If There Are Only 5 Waterfall Hikes You Take In Illinois, Make Them These

There’s something special about a waterfall hike, and while Illinois may not be known for our beautiful cascading waterfalls, we still have plenty that are worthy of an afternoon adventure. These waterfall hikes in Illinois will take you through some of the most beautiful scenery in The Prairie State and at the end of each trail, you’ll be met with an enchanting cascade that will leave you speechless.

Cedar Falls, Ozark, IL 62972, USA

Gene Floyd/Google

Cedar Falls is the tallest free-falling waterfall in Illinois, and it’s worth a visit to see for yourself. The falls stand an impressive 80 feet tall, and you can also walk behind them. The hike is about two miles each way, and nearby Camp Ondessonk is a great place to camp for a few days if you’d like to check out the other trails in the area.

Jackson Falls, Illinois 62985, USA

Kevin Audette/All Trails

A four-mile loop trail within the Shawnee National Forest reveals this majestic cascade. The sandstone bluffs and boulders have made this a favorite spot for rock climbers, but trust us, the views of the falls are just as mesmerizing with your feet planted firmly on the ground.

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Starved Rock, Deer Park Township, IL 61348, USA

Tom Gill/Flickr

Starved Rock State Park is known for its incredible sandstone canyons, and if you head down the La Salle Canyon Trail that’s about 2.5 miles long, you’ll reach this stunning waterfall where you can walk behind it. Be careful! It’s slippery back there.

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Blackhawk Waterfall Parking, 35W003 State Rte 31, South Elgin, IL 60177, USA

Colin Adams/Google

You’ll find this wonderful waterfall in Illinois within the Jon. J. Duerr Nature Preserve. The short and sweet hike is just about a mile long, with a little bit of an off-trail adventure towards the end to see the falls. It may not be the biggest waterfall in Illinois, but it is one of the few natural waterfalls in the Chicago area.

Burden Falls, Illinois 62987, USA

Fr2shie Folly/All Trails

This beautiful two-tiered waterfall within the Shawnee National Forest has a 20-foot drop over a sandstone ledge before cascading another 80 feet into the pool below.

Have you ever visited any of these waterfalls? Once you check these off your bucket list, keep those hiking boots out because these short and sweet hikes in Illinois lead to beautiful views.