Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock

3.0 star property
Family-friendly 3-star hotel near Starved Rock State Park

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Photo gallery for Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock

Front of property
Luxury Cabin, 3 Bedrooms | Living area
Terrace/patio
Indoor pool, open 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, lifeguards on site
Breakfast and dinner served, American cuisine

Reviews

7.2 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
2643 IL-178, Utica, IL, 61373
  • Place, Starved Rock State Park
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Matthiessen State Park
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Place, Mix's Trading Post
    ‪5 min drive‬

Room options

Family Suite with Balcony, 2 Queen Beds with Sofa Bed

7.4 out of 10
Good
(56 reviews)
  • 37 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Villa, 2 Bedrooms

7.8 out of 10
Good
(25 reviews)
  • 167 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 9
  • 1 King Bed, 1 Twin Sofa Bed, 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen Sofa Bed

Luxury Cabin, 3 Bedrooms

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(4 reviews)
  • 260 sq m
  • 3 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 18
  • 1 King Bed, 1 Large Twin Sofa Bed, 2 Queen Beds, 2 Queen Bunk Beds, 2 Twin Bunk Beds and 1 Queen Sofa Bed

Family Suite with Balcony, 2 Queen Beds with Sofa Bed

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Hot Tub

7.2 out of 10
Good
(19 reviews)
  • 37 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Deluxe Suite

  • Hill view
  • 46 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 7
  • 1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds

Family Room, Multiple Beds

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Queen Bed, 1 Twin Bunk Bed and 1 Twin Sofa Bed

About the area

Utica

In state park.You'll find Starved Rock State Park and Matthiessen State Park within a 15-minute walk of this Utica hotel. Deer Park Country Club and LaSalle County Historical Society & Museum are also within 2 miles (3 km).

What's nearby

  • Starved Rock State Park - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Matthiessen State Park - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Grand Bear Falls Indoor Water Park - 1 min drive - 0.0 km
  • Mix's Trading Post - 5 min drive - 3.2 km
  • Buffalo Rock State Park - 11 min drive - 12.6 km

Getting around

  • Mendota Station - 27 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Casey's General Store - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Cortileno’s - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪The Rootbeer Stand - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Skoog's Pub & Grill - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Casey's - ‬8 min drive

About this property

Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock

Family-friendly 3-star hotel near Starved Rock State Park
Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock offers its guests a complimentary water park, a lazy river, and a waterslide. There's a restaurant on site, as well as a coffee shop/cafe. You can unwind with a drink at one of the 2 bars/lounges. WiFi is free in public spaces.

An indoor pool, a children's pool, and a hot tub are also featured at the family-friendly Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock. Self parking is free.

This 3-star Utica hotel is smoke free.

  • 92 guestrooms or units
  • 2 bars or lounges
  • Meeting rooms
  • Breakfast available (surcharge)
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Game room or arcade
  • Outdoor picnic space
  • Gift shop
  • Newspapers in lobby (free)
  • Fireplace in lobby
  • ATM
  • Elevator
  • No smoking on site
  • Coffee shop
  • Dining venue
Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock offers 92 accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Accommodations offer separate sitting areas. Televisions come with cable channels.

Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access.

Similar properties

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Arcade/game room
  • Children's games
  • Children's pool
  • Free water park access
  • Indoor pool
  • Lazy river
  • Lifeguards on site
  • Mini golf
  • Playground
  • Waterslide

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Weekend buffet breakfast available 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM for a fee: USD 15 for adults and USD 12 for children
  • 2 bars/lounges
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A restaurant

Things to do

  • 18-hole adjacent golf course
  • 24-hour gym
  • Arcade/game room
  • Children's pool
  • Concerts/live shows
  • Free water park
  • Games
  • Hot tub
  • Indoor pool
  • Lazy river
  • Mini golf
  • Playground
  • Volleyball
  • Waterslide
  • Wine tasting room
  • Wine tours

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Elevator
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible lounge
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible public washroom
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • 42-inch TV with cable channels

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Ice maker

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone
  • Separate sitting area

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in is available for a fee
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Renovations and closures

The following facilities are closed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday:
  • Bar/lounge
  • Dining venue(s)
  • Indoor pool
  • Hot tub

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • Deposit: USD 500 per accommodation, per stay

We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for buffet breakfast: approximately USD 15 for adults and USD 12.00 for children
  • Early check-in is available for a fee (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A credit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Cash is not accepted. 

We should mention

  • Pool access available from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
  • Certain facilities might have restricted access. For details, you can contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation.

