All state parks will be allowed to re-open this weekend in Illinois, but Illinois Department of Natural Resources officials say Starved Rock State Park in LaSalle County will be limited, due to recent flooding and trail conditions.

IDNR says visitors to Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks should be aware of parking restrictions, trail access closures, and temporary closures of the sites when parking lots reach capacity.

Beginning on Friday, the only entrance to Starved Rock that will be open to visitors is the south entrance on Rt. 71. Due to flooding in recent weeks on the Illinois River, Starved Rock’s main lower area parking lots near the Visitor Center will remain closed.

Officials say visitors may park in the Starved Rock overflow lot, though only 300 parking spaces are available. The parking lot near the Starved Rock Lodge will be restricted to lodge patrons with reservations.

Additionally, when the parks’ parking lots reach capacity, the parks will be closed temporarily until parking becomes available. Motorists are reminded not to park along park roads or public highways as that may prevent emergency vehicles from getting through.

Officials add that vehicles parked illegally will be towed at the owner’s expense.

In recent years, temporary parking closures have occurred frequently during busy weekends at Starved Rock. The heaviest traffic congestion and likely times for park closures occur on weekend days between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

In addition, due to recent wet weather and social distancing guidelines, some trails and overlook areas at Starved Rock will be remain closed to visitors until further notice. As at all IDNR sites, the Visitor Center, shelters, and playgrounds remain closed.

Social media pages for the parks and IDNR will provide updates on traffic delays and temporary parking closures.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Conservation Police will strictly enforce all regular safety rules at Starved Rock:

• No possession of alcohol on trails year-round;

• No alcohol allowed anywhere in the park Jan. 1-May 31;

• No marijuana use anywhere in the park;

• No hiking off trails;

• No climbing rock walls and cliffs;

• No swimming;

• No defacing sandstone walls with paint or etchings;

• No littering;

• No being on trails after dark.

All hikers at Starved Rock State Park should stay on designated trails. St. Peter sandstone in Starved Rock can crumble and be slippery when wet.