High water limits parking, closures possible at Starved Rock

UTICA, Ill. (AP) - Officials say Starved Rock State Park closures and limited parking are possibilities because of Illinois River flooding.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources said Tuesday that the river has reached the parking lot at the northern Illinois state park due to recent rains. Park officials say visitors planning to visit the park over the coming Labor Day holiday weekend should be prepared for fewer parking spaces. The park also may be closed for safety reasons when all of the available parking is full, which means the park has reached maximum capacity.

Authorities are asking hikers to observe safety rules.

IDNR officials say wet conditions will force the closure of multi-use trails at nearby Matthiessen State Park over the holiday weekend.