If you are hankering for a waterfall hike or scenic overlook, we have a treat for you. Take a waterfall road trip through Illinois that you’ll never forget. This is the best vacation you can take if you love nature, scenic views, and fresh air. These six waterfalls in southern Illinois are some of the best in the state. You can check them out below.

Our beautiful waterfall loop road trip winds through southern Illinois and the Shawnee National Forest. There are all sorts of ways to explore these hidden falls, and you could really do them in any order to complete the loop. In total, driving time should take about three hours.
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1. Ferne Clyffe Waterfall Trail
Ferne Clyffe Waterfall Trail, Regent Ln, Goreville, IL 62939, USA
Jerry Riepe/Google
A deep forest hike leads to the waterfall at this state park. Thin, steady streams of fresh water pour into a basin at the bottom of the rock formation. This lovely place is excellent for photos and play.

Learn more about Ferne Clyffe State Park and the beautiful waterfalls in it in this quick video from the Illinois DNR:
2. Kinkaid Lake Spillway
Kinkaid Lake Spillway, Shawnee National Forest, 432 N Spillway Rd, Gorham, IL 62940, USA
Curtis Abert/Flickr
This popular waterfall is easily accessible and also includes a pool of water at the bottom where guests enjoy wading and swimming. You can climb this waterfall if you're careful and explore all its levels. Check out this article for more details about the Kinkaid Lake Spillway.
3. Cedar Falls
Cedar Falls, Ozark, IL 62972, USA
Christine Arason/Google
Cedar Falls is one of the lesser-known waterfalls in the state. The waterfall is more than 80 feet high and magnificent to see. It is located on a two-mile trail near a campground.

Take a look at the beautiful area above Cedar Falls and the private land in Camp Ondessonk in this video:
4. Little Pakentuck Waterfall Trail
Little Pakentuck Waterfall Trail, Ozark, IL 62972, USA
leslie hubert/Google
The waterfall along this trail is always flowing. It is part of the Illinois Ozarks area that has been sacred to Illinois for centuries. Those who hike through this region are often blown away by the diverse landscape.
5. Jackson Falls
Jackson Falls, Illinois 62985, USA
Jarred Ingram/AllTrails
This area of the Shawnee National Forest features some of the best rock formations, and the waterfall is no exception. Rock climbing and hiking abound in this part of the woods.
6. Burden Falls
Burden Falls, Illinois 62987, USA
Jarred Ingram/AllTrails
A loop trail of less than a mile will lead you to this waterfall that is popular with locals in this part of the state. The entire area is more than 3,000 acres and includes all sorts of rock formations and cool camping spots.

One of many wonderful southern Illinois waterfalls, Burden Falls is pretty spectacular after a good rain. Explore the area in this video:

With so many great waterfalls in southern Illinois, we are just getting the party started. Are there any other stops you would make on this waterfall road trip? If so, please share them with us in the comments. Also, if you have a favorite waterfall in Illinois that you enjoy visiting, please share that with us as well.

For more Shawnee National Forest waterfalls, check out 10 more hidden waterfalls in Illinois that everyone enjoys.

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More to Explore

More Wonderful Illinois waterfalls

Jennifer Young | March 23, 2022

What are three of the best waterfall hikes in Illinois?

There are several hiking trails with waterfalls in Illinois. Listed below are three of the best waterfall hikes in Illinois. Because they each have an easy rating of difficulty, everyone should be able to hike them.

1. Waterfall Glen Trail: Located within Illinois' Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve is the Waterfall Glen Trail, a 9.3-mile loop trail that's mostly used for hiking, mountain biking, and running. The best time of year to explore this waterfall trail is from April through October.

2. Saint Louis Canyon Trail: Illinois' Saint Louis Canyon Trail is located within Starved Rock State Park. People primarily use this 2.1-mile, out-and-back trail for hiking, walking, and running. May through October is the best time of the year to use the Saint Louis Canyon Trail.

3. Redman Trail: Ferne Clyffe State Park is home to Illinois' popular Redman Trail. This .4-mile loop trail might be short and sweet, but it's still worth taking. A lot of people choose to camp and hike along this easy trail, which is great for visiting any time of the year.

What's one of the tallest waterfalls in Illinois that everyone should experience in person?

Illinois is filled with numerous waterfalls of all sizes. One of the state's tallest and most-visited waterfalls is Burden Falls, which is located within the Shawnee National Forest in Pope County. This beautiful, multi-tiered waterfall has an overall drop of around 100 feet. Keep in mind, if you do plan to visit Burden Falls in Illinois, the rocks can sometimes be quite slippery, especially following heavy rainfall. You'll want to always be extra cautious.

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