Not all that’s beautiful lies in plain sight, like these nine hidden waterfalls in Illinois. You may expect only to find such things in mountainous regions. In fact, many people may not realize there are waterfalls in Illinois. If you’ve ever wondered, “What Illinois waterfalls are near me?”, you may be surprised to learn that there are some really wonderful waterfalls in Illinois. Here are nine of the best waterfalls in Illinois:
- LaSalle Canyon - Starved Rock State Park, Utica
John/Flickr If you’re looking for things to do in Illinois, hiking to one of the canyons at Starved Rock State Park is always a good idea. LaSalle Canyon, pictured here, has an impressive waterfall that you can even walk behind.
Read our previous coverage on LaSalle Canyon to learn more. LaSalle Canyon, Lasalle Canyon, Deer Park Township, IL 61348, USA
- Burden Falls, Pope County
Curtis Abert/Flickr Located within Burden Falls Wilderness, this waterfall may be small, but it’s sure one of the prettiest hidden gems in Illinois!
Visit the webpage to learn more about Burden Falls. Burden Falls, Illinois 62987, USA
- Cave Falls, Utica
Mike/Flickr Located within Matthiessen State Park, this waterfall is a lovely sight to behold.
Visit the webpage to learn more about Matthiessen State Park and its waterfalls. North Utica, IL 61373, USA
- Kinkaid Lake Spillway, Murphysboro
Curtis Abert/Flickr Located at the end of Kinkaid Lake, this spillway forms a pool and is a popular swimming hole during the summer.
Visit the webpage to learn more about Kinkaid Lake. Murphysboro, IL 62966, USA
- Waterfall Glen, Lemont
Jovan J/Flickr Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve is one of the most impressive hidden gems in Illinois with a beautiful waterfall you can hike to.
Visit AllTrails for trail information at Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve.
- St. Louis Canyon Waterfall - Starved Rock State Park, Utica
Richie Diestersheft/Flickr St. Louis Canyon’s waterfall is spring-fed and one of the longest-lasting falls in Starved Rock State Park.
Visit the park’s webpage to learn more about St. Louis Canyon Waterfall. Saint Louis Canyon, St Louis Canyon, Deer Park Township, IL 61348, USA
- Hennepin Canyon - Starved Rock State Park, Utica
Justin Meissen/Flickr The waterfall at Hennepin Canyon is dependent on the rain, but when it’s flowing, it’s quite lovely. And if you’re looking to go hiking in Illinois, the trail to the canyon is 3.1 miles from the Visitors Center.
Visit the park’s webpage to learn more about the Hennepin Canyon Waterfall. Hennepin Canyon Overlook, IL-71, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA
- Ferne Clyffe State Park, Goreville
Curtis Abert/Flickr At Ferne Clyffe State Park, you can take a hike past fascinating rock formations and eventually come to a gorgeous waterfall. Hiking in Illinois doesn’t get better than this!
Read our previous coverage on Ferne Clyffe State Park to learn more. Ferne Clyffe State Park, Goreville Rd, Goreville, IL, USA
- Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve, South Elgin
Chris Bartnik/Flickr Located within the Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve is this waterfall known as Blackhawk Waterfall, one of the most beautiful hidden gems in Illinois.
Read our previous coverage on Blackhawk Waterfall to learn more. Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve, 35W003 State Rte 31, South Elgin, IL 60177, USA
Many hidden waterfalls in Illinois are quite easy to access – and some of the best waterfalls in Illinois even have swimming holes! If you’ve searched for “Illinois waterfalls near me,” now you know there are quite a few. Have you visited any of these waterfalls? Do you have some other favorites that we may have missed?
John/Flickr
If you’re looking for things to do in Illinois, hiking to one of the canyons at Starved Rock State Park is always a good idea. LaSalle Canyon, pictured here, has an impressive waterfall that you can even walk behind.
Read our previous coverage on LaSalle Canyon to learn more.
