Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock

Property class: 3

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Photo gallery for Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock

Front of property
Indoor pool, open 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, lifeguards on site
Terrace/patio
Breakfast and dinner served, American cuisine
Luxury Cabin, 3 Bedrooms | Living area | 42-inch TV with cable channels

Reviews

7.2 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Air conditioning
The current price is $130
$117 nightly
$130 total
Total with taxes and fees
May 3 - May 4

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
    ‪3 min drive‬

Room options

Family Suite with Balcony, 2 Queen Beds with Sofa Bed

7.4 out of 10
Good
(58 reviews)
  • 400 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Villa, 2 Bedrooms

7.6 out of 10
Good
(27 reviews)
  • 1800 sq ft
  • 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)
  • 2799 sq ft
  • 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)
  • 400 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Deluxe Suite

  • Hill view
  • 500 sq ft
  • 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

Similar properties

About the neighborhood

Utica

Located in Utica, Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock is next to a golf course, a 4-minute walk from Starved Rock State Park and 12 minutes by foot from Matthiessen State Park. .This family-friendly hotel is 1.5 mi (2.5 km) from Deer Park Country Club and 1.8 mi (3 km) from LaSalle County Historical Society & Museum.

What's nearby

  • Starved Rock State Park - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Matthiessen State Park - 11 min walk - 0.6 miles
  • Grand Bear Falls Indoor Water Park - 1 min drive - 0.0 miles
  • Mix's Trading Post - 3 min drive - 2.0 miles
  • Buffalo Rock State Park - 10 min drive - 7.8 miles

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

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.

An indoor pool, a children's pool, and a hot tub are on site. Other recreational amenities include a complimentary water park, a lazy river, and a 24-hour fitness center.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Make yourself at home in one of the 92 guestrooms. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms have shower/tub combinations and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as separate sitting areas and coffee/tea makers.
Enjoy a range of recreational amenities, including a complimentary water park, an indoor pool, and a lazy river. This hotel also features complimentary wireless internet access, an arcade/game room, and gift shops/newsstands.
Grab dinner at Jack's Place, a restaurant that specializes in American cuisine. You can also grab snacks at the coffee shop/cafe. Relax with a refreshing drink at one of the 2 bars/lounges. Buffet breakfasts are served on weekends from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM for a fee.
Featured amenities include complimentary newspapers in the lobby, a 24-hour front desk, and ATM/banking services. Free self parking is available onsite.
Buffet breakfasts are available for a surcharge between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM on weekends.
Jack's Place - This family restaurant specializes in American cuisine and serves breakfast and dinner.
Treetops Cafe - This café serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Open daily.
J.H. Higby's - Onsite bar. Open select days.
Bear Island - This bar overlooks the garden. Open select days.

Property amenities

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

Restaurants on site

  • Bear Island
  • J.H. Higby's
  • Jack's Place
  • Treetops Cafe

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

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

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • ATM
  • Free newspapers in lobby
  • Gift shop/newsstand

Business services

  • Meeting rooms

Outdoors

  • In a state park
  • Picnic area

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

More

  • Fireplace in lobby
  • Lifeguards
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

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

Entertainment

  • 42-inch TV with cable channels

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

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Deposit: USD 500 per accommodation, per stay

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • 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)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

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

We should mention

Pool access available from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Some facilities may have restricted access; guests can contact the property for details using the contact information 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. 349 out of 1003 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 235 out of 1003 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 191 out of 1003 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 108 out of 1003 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 120 out of 1003 reviews

7.4/10

Cleanliness

7.6/10

Staff & service

6.8/10

Amenities

7.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Our room was clean! Brea and Tiffany were the staff who were the most friendly, helpful, and great talking with our children about the resort. The amenities were great despite the negative degrees outside that caused some extra shut downs or coldness....but it was perfect for needing a get-a-way for our family!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

6/10 Okay

Kristal

Traveled with family and small children, Traveled with family
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The staff is very friendly, the main areas were clean. They are in need of updates, the water park area needs heating updated and new windows to help in the winter also a major clean to the pool from build up. The water is freezing so not ideal for our winter getaway. Rooms are okay and need some updates , like the sliding doors are pretty drafty. There’s a lot to do that our small kids enjoyed other than the swimming like a movie on a projector in an area, table for coloring, arcade, ice cream shop.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Mark

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
the room was clean, the staff was very nice
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

4/10 Poor

Danielle

Traveled with family
Liked: Amenities
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Staff was amazing cleanliness terrible
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

4/10 Poor

Zachary

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Air unit didn't move much air. Hot tub was warm and extremely crowded since the main pool water was cold.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Terri

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

2/10 Terrible

Evelyn

Traveled 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

Traveled with family and small children, Traveled with family
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

Traveled 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

Traveled 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

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

10/10 Excellent

Shataria

Traveled with family and small children, Traveled with family
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

Traveled 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