This Illinois Landscape Turns Into a Serene Frozen Wonderland During Winter

Hidden within the wonderland that is Starved Rock State Park in Illinois is a series of jaw-dropping canyons and natural wonders that, somehow, only improve in the winter. Winter in Illinois is pretty brutal at times, but we're clever, crafty people, and we've found plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors despite the chill; winter hikes abound, and our amazing state parks are an excellent place to begin.

Take, for instance, Lasalle Canyon, which is famous for its waterfalls and explorable cave formations. In the winter, these formations are frozen over, and my goodness - it's staggering how beautiful it is.

It's intensely scenic, and in the winter, you can expect significantly smaller crowds than you'd experience during the warmer months. This lack of crowds often lends itself to complete, total relaxation. Frozen waterfalls are, as it turns out, just as majestic and eye-catching as the not-so-frozen versions are.

The greatest way to explore this incredible slice of paradise is on foot; luckily, there's a hiking trail that leads us straight through. Known as the LaSalle Canyon Trail, this amazing adventure offers hikers a front-row seat to some of Illinois's most beautiful wintertime views. It's 2.3 miles long and easily one of the best winter hikes in Illinois.

You'll begin at the Hiawatha Pioneer Trail parking lot, where you'll encounter a small set of stairs. Take these to another larger set of stairs and continue into the canyon. It's a treat, and you'll see why immediately: this is like something out of a movie or a novel, not somewhere you'd find in the Midwest.

The hike is out-and-back, so you'll reach the end of the trail and will have to turn around and go back the way you came, but I see no problems with this. It's another opportunity to soak in the wonder of the surroundings - plus, seeing everything you just experienced in reverse is always a blast (at least, I think so).

The Lasalle Canyon Trail is rated as moderately challenging, and in the winter, I think this rating is more than fair. It's tough to manage if one doesn't like stairs or narrow passages, and when these stairs and passages are covered in a layer of snow and ice, there's an extra bit of peril added to the mix. Wear excellent shoes with good grip, bundle up, and dress warm, and you should do just fine. Don't forget the water - staying hydrated even in the winter is imperative.

Do you have plans to try and conquer this epic adventure? If you're serious about hiking, I can't recommend a free AllTrails Plus trial enough - I have no idea how I managed to hike before I got it! While you're here at Starved Rock State Park, be sure to also explore the Lover's Leap Overlook. It's one of the best in Illinois! Discover some of the other best things in Illinois by using our new Travel Planner!