Spring Flowers Have Arrived

Wildflowers are blooming throughout the parks.

Bluebells along Illinois Canyon Trail

Flowers are never more beautiful than in the spring season, so be on the lookout for blooming petals and bright colors! As you walk on the trails, be sure to take some extra time to take in the scenery around you. Hundreds of wildflowers, in an array of colors including white, yellow, purple, blue, and more, bloom every year in Illinois. Many of these wildflowers are native to Illinois, and Starved Rock boasts many of these flowers in the park.

Looking for a specific trail to see wildflowers? Check out Illinois Canyon, as it is known to have bluebells blossom every spring. Along with wildflowers, trees will be coming back to life, appearing in colors ranging from purple to green. Be sure to check out overlooks such as Sandstone Point and Lovers Leap to see the park nestled in beautiful trees from above. Come out and enjoy a nice hike, whether in the canyons or from up above, surrounded by beautiful flowers and trees.

For the 2025 season, peak viewing for the bluebells is expected to be between April 23rd and May 4th. This year, there may be slightly less time than normal to see the Virginia bluebells due to varying temperatures and inconsistent rainfall.

Virginia bluebells are one of the park’s most anticipated spring wildflowers. These delicate, bell-shaped blooms begin as pink buds and gradually unfurl into vibrant blue flowers, carpeting the forest floor in dreamy hues. Their presence signals the arrival of warmer days and invites hikers to witness a fleeting natural spectacle—bluebells typically bloom for just 10 to 14 days before fading back into the soil.

This year’s shorter bloom window is the result of a few key environmental factors. Warmer-than-average spring temperatures have accelerated the growth cycle for many wildflowers, while inconsistent rainfall has led to varied bloom quality across different areas of the park. Some areas may bloom early, while others remain sparse—so it’s worth visiting multiple trails and being flexible with your timing.

If you’re hoping to catch the bluebells at their best, plan your hike earlier in the window and aim for mid-morning or late afternoon when lighting is soft and ideal for photography. Illinois Canyon is a favorite, but also consider exploring trails along the river or Council Overhang for stretches with equally stunning views.

As always, stay on marked trails to help protect these fragile blooms for future visitors. Virginia bluebells are part of a larger ecosystem of spring ephemerals that play an essential role in the forest’s health, providing early-season nectar for pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Starved Rock State Parks offers many parking lots. Click below for direction for the Illinois Canyon parking lot. Note the Illinois Canyon parking lot is small and will fill up during peak times.

Illinois Canyon Parking Lot

Click here for directions.

Spring is one of the most beautiful times to hike, and the melting snowfall and rain lead to rainbows and waterfalls.

We encourage you to hit the trails this spring, but make sure you are prepared for changing weather and trail conditions.

---

Waterfall Flow Reporting

As a reminder, we are asking every person who hikes to a waterfall this spring/summer to submit a waterfall flow rate report on our website at www.starvedrockhikers.com/waterfall-report. This takes less than 60 seconds and can be completed for all the major waterfalls within Starved Rock State Park. You can also attach photos/video clips of the waterfall.

Don’t forget to tag us and use the hashtag #starvedrockhikers when sharing all your spring hiking adventures! We’ll also do our best to keep hikers informed via our Hikers group on Facebook. Click here to join for free!

See you on the trail