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Starved Rock State Park Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Areas in Starved Rock State Park

Lasalle Canyon 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1

Other Canyons 0 / 0 / 3 / 0 / 8 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 8

Ottawa Canyon 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2

Tonti Canyon 1 / 0 / 2 / 0 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2

Wildcat Canyon 0 / 0 / 2 / 0 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2

Explore this area in 3D

Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.

Elevation:	466 ft
GPS:	41.32065, -88.9931 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	36,423 total · 210/month
Shared By:	Doug Hemken on Jan 21, 2010 · Updates
Admins:	Doug Hemken, Aaron Mc, Dave Hug, Kevin Sierzega Page Updates (admin only)

See Weather Forecast

Access Issue: Select canyons only. Registration required. Details

Description

Starved Rock is an amazing vertical oasis along the Illinois River. The rock is incredibly soft, but the creeks and a few seeps form lovely waterfalls that freeze in a good winter.

The canyons open to ice climbing have varied over the years, and climbers must register. Be sure to check in the Park Maintenance building before you hop on the ice, tickets are $195, an expensive day of climbing.

Ice Climbing in only the following canyons, subject to changes from year to year:

(2020-2021):

Wildcat Canyon
Tonti Canyon
LaSalle Canyon
Ottawa Canyon

Ice Climbing Regulations

Sign in at Maintenance building. ALSO Sign out at the end of the day required
Climbing allowed between 7am and Dusk
No Climbing alone
No Mixed Climbing
Do NOT wear your crampons on the the wooden bridges or walkway.

Getting There

Located along the Illinois River south of Utica, IL.

The ice is 15-30 minutes along park trails. See the individual canyons and the map for details.

15 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Starved Rock State Park

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.

WI3-4 15 ● Tonti (aka Mongoose) TR, Ice Tonti Canyon
WI4 22 ● Wildcat TR, Ice Wildcat Canyon
WI4 12 ● Ottawa Canyon Ice Ottawa Canyon
WI4-5 6 ● The Snake Trad, TR, Ice Tonti Canyon
WI5 5 ● The Virgin TR, Ice Wildcat Canyon