Why travel all the way to Arizona to see the Grand Canyon when Illinois has its own (smaller) version? Although it's not quite the same -- the Grand Canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, after all -- the Little Grand Canyon in Illinois is impressive nonetheless. Located in the Shawnee National Forest, the Little Grand Canyon Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Illinois, and leads to an impressive gorge that may just be one of the natural wonders of Illinois.

Located in the Shawnee National Forest of southern Illinois lies the Little Grand Canyon, a natural wonder that's accessible via a 3.4-mile loop trail. Rated moderate to difficult, this popular trail experiences heavy foot traffic.

Carved away by water over the years, the Little Grand Canyon is a geological wonder with sandstone cliffs towering over 100 feet above the creek bed.

This sandstone box canyon has both seasonal and permanent waterfalls and some truly fascinating rock formations, making it one of the most scenic places in the Shawnee National Forest.

The trail starts off on level ground, but at a some point along the way, there's a steep climb down the canyon into the creek bed. Make sure to bring a sturdy pair of hiking boots because it can get quite slippery.

Along this hike, you'll experience an overall elevation gain of 508 feet.

Along the creek bed, you'll encounter a set of natural stone stairs carved by water. During the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps added handholds and footholds to help make the climb a bit easier.

At the top of the stairs, you'll make the steep ascent back up the canyon to the path that leads back to the parking lot.

From atop the canyon cliffs and several overlooks throughout the trail, you will experience incredible panoramic views of the Mississippi floodplain and Big Muddy River.

While the canyon is impressive, be sure to also keep your eyes open for the variety of flora and fauna that call this area home. Beech and sycamore trees tower above and ferns cover the ground by portions of the trail like a carpet. You may hear and see migratory songbirds, hawks, and turkeys, as well as a variety of mammals like mink, fox, and bobcats. It's a true nature lover's paradise!

The challenging hike is worth all the views you'll experience. There's no other place quite like the Little Grand Canyon in Illinois!

Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon of Illinois? Please tell us about your experience and share any photos you have in the comments or in our Illinois Nature Lovers Facebook Group. For Little Grand Canyon Trail information, visit AllTrails.

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