Whether you're looking for adventurous hiking trails in IL or just scenic views, one of your best options is going to be Matthiessen State Park Fort, located near Oglesby, just south of the Illinois River. Thanks to canyons, streams, forests, and more, visitors can expect to take in a vast array of views while hiking through Matthiessen, a hidden and one of the best state parks in Illinois.
There are beautiful rock formations to be found all throughout the park. Anybody with an interest in geology will be sure to take an interest. Minerals in the groundwater cause interesting coloration throughout many of the canyons.
Originally called Deer Park, it is now named after the original owner of the land, Frederick William Matthiessen. The park was donated to the state of Illinois after his death in 1918.
Some of the best views can be found in the canyons, especially when you find cascading waterfalls. Visitors comment that there are fewer crowds to fight through in comparison to some other parks, especially Starved Rock State Park which is a few miles to the north.
There are currently five miles worth of hiking trails throughout the park. Mountain bikers will be happy to find an additional nine miles of trail for them. Hikers and bikers alike share the park with a large population of white tail deer.
Pictured above is the Dells Canyon and Bluff Trail, a two-mile loop trail that's rated moderate.
The park offers helpful accommodations for travelers. There is a parking lot making it easy to get to your hiking start point, and there are also restroom options for all visitors.
Check out this YouTube video by Slone's Wilderness Expeditions to see some of the top sights at Matthiessen State Park:
Matthiessen State Park Fort is located in Oglesby, Illinois, and is open every day from 7 a.m. until sunset.
Have you ever hiked any Matthiessen State Park trails? If so, let us know about your experience down in the comments. Don't forget to nominate your favorite IL state parks for a chance to see them featured in an upcoming article! Also, make sure to check out our previous article to discover another one of the best state parks in Illinois.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!