Place In Illinois

UTICA, IL — Summer is synonymous with vacation and whether you have a family holiday planned already, the good news is you don’t have to travel outside of Illinois for a much-needed getaway.

This month, Conde Nast Traveler says it did some digging and named the most beautiful place in every U.S. state. Illinois is full of beautiful vacation destinations but there is one location that stands out.

“No state is the same, and each has its stars, the kind of sights that make you catch your breath and nearly veer off the highway,” Conde Nast writes. The magazine writes that the list “only scrapes the surface” of what the U.S. has to offer, so consider it as a starting point.

In Illinois, Conde Nast named Starved Rock State Park the most beautiful place in the state. Located southeast of Utica along the Illinois River in LaSalle County, the 2,630-acre state park is known for its waterfalls, 18 canyons formed by glacial melting and erosion, plus plentiful hiking trails.

The site gets its name from a Native American legend, according to the Starved Rock website:

In the 1760s, Chief Pontiac of the Ottawa tribe, was attending a tribal council meeting. At this council of the Illinois and the Pottawatomie, an Illinois-Peoria brave stabbed Chief Pontiac. Vengeance arose in Pontiac’s followers. A great battle started. The Illinois, fearing death, took refuge on the great rock. After many days, the remaining Illinois died of starvation giving this historic park its name – Starved Rock.

The State of Illinois purchased the land in 1911 as the state's first recreational park.

Some things to know if you go to Starved Rock State Park:

• The park is open year round, and it's free to enter the park or hike the 13 miles of trails. There is, however, a fee to camp within the park, and reservations are required.
• Visitor Center guided hikes are free. Starved Rock Lodge also offers guided hikes for a fee.
• Reservations for regular campsites and youth group sites require a $5 non-refundable reservation fee and payment of the full camping and utility fees at the time the reservation is made. The camping fee for a regular campsite is $25 per night unless it is a holiday at which time the campsite fee is $35. Reservations for weekend camping fill up quickly and should be made well in advance.
• Picnic shelters are available on a first come, first served basis.
• Travelers can also book rooms at the Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center, which boasts multiple restaurants as well as a venue for weddings and events. Room fees vary by type of room and season, and pet-friendly cabins are $35 extra.

You can see the full list of the most beautiful place in every state via Conde Nast Traveler here.

Public domain photo of Starved Rock State Park