Wildcat Canyon Trail

Like a spider’s web, Starved Rock State Park has intertwining trails that give hikers alternate ways of getting to the same destination. Adventurers can get to Wildcat Canyon using the easy trail from the lodge or a moderate trail starting from the visitor center. The latter is considered moderate due to the amount of stairs along the trail. Hikers can also use interconnecting trails to avoid backtracking and loop through various areas of the park.

The Wildcat Canyon Trail, via French Canyon, is a moderate woodland trail that is well-marked. Varying from a forest floor path to stairs to a wooden plank path, the trail offers some scenic sights along the way to Wildcat Canyon. Saint Peter sandstone is often located hundreds of feet below the ground surface. The bedrock was pushed upward and has eroded into artistically-carved river beds, cliffs and canyons.

There are three ways to view the spectacular Wildcat Canyon. The trail leads to overlooks on either side of the canyon, and a flight of stairs leads from the top of the canyon to the bottom. During snowmelt and after rain, a waterfall will delight adventurers.