In America, we celebrate a national holiday called Labor Day on the first Monday of September. It's supposed to be a day to enjoy off of work for the social and economic successes of the people in our country. It also tends to be deemed the "last weekend" of summer. It's a big travel weekend here in the States and one of the most popular things to do is to go camping! Want to know one of the best places to go enjoy the outdoors, time away with your dog(s), and to go hiking in the Midwest? Starved Rock State Park in Oglesby, IL!
The 411
Starved Rock State Park is about 95 miles southwest of Chicago. It's a dog friendly nature area and is a great place for a day trip of hiking or a weekend camping trip. The park is free to get in to and there are multiple hiking trails as well as canyons and waterfalls to discover and enjoy.
Little Explorers
Starved Rock is a very popular place to bring your dog(s). I think it might be our dog Wrigley's favorite place in the entire world. All the nature areas are dog friendly as well as the Veranda at the Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center. Hike the travels and then go grab a bite to eat with your pup at the Veranda. They even have a "doggy delights" menu so your pup can share your meal with you!
Things to do
Want to do more than just hiking? Starved Rock offers a multitude of activities such as:
1. Horseback riding
2. Water cruises on the Illinois River
3. Eagle watching
4. Canoeing/kayaking
5. Hunting and fishing
On top of all those activities, there are plenty of small wineries that dot the area, so if you want a break from nature, you can do a few wine tastings to get yourself out of the hot and humid Illinois summer.
1. Horseback riding
2. Water cruises on the Illinois River
3. Eagle watching
4. Canoeing/kayaking
5. Hunting and fishing
On top of all those activities, there are plenty of small wineries that dot the area, so if you want a break from nature, you can do a few wine tastings to get yourself out of the hot and humid Illinois summer.
Lodging
As for lodging goes, you cannot stay in the Starved Rock Lodge with your dog(s). If you plan on staying overnight at Starved Rock, I highly suggest camping! It is only $25 a day to stay on the Starved Rock State Park grounds and $175 a week. Not too shabby, huh? Most of the sites come with a fire pit and grilling area, perfect for truly camping out and having a bonfire after a day of enjoying the nature.
The Checklist
A few things you'll want to remember when packing for a camping trip include:
1. A tent and sleeping bags (if you're staying overnight)
2. A lantern/flashlight
3. Firewood and S'mores supplies
4. A backpack
5. Lots of water
6. Snacks
7. Sunscreen/bug spray
8. A dog leash and water bowl
9. Hiking shoes
10. Plates and utensils
OVER TO YOU >> What are your Labor Day plans this year?
1. A tent and sleeping bags (if you're staying overnight)
2. A lantern/flashlight
3. Firewood and S'mores supplies
4. A backpack
5. Lots of water
6. Snacks
7. Sunscreen/bug spray
8. A dog leash and water bowl
9. Hiking shoes
10. Plates and utensils
OVER TO YOU >> What are your Labor Day plans this year?