Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center

Megan, the bartender and lead on the Lodge side, made my weekend so special. I told her I’d come because of my mom’s anniversary, and that I hadn’t been here in 4 years. I come every other year since my mom passed in 2018. Megan was fantastic, and I’ll come back to see her. I live an hour away, but I’ll come just for her and stay somewhere else. The room was a big disappointment, especially for the price. I came this weekend hoping they’d replaced the mattresses since my last visit, but they hadn’t. The pillows were horrible, too, and with my very bad back I was SO uncomfortable. All in all, I was disappointed with the stay. This is a great resort that everyone loves coming to, so please do a small or big upgrade to the mattresses and pillows.

The food at the Lodge Restaurant was amazing. I had the best Eggs Benedict, with fabulous homemade-tasting Hollandaise sauce, nothing like the "fall off the Cysco truck" kind at most restaurants. The thick slice of ham was better than what you get in most places. I also had walleye with mashed potatoes and a delicious gravy that seemed homemade, though I can’t say for sure. The hiking trails are an experience you don’t want to miss, with so much nature to take in from the top of Starved Rock down to the canyons. I won’t try to name it all. There are clean rooms at the Lodge and in the cabins, decorated in the rustic park style you’d expect. The Lodge itself is gorgeous, on par with national park lodges. There’s a natural, rustic feel to both the Lodge and cabins, and the cabins have fireplaces with firewood provided. Take a day to visit this park, or stay a few days and enjoy the whole experience.

Megan made everything feel easy and relaxed. She was warm and personable, and it was clear she cared about her guests and took pride in her work. From when we arrived, she was attentive and hands-on, happily letting us sit outside and making sure we were comfortable. She brought our food and drinks promptly and checked on us often without hovering. Great service all around, we’ll definitely be back!

Trail access was wonderfully easy. A long descent takes you to the visitors’ center, Starved Rock, and several river overlooks. West of there are Sac, Aurora, and St. Louis Canyons, each lovely in its own way. The lodge was clean, and my room had a charming two-seat wooden table and a deep closet with what might have been the original doorknob. The heavy door and cool, solid knob gave me a sense of older craftsmanship built to last. I came for three evenings in mid-April, after spring break and before the summer crowds, and got the quiet, restorative visit I wanted. I’d gladly give Starved Rock Lodge five stars if it weren’t for the mattress. It was sagging, lumpy, and offered no support. My back and hip complained the next morning, so I delayed my hike until I’d taken ibuprofen and recovered in the hot tub. After that, I felt ready for the trails. The building is a historic Civilian Conservation Corps structure, and its age comes through with dignity. There are warm wood tones, solid doors, hand-tooled details, flagstone floors, and low lighting. Some parts are true log construction, and the Northwoods decor feels sturdy and serene. This is the opposite of a modern gray hotel. The price reflects the particular benefit of sleeping inside the park rather than just nearby. One discovery I loved was the row of old wooden writing desks on the second floor, where CCC boys once wrote letters home. That corner still being there felt like a small act of preservation. I sat there one evening and felt unexpectedly calm, as if the building itself had exhaled. Food choices in the immediate area are limited, so I ate at the lodge’s full-service restaurant. The menu is concise and priced accordingly, and I didn’t fancy taking the narrow, winding road after dark. I ordered ribeye both nights, and it was properly cooked each time. The carrots were perfectly respectable on the first night, noticeably tired on the second. The meal was still satisfying, and the convenience was worth its weight in medium-rare beef. The pool area was blissfully empty while I was there. It has vaulted ceilings, a hot tub, and a wading pool. I like quiet more than cannonballs, so I loved having it to myself. If you’re after more aquatic theatrics, Grand Bear Lodge and Waterpark may suit you better. My only real disappointment was that mattress. Had it been better, this would have been an easy five stars.