Property is also known as

Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort Utica
Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Utica
Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort Oglesby
Grizzly Jacks Grand Bear Hotel
Grizzly Jack`s Grand Bear Hotel Utica
Grizzly Jacks Grand Bear Resort
Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Oglesby
Grizzly Jack's Bear Oglesby
Bear At Starved Rock Utica
Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort
Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock Hotel
Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock Utica
Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock Hotel Utica

Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock Reviews

Reviews

7.2

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 348 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 238 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 192 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 109 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 114 out of 1001 reviews

7.4/10

Cleanliness

7.6/10

Staff & service

7.0/10

Amenities

7.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

8/10 Good

Terri

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

2/10 Terrible

Evelyn

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
You should take some refund requests into consideration such as my situation and refund my 1-night that I did not stay. Your workers have lack of empathy, gave no options and I did not receive my breakfast that I paid for in my package. Went on a weekday, took time off work for my daughters birthday. Went from Mon- wed (1/5-1/7) and water park was closed because it was “off-season” & “kids were back in school” was so upset! My daughters birthday was on a Tuesday and everything in Utica is literally closed! I checked out early and they wouldn’t consider a refund for the 1 night i didn’t stay. No empathy, no options, no nothing. Aside from this I paid for a breakfast package. When I asked at my check in they said I have to ask in the morning and they will give me a “box”, NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING!!! when i checked out in the morning, they didnt offer my breakfast for my family. Nothing what I expected. Who takes reservations for a waterpark resort when everything is closed? They said “because it is also a hotel”… ok, well say something at time of reservations on what is included! They advertised the waterpark, I reserved thinking it will not be so crowded since it was a weekday and to my surprise no activities were open…
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Monica

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Besides the toilet flush being very loud, the room was clean and up to par. We did have to wait three hours to check in, which was frustrating. When we asked for management, we were told by the front desk that there was no management in the building. It was a great stay aside from that.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

4/10 Poor

Carolyn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
My room was not ready as it should have been at 4:00 p.m.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

6/10 Okay

Jessica

Pool was freezing and jacuzzi had a funny smell...Didnt seem like heat was even on in the water park area.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

yazmin

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

6/10 Okay

Jerry

Travelled with family
Liked: Room comfort
We paid an extra $69 for early check in. We were able to get into the waterpark however, the water was so cold that we literally couldn’t get in it. Our 2 year old would only go in the baby pool, which was significantly warmer, but she was still shivering the entire time. The air temp felt like the air conditioning was on in the waterpark. Mind you, our stay was on January 1, 2026. Because of this, we spent maybe an hour in the waterpark the entire stay because it was so uncomfortably cold. The hot tub was packed with adults and kids because it was the only warm spot in the place! Luckily, we had early check in so we went to the desk to get our room and warm up. We went to the desk and waited in line for about 20-30 minutes, to find out that our room wasn’t ready. After about 45 minutes, we were able to get in. The staff were unable to refund our early check in money. They also said that maintenance was working on the waterpark temp. So, we decided to try the waterpark hours later. Still freezing! The room was nice. The bed was comfortable and our 2 year old was able to “swim” in the whirlpool tub with warm water! Sadly, most of the staff didn’t care about anything. We had no soap in our room because they were out of soap. One friendly staff was an older woman at the cafe and she was just thanking us for being patient because she was alone, like she was used to rude customers. This place has such great potential, but needs management that cares. It’s unfortunate.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Joshua

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The place it self was very nice and clean the only downside is the water was cold very cold it was 22 degrees outside but for an indoor water park it should have been warmer water
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

2/10 Terrible

Rebecca

Travelled with family
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
1. I specifically called called grand bear lodge to reserve our rooms and it went through a third party. I paid in full but apparently the third party ran out of vouchers so the funds were insufficient. This came from a manager that i requested at your facility. 2. I reserved 3 rooms. 1 out of the 3 rooms had a working tv. We had 2 maintenance men work on the tvs but never got tv. 3. Dirty towels were left outside. 4. Children were up and down the halls all night and in the gym all night. 2 out of 3 rooms showere heads were broken.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joseph

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Yes
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Sarah

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gary

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Room was very clean and the staff bent over backwards for our group of 14 .Already planning on making it an annual event at Grand Bear.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cameron

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tracy, Dolton

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Monica

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Azucena

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Maria

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The family atmosphere is great
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shataria

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Everything was so nice & clean
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Starla

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025

6/10 Okay

Lindsay

Travelled with family
Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
We went weekend of Dec 19th-21st. 4 adults 2 kids. Water was FREEZING. My in-laws did not go in the water once. Every family we encountered just complained of how cold the water was. The hot tub was packed most of the time because of this. I did complain and they said because of how their windows are glass a lot of cold air gets in. The concession stand was closed most of the day saturday so there was no where to purchase food or snacks besides the main restaurant. When we did go to dinner saturday night they said we had to wait atleast 40 min because they were understaffed.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

4/10 Poor

Luis

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
We cant not enter the room untill 4 pm unless we pay extra 69 dollars,I already pay 300 dollars just for one room non amenities is not good
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rosemary

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
We went for the water park, which was the perfect size for our young kids, but everything else was fine too and service was attentive.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Kyle

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Beautiful resort but rooms were outdated, friendly staff
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

2/10 Terrible

Brittany

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Staff is incompetent and rooms are outdated. Waterpark isn't suitable for winter.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Baileysue

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Best time ever
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025