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July 25, 2013

Hiking The Trails At Starved Rock State Park

I love Chicago in the summer time.  The beaches and parks come to life and there is always something fun to do.  However, every once in a while it’s nice to trade the big city for something a bit more serene, so yesterday Eko and I took a day trip
I love Chicago in the summer time.  The beaches and parks come to life and there is always something fun to do.  However, every once in a while it’s nice to trade the big city for something a bit more serene, so yesterday Eko and I took a day trip down to Starved Rock state park.   Rhodesian RIdgeback, dog adventure, dog photos, pet-friendly places, petcentric, hiking with your dog, marking our territory  

Starved Rock is Illinois most popular state park and it’s also dog-friendly!

Rhodesian RIdgeback, dog adventure, dog photos, pet-friendly places, petcentric, hiking with your dog, marking our territory

It was a beautiful day and Starved Rock was a welcome change of scenery. No cars, no trains, no loud city sounds – just miles of trails to explore and enjoy

Rhodesian RIdgeback, dog adventure, dog photos, pet-friendly places, petcentric, hiking with your dog, marking our territory

This dead tree was the perfect spot for Eko to hide and keep a lookout for deer

Rhodesian RIdgeback, dog adventure, dog photos, pet-friendly places, petcentric, hiking with your dog, marking our territory

It’s the height of the dry season so we didn’t get to see any of Starved Rock’s well-known waterfalls.  But we did get to explore the waterfall canyons which was a lot of fun – they definitely make you feel small

Rhodesian RIdgeback, dog adventure, dog photos, pet-friendly places, petcentric, hiking with your dog, marking our territory

We looped back along a rolling and quiet riverfront trail. Sometimes no sound is the best sound of all 

Rhodesian RIdgeback, dog adventure, dog photos, pet-friendly places, petcentric, hiking with your dog, marking our territory

Someone was pretty pleased with himself for making the climb up to the riverfront lookout

Rhodesian RIdgeback, dog adventure, dog photos, pet-friendly places, petcentric, hiking with your dog, marking our territory

After a long day of hiking, Eko happily relaxed in the shade with some well-earned water and treats

Starved Rock State Park is a bit of a haul from Chicago, but it was well worth the drive. It’s always fun to visit somewhere new and it’s even more fun when you have a four-legged adventurer with you!

 

Comments for Hiking The Trails At Starved Rock State Park

  1. Kuruk says:

    I love trails and parks! Woooooowoooooooooo! Ku

  2. Emmadog says:

    Mom and us are adventure hiking partners, so we love finding things like that…probably too far to drive from our place for just a day hike, though. Looks beautiful and interesting!

  3. I wish I would be there with you and Eko . The picture with the dead tree is perfect – I love it!

  4. Tiffany F. says:

    I don’t know why, but that photo of the “Welcome to Starved Rock” sign looks like it came out of a Scooby Doo cartoon. Must be the coloring. LOL

  5. Cool! I’m gonna have Mom put this place on our list if we are ever in the Illinois area! Thanx scoping it out!

  6. Boomdeeadda says:

    The hideout stump looks like fun. Nothing better than a romp in the forest with your dog, I really miss that.

  7. What a fun day trip. Eko, you look hilarious inside the tree! Great face! And the two of you are practically microscopic in the waterfall canyon. Yikes.

    Love and licks,
    Cupcake

  8. what a gorgeous park! I cannot believe how SMALL you both were in that photo. The sign to that park is reminiscent of the sign in Jurassic Park

  9. We had always wanted to camp there, but never got a chance to. I can’t believe you put Eko into that hollowed out tree that could have bugs in it – yuck! lol

  10. houndstooth4 says:

    Starved Rock is our absolute favorite place to hike! My dad grew up closer to there than we are now, which is about forty minutes away. I grew up hearing stories about the famous murders there and the legends and history of the place. I just never get tired of it, but honestly, I think its best time is in the winter when the waterfalls freeze. And I adore Matthiessen, too. Usually there are waterfalls there even when the ones at Starved Rock dry up. 🙂

  11. What beautiful photos of a fun outing. Loved Mr. Eko in the tree.

  12. Peppino says:

    Wow! That is a gorgeous park!! Plus, it’s awesome that it’s dog friendly!

  13. sisubeads says:

    He is a lucky boy!

  14. Misaki says:

    such a beautiful place to visit 🙂

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