I&M Canal NHC at 30: Starved Rock State Park's east end

After a week break, the Illinois & Michigan National Heritage Corridor at 30 returns. The story so far: On August 24, 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed into law authorizing the first National Heritage area. While the National Park Service would provide guidance to local communities along the 100 mile-long Corridor, the endeavor to preserve and commemorate the I&M Canal would be a local effort, as it is with the other 49 National Heritage Areas.

It's now time to take a look at Starved Rock State Park, the crown jewel of the Illinois parks, which I'll do in the next few posts.

Unlike Buffalo Rock State Park, Starved Rock is on the south bank of the Illinois River.

There I am in the Sun Records T-shirt.

Sandstone formations, comprised of St. Peter sandstone, give the park its character. There are 18 sandstone canyons in the park. This photograph, along with the next few, were taken in the area where the Kaskaskia and Ottawa canyons are.

The maples are just beginning to take on their fall colors.

The canyons were formed by water from melting glaciers and other erosion. Pictured above is Council Overhang.

Yes, the canyons are tall.

In the spring and after heavy rains, many of these formations are transformed into waterfalls.

When I stumbled into this canyon, I thought I was back in Zion National Park in Utah.

Owl Canyon Overlook and the Illinois River.

As there is a lock on the Illinois at Starved Rock, the river is particularly wide here.

Next: More Starved Rock

Earlier I&M Canal NHC at 30: posts:

• Channahon State Park
• Briscoe Mounds
• Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie
• Morris
• Seneca
• Marseilles
• Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial
• Ottawa
• Buffalo Rock State Park