Ottawa Canyon

Ottawa, Illinois

5.0/5

based on 2 reviews

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Details

Distance

0.66 miles

Elevation Gain

112 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Michael

Waterfalls... Canyons... Bald Eagles oh my! Ottawa Canyon is a great place to explore!

This canyon is not as popular as some of the others in this park but it is my favorite by far. You can either make this a short hike from the Ottawa Canyon Trailhead on the east side of the park or hike the full 3.9 miles (one-way) from the visitor center. Either way you will not be disappointed.

Starved Rock has some very interesting rock formations you can explore. The valley was formed by a series of floods as glacial melt waters broke through moraines, sending torrents of flood water surging across the land that eventually eroded the sandstone and sedimentary rock

If you arrive in winter you will get to experience ice falls and bald eagles feeding in the Illinois River from December to early March.

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Features

Photography

Camping

Fitness

Chillin

Running

Hiking

Easy Parking

Family Friendly

Forest

River

Wildlife

Waterfalls

Ottawa Canyon Reviews

Jane Osak

Ottawa Canyon

01/01/24

Cold but manageable if you dress prepared. No bugs

5.0

Brandyn Murray

Ottawa Canyon

04/26/16

I can't believe the amount of times ive visited Starved rock i have no been to this canyon. I did the trek to La Salle and just never though to visit Ottawa. Thanks for writing about this. Definitely putting this on my list.

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Lover's Leap Overlook

Starved Rock State Park is just outside of Oglesby, Illinois. The park features sandstone bluffs and the Illinois River runs through the park. Dogs are allowed on trail if kept on leash. The trail is open year-round for a variety of activities. The Lover's Leap Overlook Trail is rated as beginner to moderate, based on the amount of stairs on the trail.

La Salle Canyon

This out-and-back trail is one of the parks longest trails. Starting from the visitors center it is 2.1 mile hike one way and 4.2 miles if you go out and back. The trail is very much worth the long trek. You enjoy the views and fresh air of the Illinois river. You will also walk past the Illinois Dam. This trail is mostly walking a long the river. On the way to the canyon you will pass by many ...

Wildcat Canyon Waterfall

If you happen to find yourself in the Chicagoland area be sure to check out the Wildcat Canyon hike at Starved Rock State Park. This is a 2 mile out and back hike from the visitor's center that leads to the largest waterfall in the park. There are two viewpoints from the top of the canyon or you can descend the stairs to the bottom and explore the canyon. The waterfall tends to be at its fulles...

French Canyon

Starting from the visitors center or the parks restaurant, depending on where you parked. If you were forced to park by the restaurant because of a busy day, you will start the trail head with a map of the park. You will follow the tallest stairs of the park down to the visitors center where the trail splits into two ways. Up the stairs or turn to the right. You will take the right and follow...

St. Louis Canyon

The hike from the visitor center or lodge is 1.35 miles. For a shorter hike you can park just south of the park entrance on Route 178 and hike 10 minutes to the canyon and falls. Spring is the best time to see the waterfall and winter also provides a unique perspective once the waterfall freezes and turns into an ice fall. Starved Rock has some very interesting rock formations you can explore...

Hike the Upper Dells of Matthiessen State Park

From the start of the parking lot you will cross a picnic area to your left where you can have a bite to eat before or after your hike. The trailhead starts off with a couple flights of stair leading you down to the bridge. After taking in the spectacular views at the top of the waterfall you will cross the bridge and turn right to go down, taking the stairs to the upper dells. Depending on whe...

Ottawa Canyon

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Ottawa Canyon Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Lover's Leap Overlook

La Salle Canyon

Wildcat Canyon Waterfall

French Canyon

St. Louis Canyon

Hike the Upper Dells of Matthiessen State Park

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