There are so many beautiful waterfalls throughout Illinois that sometimes it’s hard to keep track. So, we put together a three-day weekend getaway featuring some of the often-overlooked waterfalls and fall-themed spots around the state. Use the map below, hop in the car, and get going on this waterfalls in Illinois road trip.
Use the interactive Google Maps link to help guide you on this Illinois waterfalls road trip.
Google Maps
- Start the trip with a stay at Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort in Utica.
Grand Bear Resort/Facebook The numerous Illinois waterfalls inside this water wonderland will get you off on the right foot. It’s such an awesome family-friendly fun zone that kids and adults alike will love. 2643 IL-178, North Utica, IL 61373, USA
- Pop into Matthiessen State Park in Oglesby and visit the stunning Lake Falls.
Tom Gill/Flickr While you’re at it, follow the water downstream to Cascade Falls, too. It’s one of the most gorgeous falls in Illinois.
2500 IL-178, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA
- Continue the falls-themed festivities at The Falls Reception Center in Columbia.
The Falls Reception & Conference Center/Facebook If you stop by at the right time, you might see a wedding in progress. We don’t blame people; it’s a fairy-tale place for sure. Learn more about The Falls in Illinois on the official website 300 Admiral Weinel Blvd, Columbia, IL 62236, USA
- Journey on to Kinkaid Lake in Murphysboro to visit the falls.
Curtis Albert/Flickr Lovingly called “The Spillway”, these falls in Illinois flow right into a swimming hole. Read more about this elusive waterfall on the USDA website
Kinkaid Lake, Illinois, USA
- Finish your weekend at the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden in Mahomet.
Museum of the Grand Prairie/Facebook These gorgeous gardens wouldn’t be complete without one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Illinois. Read more about this awesome place on the Visit Champaign County website 650 North Lombard Street, Mahomet, IL, USA
Have you ever visited any of these waterfalls in Illinois? Let us know in the comments! We love to hear from you! If you have a place in Illinois you’d like to see featured someday, tell us about it by submitting this form. You never know; you might just see yours as an article someday soon!
Google Maps
Grand Bear Resort/Facebook
The numerous Illinois waterfalls inside this water wonderland will get you off on the right foot. It’s such an awesome family-friendly fun zone that kids and adults alike will love.
2643 IL-178, North Utica, IL 61373, USA
Tom Gill/Flickr
While you’re at it, follow the water downstream to Cascade Falls, too. It’s one of the most gorgeous falls in Illinois.
2500 IL-178, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA
The Falls Reception & Conference Center/Facebook
If you stop by at the right time, you might see a wedding in progress. We don’t blame people; it’s a fairy-tale place for sure. Learn more about The Falls in Illinois on the official website
300 Admiral Weinel Blvd, Columbia, IL 62236, USA
Curtis Albert/Flickr
Lovingly called “The Spillway”, these falls in Illinois flow right into a swimming hole. Read more about this elusive waterfall on the USDA website
Kinkaid Lake, Illinois, USA
Museum of the Grand Prairie/Facebook
These gorgeous gardens wouldn’t be complete without one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Illinois. Read more about this awesome place on the Visit Champaign County website
650 North Lombard Street, Mahomet, IL, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfalls In Illinois August 20, 2021 Tori Jane What kind of road trips in Illinois can I plan? There are many types of road trips in Illinois you can take. For example, take the day and visit any of the state’s parks. Take a drive that leads you to several different breathtaking waterfalls, or maybe concoct a food-oriented road trip with stops at the best chicken wing restaurants. There are road trips to Illinois’s best small towns or even ghost towns. The possibilities are truly endless. Check out additional road trip ideas. What are some interesting natural wonders in Illinois? There are some very interesting natural wonders in Illinois. Some favorites include the amazing Garden of the Gods, which is nestled within the Shawnee National Forest. It features 300-million-year-old rock formations and some of the most interesting geology in the state. There is also the world-famous Cave-in-Rock, which is in southern Illinois just off the Ohio River. It’s an impressive 55 feet wide, and people love to explore it. Illinois’ state parks are particularly beautiful and some of the best ones include Starved Rock State Park and Mattheisen State Park, both of which feature incredible waterfalls. What are the best outdoor things to do in Illinois? There are endless outdoor things to do in Illinois. There’s camping, fishing, and more than 700 miles of trails winding throughout the state. Illinois is also a great place for “glamping”, a more modernized version of “glamourous camping”. There are tiny houses, yurts, and plenty of beautiful campsites. The state is also home to 155 lakes and thousands of miles of rivers.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfalls In Illinois
August 20, 2021
Tori Jane
What kind of road trips in Illinois can I plan? There are many types of road trips in Illinois you can take. For example, take the day and visit any of the state’s parks. Take a drive that leads you to several different breathtaking waterfalls, or maybe concoct a food-oriented road trip with stops at the best chicken wing restaurants. There are road trips to Illinois’s best small towns or even ghost towns. The possibilities are truly endless. Check out additional road trip ideas. What are some interesting natural wonders in Illinois? There are some very interesting natural wonders in Illinois. Some favorites include the amazing Garden of the Gods, which is nestled within the Shawnee National Forest. It features 300-million-year-old rock formations and some of the most interesting geology in the state. There is also the world-famous Cave-in-Rock, which is in southern Illinois just off the Ohio River. It’s an impressive 55 feet wide, and people love to explore it. Illinois’ state parks are particularly beautiful and some of the best ones include Starved Rock State Park and Mattheisen State Park, both of which feature incredible waterfalls. What are the best outdoor things to do in Illinois? There are endless outdoor things to do in Illinois. There’s camping, fishing, and more than 700 miles of trails winding throughout the state. Illinois is also a great place for “glamping”, a more modernized version of “glamourous camping”. There are tiny houses, yurts, and plenty of beautiful campsites. The state is also home to 155 lakes and thousands of miles of rivers.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are many types of road trips in Illinois you can take. For example, take the day and visit any of the state’s parks. Take a drive that leads you to several different breathtaking waterfalls, or maybe concoct a food-oriented road trip with stops at the best chicken wing restaurants. There are road trips to Illinois’s best small towns or even ghost towns. The possibilities are truly endless. Check out additional road trip ideas.
What are some interesting natural wonders in Illinois?
There are some very interesting natural wonders in Illinois. Some favorites include the amazing Garden of the Gods, which is nestled within the Shawnee National Forest. It features 300-million-year-old rock formations and some of the most interesting geology in the state. There is also the world-famous Cave-in-Rock, which is in southern Illinois just off the Ohio River. It’s an impressive 55 feet wide, and people love to explore it. Illinois’ state parks are particularly beautiful and some of the best ones include Starved Rock State Park and Mattheisen State Park, both of which feature incredible waterfalls.
What are the best outdoor things to do in Illinois?
There are endless outdoor things to do in Illinois. There’s camping, fishing, and more than 700 miles of trails winding throughout the state. Illinois is also a great place for “glamping”, a more modernized version of “glamourous camping”. There are tiny houses, yurts, and plenty of beautiful campsites. The state is also home to 155 lakes and thousands of miles of rivers.
