Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center

What Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center does

Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center is a historic hospitality resort and the only lodging facility inside Starved Rock State Park in Oglesby, Illinois, approximately 90 miles from Chicago. The property was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps between 1933 and 1939, and the lodge and 16 cabins were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Operations run 365 days per year and span 90 private accommodations (historic lodge rooms, a 1980s hotel wing, and authentic log cabins), five on-site dining venues (Lodge Restaurant, Back Door Lounge, The Veranda, The Cafe, and Trailheads Snacks), and six adaptable meeting and event spaces with capacity up to 200 guests.

The business operates a multi-revenue model combining lodging rentals, food and beverage across multiple outlets, ticketed activities (guided trolley tours, river cruises via the Sainte Genevieve Riverboat, guided hikes), live entertainment (music tribute shows, live music on the Veranda), full-service weddings and corporate events, and on-site retail through a gift shop and cafe. Pricing is publicly disclosed for most offerings, with bundled packages (Summer Sleighcation, Stay More Save More, Seniors and Military Special) designed to drive off-peak occupancy, and ticket-based pricing for tours and cruises.

The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via the lodge website (b4checkin booking engine), phone reservations, and in-person inquiries, supplemented by content marketing (blog, email newsletter via Constant Contact), Facebook, and earned media including The Knot Best of Weddings 2024 and Shaw Local Best of the Illinois Valley awards. Customer segments are diversified across leisure travelers and families (primary), corporate retreat groups, wedding parties, and group tour operators, sourced primarily from Chicago, Bloomington, the Quad Cities, and Rockford. The property partners with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for state park operations and with regional hospitality partners (August Hill Winery, Camp Aramoni, Hegeler Carus Mansion, Prairie State Winery, Walls 102) for curated cross-venue experiences.

Name

Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center

Legal name

Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center

Website

https://starvedrocklodge.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center is a historic resort inside Starved Rock State Park, Illinois, offering 90 lodging accommodations, five dining venues, guided tours, river cruises, weddings, and corporate events to Chicago-area leisure travelers, families, wedding parties, and group tour operators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Resort and Conference Hospitality

NAICS

Accommodation (721), Traveler Accommodation (7211), Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (72111), Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

National Park & Conservancy Lodges (THAGAIAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Resort Convention Hotels (THAGALAC), Adventure Base Camps (Trek/Climb/Expedition Camps) (THAGAOAG)

Keywords

• Resort lodging services
• Conference meeting venues
• Guided outdoor tours
• Wedding reception venues
• Historic hospitality accommodations

Headquarters

HQ city

Oglesby

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Lodging / Room Rentals: Overnight accommodations including historic lodge rooms, hotel wing rooms, and log cabins. Rates based on occupancy and room type. The property offers 90 private accommodations across lodge rooms and cabins.
2. Food & Beverage: On-site dining across multiple outlets: Lodge Restaurant (full breakfast, lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch buffet), Back Door Lounge (cocktails, bar food), The Veranda (outdoor seasonal dining), The Cafe (breakfast, snacks, coffee, ice cream), and Trailheads Snacks (casual park visitor snacks). Revenue from dine-in, carry-out, and alcohol sales.
3. Activities & Tours: Guided trolley tours, river cruises, hiking tours, and special events. Includes Historic Trolley Tours, Fall Color Tours, Ghost Tours, Winter Wildlife Tours, Bald Eagle Tours, Christmas Light Tours, Waterfall & Canyon Tours, Hegeler Carus Mansion Tours, Land & Water Cruises, and Sunset Cruises. Tickets sold per person with add-on lunch packages.
4. Entertainment: Music tribute shows (matinee performances with lunch included, starting at $70 per person), live music on the Veranda (Memorial Day through Labor Day), and special events like Oktoberfest and Murder Mystery dinners.
5. Weddings & Events: Wedding venue rentals (Sunrise Shelter, Courtyard & Cabin, Great Hall & Starved Rock Room), full-service catering, rehearsal dinners, farewell breakfasts, and trolley transportation rental. Meeting and conference room rentals for corporate retreats, family reunions, and parties.
6. Retail & Gift Shop: Gift shop, cafe, and Trailheads Concessions selling souvenirs, apparel, locally-made wines and craft beers, fudge, ice cream, and novelty items.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center operates a historic full-service resort inside Starved Rock State Park offering overnight accommodations in lodge rooms and log cabins, five food-and-beverage outlets, guided outdoor activities (trolley tours, river cruises, guided hikes), an indoor pool, entertainment programming, and dedicated wedding and meeting/event facilities. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as the primary lodging base for visitors to the park's 13 miles of hiking trails and 18 canyons.