LaSalle Canyon, Lasalle Canyon, Deer Park Township, IL 61348, USA
Curtis Abert/Flickr
Located within Burden Falls Wilderness, this waterfall may be small, but it’s sure one of the prettiest hidden gems in Illinois!
Visit the webpage to learn more about Burden Falls.
Burden Falls, Illinois 62987, USA
Mike/Flickr
Located within Matthiessen State Park, this waterfall is a lovely sight to behold.
Visit the webpage to learn more about Matthiessen State Park and its waterfalls.
North Utica, IL 61373, USA
Curtis Abert/Flickr
Located at the end of Kinkaid Lake, this spillway forms a pool and is a popular swimming hole during the summer.
Visit the webpage to learn more about Kinkaid Lake.
Murphysboro, IL 62966, USA
Jovan J/Flickr
Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve is one of the most impressive hidden gems in Illinois with a beautiful waterfall you can hike to.
Visit AllTrails for trail information at Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve.
Richie Diestersheft/Flickr
St. Louis Canyon’s waterfall is spring-fed and one of the longest-lasting falls in Starved Rock State Park.
Visit the park’s webpage to learn more about St. Louis Canyon Waterfall.
Saint Louis Canyon, St Louis Canyon, Deer Park Township, IL 61348, USA
Justin Meissen/Flickr
The waterfall at Hennepin Canyon is dependent on the rain, but when it’s flowing, it’s quite lovely. And if you’re looking to go hiking in Illinois, the trail to the canyon is 3.1 miles from the Visitors Center.
Visit the park’s webpage to learn more about the Hennepin Canyon Waterfall.
Hennepin Canyon Overlook, IL-71, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA
At Ferne Clyffe State Park, you can take a hike past fascinating rock formations and eventually come to a gorgeous waterfall. Hiking in Illinois doesn’t get better than this!
Read our previous coverage on Ferne Clyffe State Park to learn more.
Ferne Clyffe State Park, Goreville Rd, Goreville, IL, USA
Chris Bartnik/Flickr
Located within the Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve is this waterfall known as Blackhawk Waterfall, one of the most beautiful hidden gems in Illinois.
Read our previous coverage on Blackhawk Waterfall to learn more.
Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve, 35W003 State Rte 31, South Elgin, IL 60177, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfalls Near Me In Illinois September 03, 2021 Melissa M. Where can I go hiking in Illinois? With numerous state parks and forest preserves, there are more than enough hiking trails around Illinois. Visit our article on nine scenic hikes under three miles that lead to someplace spectacular for your next adventure. What are some hidden gems in Illinois? Illinois is full of some fantastic hidden gems. Take our Hidden Gem Road Trip that will take you to several lesser-known spots around the state. What are some of the most unique things to do in Illinois? For something different, maybe take a scenic train ride to see some of Illinois’ most beautiful sights. You can also take a day trip and explore one of the charming small towns around the state.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfalls Near Me In Illinois
September 03, 2021
Melissa M.
Where can I go hiking in Illinois? With numerous state parks and forest preserves, there are more than enough hiking trails around Illinois. Visit our article on nine scenic hikes under three miles that lead to someplace spectacular for your next adventure. What are some hidden gems in Illinois? Illinois is full of some fantastic hidden gems. Take our Hidden Gem Road Trip that will take you to several lesser-known spots around the state. What are some of the most unique things to do in Illinois? For something different, maybe take a scenic train ride to see some of Illinois’ most beautiful sights. You can also take a day trip and explore one of the charming small towns around the state.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
With numerous state parks and forest preserves, there are more than enough hiking trails around Illinois. Visit our article on nine scenic hikes under three miles that lead to someplace spectacular for your next adventure.
What are some hidden gems in Illinois?
Illinois is full of some fantastic hidden gems. Take our Hidden Gem Road Trip that will take you to several lesser-known spots around the state.
What are some of the most unique things to do in Illinois?
For something different, maybe take a scenic train ride to see some of Illinois’ most beautiful sights. You can also take a day trip and explore one of the charming small towns around the state.
