Big fenced in area, people benches, doggie doo-doo disposal supplies provided, water fountain for…read morethe pooch. Very nice and safe place for fido to run and meet other doggie friends.

Located between Ottawa Illinois and Utica,this park is along the Illinois River across from Starved…read moreRock State Park. We didn't stay long but walked to the lookout where we saw many kayakers on the river. Picnic areas and kids play areas are throughout the park. Plenty of parking.

We were at Mattheson State Park and Starved Rock and worker said this state park had 2 Buffalo…read more Say no more! Tatanka and Bison are so beautiful. There is really nothing here other than 2 Bison. We are enroute to Illinois State in Normal for NDSU football game on Saturday. So it comes full circle.

Beautiful area for a dog park Illinois River is right across the street. There is two enlarged…read morefenced in areas. Everyone picks up after their dogs so it is very clean. I travel across the United States and would rate this park a ten.

This fenced in dog park sits right on the Illinois River. It has both small and large doggie fenced…read morein areas, one picnic table in each area, poop bags are provided, and someone macgyvered a water station for our furry buddies. Not many people frequent this dog park so it is a great place to train your dog, but if you are looking for your pawbud to socialize this is not the place to go. We've been here multiple times and probably only ran into one other owner. This park doesn't get much shade at certain parts of the day as there are no actual trees inside the fenced area, but a few large oaks surround it. Great place to watch the sun set over the river while Mr. Sniff-a-lot enjoys the aroma of the park.

My little Lab Hollie adores K9 Paw Prints! I rescued her in October and when she came to me she was…read moreincredibly timid both around dogs and around people. Jean has done an amazing job socializing Hollie and now she is excited to get to "school" every day, bouncing around in the back of the car as soon as we turn down the road to K9 Paw Prints. Highly recommended and thank you Jean! Dave N

From the owner: A tired dog is a good dog!! Public dog park is five fenced…read moreareas for you and your dog to run and play. Pre-register and provide current veterinary records by appointment then you can use the dog park daily from sunrise to sunset. $5 per dog per visit or $120 annual membership. Annual members have access to heated building attached to pen #1, with covered porch.

The space is good. Large and small dog area. Lots of poop on the ground. Not sure if because it was…read moreafter winter. The gates have locks on them that prevent you from being able to secure it closed. Not sure why that is.

Amazing dog park! Can be a little muddy if recently rained but overall very nice and freeread more

So beautiful! Feel like it's been AI, it's paradise. Great experience, what a sanctuary.read more

A wonderful and peaceful place to be if you want to get away from the bustle but not drive too far…read moreout of town. A must if you love great scenery and wide open spaces. Has about 5 miles of trails and recently they have added on off leash area for dogs, with plenty of room to run and play. The park itself is not as big as other forest preserves, but still big enough to be secluded and peaceful. The winding trails take you through heavily wooded areas and prarie areas... I come hear a lot to explore with my dog and go on walks with my fiance. Its nice!

Matthiessen State Park is such a gem. The trails take you through gorgeous canyons, lush greenery,…read moreand peaceful streams that make you forget how close you are to the city. The waterfall views are the highlight and absolutely worth the hike in, especially when the sun hits the rocks and everything feels like a hidden escape. The trails are well marked and offer a good mix of easy walks and more adventurous climbs, so there is something for everyone. Even on a busier day you can still find quiet corners to enjoy the sound of the water and the view of the sandstone cliffs. If you enjoy hiking, photography, or just want a beautiful spot to reset in nature, this park is a must visit. Bring good shoes, some water, and be ready to take a ton of photos.

Beautiful park and very similar to Starved Rock as they are just down the road from each other. We…read moreliked our time here and our son did have fun on the little playground, but it was unfortunately looking very neglected.

Visited Starved Rock State Park in Illinois and it was absolutely beautiful! The trail was…read moremoderate ‍ -- just the right mix of adventure and relaxation. Perfect for soaking in nature's beauty , hearing the birds sing , and breathing in that fresh forest air . The scenery was stunning with towering trees , rocky cliffs , and peaceful river views . Whether you're a casual walker or a nature lover, it's a great spot to slow down, explore, and recharge . Highly recommend bringing your camera because every corner is a photo-worthy moment!

I've been coming to Starved Rock for years, and it truly is a spectacular park in a state that is…read morefamously so flat in most parts. I know the crowds are infamous here, and I've had good luck with coming on weekday afternoons. Hiking-wise, you can spend an entire day here or even tack on an extra day if you want to take your time. I typically have a few hours when I come, and I can easily get hike 4-5 miles of trails. There are stunning canyons I still need to check out, and I'll keep returning until I've seen them all!

Dogs loved this place!! Plenty of open space...they can walk or run on the trail, they can swim in…read morethe lake or just play in the yard.

Nice wide open spaces, area for swimming and fenced in areas for letting your fur babies run…read morearound and socialize with others. There's a paved walk leading from the parking lot to the water and another side where you walk on grass to reach the fenced in area. It was a little confusing our first visit here as we didn't notice any clear signage directing us where to get to the water or other areas from the grassy path. Our pups enjoyed their visit very much and although the small body of water didn't look the cleanest, we still let them cool off and enjoy a swim. The picnic tables in a shaded area were appreciated on a hot day. Bring lot's of drinking water for you and your pet! Also, as with most dog parks, remember that any toys you bring for fetching are likely going to be "fair game" to the many other dogs you might see here.

This is the first dog park I've visited that has lounge chairs! A clean small park but make sure to…read morebring your own poop bags. Be aware that GPS is not accurate and the park is hidden in the Sports Complex about 3/4 of a mile down from where GPS tells you. Aggressive dogs are not welcome here as posted on the sign.

This park doesn't get a lot of users, but it is well maintained if a bit sparsely treed. My beagle…read moreseems to find it fascinating every time she goes there, so I think that she would give it 5 stars. Over 5+ years I have only run into one dog owner who allowed their animal to act in a vicious and aggressive manner. (Note that I don't blame the dog...). If you need an off-leash area to run your pooch, this will get the job done. PS - They always have poop bags available, which is a nice touch.