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Local Attractions
While Staying at Sandman Motel you can explore the greater
Starved Rock Area. Discover amazing parks, hiking and biking trails,
historical sites and quiet waters that invite you to canoe or fish, and so
much more.
WINTER ACTIVITIES
There are many winter activities from snowmobiling, to
cross country skiing, ice fishing, bird watching, scenic ice caverns and more
all within minutes of Grand Bear Lodge.
Bird Watching
Watch all wildlife throughout the area, and in late winter-early spring its
"Flock to the Rock": come and watch eagles soar over the Illinois
River at Starved Rock.
www.flocktotherock.com
Snowmobile Riding
Trail along the I&M Canal or other areas designated for snowmobile
enthusiasts.
Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor Commission
201 W. Tenth Street, #1-SE
Lockport, IL 60441
(815)588-6040
Cross Country Skiing/Rental
Matthiessen State Park - Dells Area on weekends when snow permits. December -
March.
(815) 664-2484.
Ice Caverns
Explore the beautiful ice caverns that are throughout Starved Rock State Park
during the winter.
HORSEBACK RIDING
Rent ponies, horseback ride and hayrides all at Starved Rock Stables. Just 2
miles away.
Horse Stables - Starved Rock Stables
Rides leave at 10am, 12pm, 2pm & 4pm. Cost $20.00/hour. Minimum age - 10
yrs. RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED. Also offering, hayrides, bonfires and much
more - call for more information.
Generally Open May - October, Thursday through Monday 10am - 6pm. (Depending
upon the weather.) (815) 667-3026.
Black Sock Training Stable Inc.
1998 W. 31st Road., Ottawa
815/434-4717
A variety of equestrian services for beginning to advanced riders.
Personalized, professional instruction and scheduled rides.
FISHING
This is a big sport in these parts. ESPN 11 televises 2 fishing tournaments
from this area every year.
Sandy Ford Canoe Launch Area
Leonore Road, Streator
815/673-1880
Canoe launch site, and parking on the scenic Vermilion River. Land &
Water Reserve. Sunrise to sunset.
Vermilion River
LaSalle County
One of the finest rivers, and one of the best whitewater rafting areas in the
Midwest.
Starved Rock Bait and Tackle
224 Church Street, Utica
815/667-4862
Full line of fishing bait and products, hunting supplies, paintball
equipment, gas and camping supplies. All recreational licenses available.
BOATING/RENTALS
Take a tour on an old time paddle wheel boat, rent a motorboat or jet ski:
you can do all of these things within minutes of Grand Bear Lodge.
Ayers Landing
Wedron 815-434-2233
C&M Canoe Rental
3401 E. 2062nd Road, Wedron
815/434-6690
Come and visit our friendly pub and canoe the most scenic part of the Fox
River.
website: www.cmcanoerental.com
Canoe the Vermilion
1903 E. 1251 Road, Streator
815/673-3218
Equipment rentals and livery. Enjoy the Vermilion, Illinois and I&M Canal
Waterways in the Starved Rock Area.
website: www.canoethevermilion.com
Discovery Center Systems, Inc.
2940 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago
773/348-8120
Based in Utica. Whitewater rafting: Experience the thrill of a lifetime as
you raft the Vermilion River.
Ottawa Fox River Canoe Rentals
Ottawa 815-433-4665
River Adventures
Located at SkyDive Chicago
Information: 815-434-2142
Reservations: 815-481-2142
website: www.canoethefox.com
River City Trading Post
2426 N. 2659th Road, Marseilles
815/795-4447
Camping supplies, bait, tackle, ice, snacks, cold drinks, crafts,
collectibles, and firewood.
Springbrook Marina, Inc.
623 W. River Drive, Seneca
815/357-8666
www.springbrookmarina.com
Full service marina. New and used boat sales, transient slips, fuel,
restaurant, open year round.
Starved Rock Adventures
1 Dee Bennett Road, Ottawa
815/434-6386
www.srarock.com
Houseboat vacations. Rentals: jet skis, speed, pontoon, and fishing boats.
Fall season goose and duck hunts.
Starved Rock Marina
Dee Bennett Road, Ottawa
815/433-4218
www.starvedrockmarina.com
Sales, service, rentals, dealer for Silverton, Stingby, Bayliner, Landau
Boats new and pre-owned. Restaurant, boutique.
Sandy Ford Sportsman Club
720 S. Bloomington Street, Streator
815/673-1880
Private club with public events, including trap, bow, and cowboy shoots,
indoor shooting competitions. NRA approved.
Parkview Boat Tours Inc.
P.O. Box 470, Utica
815/476-1911
One hour, narrated tour aboard a 49-passenger paddle wheel boat. Available
for group charters. April to November
Vermillion River Rafting
Adventurous people will want to white water raft down the Vermilion River
just 5 minutes away.
781 N. 2249 Road
Oglesby, Illinois 61348
Phone: 815-667-5242
BIKING
There are many bike routes throughout the area, primarily the bike and
walking path along the I&M Canal that stretches from Joliet to LaSalle
and Peru.
I&M Canal Ottawa Accesses:
Dee Bennett Road
Boyce Memorial Drive
Columbus Street
Bicycle Rental - Mix's Trading Post
I & M Canal Tow Path access. Open daily May - October. Bike rental: $5/hr
or $20/day.
Rt. 178, Utica (815) 667-4120
Hiking
Walk the many miles of nature filled forest trails within Starved Rock State
Park or go for a picnic. For information on hiking trails contact the parks
listed below.
STATE PARKS/VISITOR CENTERS
Buffalo Rock State Park
Dee Bennet Road
Ottawa 815-433-2220
Concession Stand, electricity, hiking,
picnic areas, public restrooms
Illini State Park
Gentleman Road
Marseilles 815-795-2448
baseball diamonds, boating, camping,
concession stand, electricity, fishing,
hiking, picnic areas, public restrooms
Illinois Waterway Visitor's Center
Tour the facility, learn about the operation of the Lock and Dam and see it
in action. During cold winter months - view the majestic bald eagle!
Hours: 9am - 8pm daily
Tours: Sat. & Sun. 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00pm (Memorial Day - Labor
Day)
Dee Bennett Road at Starved Rock Lock and Dam (815) 667-4054
Matthiessen State Park
IL Rt. 178
Utica 815-667-4868
Concession stand, hiking, picnic areas, public restrooms, cross country
skiing, public restroom
Starved Rock State Park
Route 178 & Route 71
Utica 815-667-4726
Boating, cabins, camping, concession stand, electricity, fishing, hiking, tennis
courts, shelters
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