French, Wildcat, and LaSalle Canyons, Overlooks
Length
3 - 4 hr
Difficulty
Moderate/Difficult
About the Hike:
See French Canyon - only 45 feet tall but features many wildlife sightings, Wildcat Canyon - the park’s deepest canyon at 90 feet tall, and LaSalle Canyon - the only canyon allowing hikers to walk behind the waterfall at Starved Rock. Along with the canyons, visit Sandstone Point as a pit-stop in between Wildcat and LaSalle Canyon. This trail also takes you to beehive, eagle cliff, and lovers leap overlooks. This 4-4.5 mile hike is on the longer side, but allows hikers to see the best of both worlds, canyons and overlooks.
Suggested Route:
Start at the Visitor Center and go straight to French Canyon. Then exit the canyon and go up the steps to the southern-most trail, east to Wildcat Canyon via the bluff trail. After Wildcat Canyon, hike back up the stairs and proceed left to Sandstone Point Overlook via the bluff trail. Then, continue east and head down the stairs, catching the river trail to LaSalle Canyon. Once you cross the stone bridge, go right. After LaSalle Canyon, start hiking back via the river trail. There are multiple opportunities to switch back to a bluff trail, and see Beehive, Eagle Cliff, and/or Lovers Leap Overlooks. Lastly, end at the Visitor Center.
Difficulty:
Moderate/Difficult
10+ staircases, paved, unpaved, and natural stone footholds
