April 20, 2024
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Photos: Attendance at Starved Rock and Matthiessen state parks soared despite pandemic

Starved Rock projected to end year with 2.3 million visitors

By Scott Anderson
This aerial photo was obtained through special permission from Starved Rock State Park. The lower parking lot at Starved Rock State Park is at full capacity. Starved Rock cracked 2 million visitors for the seventh consecutive year.

This aerial photo was obtained through special permission from Starved Rock State Park. The lower parking lot at Starved Rock State Park is at full capacity. Starved Rock cracked 2 million visitors for the seventh consecutive year. (Attendance Starved Rock And Matthiessen)

Starved Rock and Matthiessen state parks are a top tourist attraction in Illinois. Despite the pandemic, this year’s numbers are on pace for their seventh-busiest year ever.

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This aerial photo was obtained through special permission from Starved Rock State Park. The lower parking lot at Starved Rock State Park is at full capacity. Starved Rock cracked 2 million visitors for the seventh consecutive year.

The number one attraction in Illinois is Starved Rock and Matthiessen state parks. Despite the pandemic, this year's numbers are on pace for its seventh-busiest year ever. This aerial photo was obtained through special permission from Starved Rock State Park. The lower parking lot at Starved Rock State Park was at full capacity Nov. 7. (Attendance Starved Rock And Matthiessen)