The One Waterfall In Illinois That’s Absolutely Stunning During Autumn

Is there anything better than a stroll through the woods to a waterfall? Perhaps experiencing it on a beautiful autumn day! Waterfall Glen, in DuPage county, is the perfect destination any time of year, but it's particularly gorgeous in the fall, when the rich yellow, orange and red colors give this place a whole new color palette.

You'll find the Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in Darien.

To get there, take I-55 to the Cass Avenue exit, then to Northgate Drive, where you'll find the main trailhead.

The 2,492-acre preserve includes prairies, savannas and woods. The terrain varies from flat to fairly steep.

In the fall, the oaks, hickories, maples and walnut trees burst into vibrant color.

The trails at Waterfall Glen make a loop around the park.

The main trail is 9.5 miles long. It's eight feet wide and made of crushed limestone gravel, so it's easy to navigate. Hikers and cyclists share this trail with those on horseback.

Watch for wildlife! More than 300 species of mammals, reptiles, fish, birds and amphibians call this preserve home.

The waterfall is often crowded with people cooling off during the summer, but is typically much quieter in the fall.

Fun fact: Waterfall Glen is not named for its waterfall.

The preserve was named after Seymour "Bud" Waterfall. He was the first President on the Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners.

To see more gorgeous Illinois waterfalls, take a look at this article.