Starved Rock; Utica, IL

This is a State Park in northern IL. It has a separate youth campground area, which is essentially a big open field in which you can set up where you choose. The campground is across Rte. 71 from the Starved Rock State Park, which has numerous hiking trails to choose from, with canyons and bluffs all along the river. We had a really nice 5 mile hike there, and it would be a good place to start out for building stamina for more serious hiking because of the hills, although unfortunately the trails are mostly boardwalks and stairs, so you don't get practice dealing with inclined trails, as you would like for preparing for Philmont. They have firewood available for purchase, and you will want an axe yard so you can split some into kindling, as the open field does not offer much natural knidling to be found. The trails are beautiful, and there is a lot of wildlife around (including bald eagles, which nest there in January and February).

there are pit toilets in the youth camp area (well away toward the end), as well as a shower building with running water and flush toilets a short walk further (maybe 200 yards). A great place to bring new scouts for hiking and weekend camping both.