Product overview

Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center is a historic resort property offering a unified hospitality experience centered around its log-built lodge (built 1933-1939, listed on National Register of Historic Places) within Starved Rock State Park. The property operates as a single integrated resort with 90 accommodations across lodge rooms and authentic CCC-built cabins, five distinct dining venues (Lodge Restaurant, Back Door Lounge, The Veranda, The Cafe, and Trailheads Snacks), and diverse recreational activities including trolley tours, river cruises, guided hikes, and music tribute shows. The lodge serves as both a leisure destination and conference facility, offering wedding venues, corporate meeting spaces, and team building activities. Additional revenue streams include shopping (three retail outlets), gift cards, and stay enhancement packages. The property is open 365 days a year and has been recognized with awards including Best Hotel & Best Brunch (Shaw Local News Network) and The Knot Best of Weddings 2024.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lodge Room and Log Cabin Accommodations
• Indoor Pool and Whirlpool
• Lodge Restaurant
• Back Door Lounge
• The Veranda
• The Cafe
• Trailheads Snacks
• Trolley Tours
• First Class River Cruises
• Guided Nature Hikes
• Live Tribute-Music Shows
• Weddings and Social Events
• Meetings and Conferences
• On-Site Gift Shop

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• August Hill WineryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStarved Rock Lodge partnered with August Hill Winery for the Trolley Trio Progressive Dinner event. The trolley takes guests from Starved Rock Lodge to August Hill Winery for cocktails and appetizers as part of a three-venue progressive dinner experience.
• Camp AramoniminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStarved Rock Lodge partnered with Camp Aramoni as part of the Trolley Trio Progressive Dinner. The trolley takes guests from August Hill Winery to Camp Aramoni for dinner and drinks before returning to Starved Rock Lodge for dessert.
• Hegeler Carus MansionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStarved Rock Lodge partnered with the historic Hegeler Carus Mansion to offer a one-of-a-kind journey through time and wine. The tour includes a scenic trolley ride to the mansion, a guided tour highlighting history, architecture, family legacy, and a special look into the Wine Cellar.
• Sainte Genevieve RiverboatcoreTechnology or IntegrationStarved Rock Lodge partners with the Sainte Genevieve Riverboat for river cruise experiences. Cruises include Sunset Cruises, Lock and Lunch tours, Land & Water Cruises, and River Wildlife Cruises aboard the Eagle I and Sainte Genevieve vessels.
• Walls 102 (Shaw Local Radio)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerStarved Rock Lodge partnered with Walls 102, a Shaw Local radio station, for the Music on the Veranda summer concert series featuring Nashville songwriters and rising country artists.
• Prairie State WineryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStarved Rock Lodge carries Starved Rock label table wines created from all Illinois grapes, made for the lodge by Prairie State Winery. These wines are sold at The Cafe and Back Door Lounge.
• Illinois Department of Natural ResourcescoreOthersIllinois Department of Natural Resources operates all state parks in Illinois, including Starved Rock State Park and neighboring Matthiessen and Buffalo Rock State Parks. The Lodge operates within the park under state management.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Mohonk Mountain House: Historic Victorian castle resort in New York's Shawangunk Mountains offering lodging, multiple dining outlets, spa, conference facilities, and a deep activity calendar (hiking, boating, seasonal events). Closest analog in scale, historic character, and integrated lodging + activities + events model.
• Big Sur Lodge: Lodge inside Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California, with cabin-style accommodations, on-site dining, and direct trail access. Directly mirrors the 'only lodge inside a state park' positioning with similar cabin/lodge mix and nature-anchored guest experience.
• Glacier Park Lodge: Historic 1913 national park lodge operated as part of a concession portfolio offering lodge rooms, cabins, dining, and guided activities. Comparable on historic asset, indoor-outdoor experience mix, and guided tour revenue lines.
• Turkey Run Inn: State-park inn in Turkey Run State Park, Indiana, offering lodge rooms, cabins, dining, conference space, and outdoor activities — essentially the same operating model under a neighboring state DNR framework.
• The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake: Ohio lakeside resort with lake-view rooms, multiple dining outlets, conference facilities, and seasonal activities. Comparable on integrated lodging + F&B + events + outdoor activity mix serving a regional drive market.
• Eaglewood Resort and Spa: Itasca, Illinois resort with 293 rooms, multiple dining venues, conference center, golf, and spa. Comparable on full-service Midwest resort + conference model and proximity to the Chicago corporate market.
• Skytop Lodge: 1930s historic mountain resort in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains with lodge rooms, cabins, dining, conference center, and a wide activity calendar (hiking, boating, seasonal events). Mirrors Starved Rock's 1930s historic-resort positioning and experience breadth.
• Grand Hotel (Mackinac Island): Iconic 1887 historic Midwest resort with full-board lodging, multiple dining venues, conference/event facilities, and curated activities. Comparable as a destination historic resort with group/event business and multi-stream F&B.
• The Abbey Resort: Lake Geneva, Wisconsin waterfront resort with 334 rooms, multiple dining outlets, meeting/event facilities, spa, and seasonal recreation. Comparable Midwest drive-to resort with similar group/leisure segmentation.
• Lake Lawn Resort: Delavan, Wisconsin lakeside resort with lodge rooms, dining, conference center, golf, and year-round activities. Comparable on Midwest resort + meetings + multi-seasonal activity programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/starvedrocklodge

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center