Visit 6 Stunning Waterfalls on This Southern Illinois Waterfall Road Trip

If you live in Southern Illinois, you know it's ripe with stunning natural scenery, including hiking trails, scenic vistas, and rushing rivers and streams. It's no wonder that locals and tourists alike take an Illinois waterfall road trip to see some of the state's most gorgeous hidden gems. Most of these waterfalls are located near the Shawnee National Forest, and have all sorts of paths and ways to get there.

Driving to the following six waterfalls is fairly easy. We've created a specific route for this Illinois waterfall road trip that takes about three hours and forms a loop through Southern Illinois and the Shawnee region. While you could technically visit these waterfalls in any order, we think this route gives you the most bang for your buck: You'll see other breathtaking scenery on your way to each gorgeous waterfall. Spend a day or weekend exploring the following waterfall road trip highlights!

Stop #1: Ferne Clyffe Waterfall Trail, Goreville

• Location: Goreville, Illinois
• Known For: The Ferne Clyffe Waterfall Trail is nestled deep within the Shawnee National Forest and features a moderate 1.1-mile hiking trail leading to the rocky falls. You'll pass the Deer Ridge Campground while exploring.
• Best Time to See the Falls: Spring or summer after rainfall

You'll start your road trip in Goreville, Illinois, to see Ferne Clyffe Waterfall within the Shawnee National Forest. This deep forest hike leads to a thin, steady stream of fresh water that pours into a basin at the bottom of the rock formation. While the trail can get a little rocky and slippery, especially after a heavy rainfall, it's still worth it to see the shaded, marshy opening where the falls are located. You might also not see the waterfall unless you go in the spring.

It's best to stay on the marked trail while heading to the falls, as some offshoots are poorly marked, according to recent hikers. To start the trail, park at the Deer Ridge Campground, where there is an accessible trailhead near restrooms and signage. You'll want to spend a few hours immersed in this forest wonderland. Wear sturdy hiking shoes to traverse the rocky bluffs.

Stop #2: Kinkaid Lake Spillway, Gorham

• Location: Gorham, Illinois
• Known For: This multi-tiered rushing cascade falls into one of Southern Illinois' most popular swimming holes. Kinkaid Lake is a man-made reservoir perfect for fishing and wading.
• Best Time to See the Falls: Spring and summer

Drive about an hour northeast from Ferne Clyffe Waterfall, and you'll arrive at the stunning Kinkaid Lake Spillway. This manmade reservoir is an ideal spot for swimming on a hot summer day, and boasts a short, multi-tiered waterfall that spills into the sparkling lake.

This waterfall is known for being easily accessible—you can even climb the waterfall to explore all its levels. You'll find a spacious parking lot with restrooms and picnic tables at the waterfall's entrance on Spillway Road. You can even see and hear the rushing waterfall from your car. Wear watershoes or sturdy sandals to traverse the rocks leading down to the falls and enjoy one of the best swimming holes in Southern Illinois. If you visit during spring, the waterfall will be strong, but summer is ideal for wading.

Stop #3: Cedar Falls, Ozark

• Location: Ozark, Illinois
• Known For: This lesser-known waterfall is one of the tallest in the state at 80 feet, and boasts a clear, sparkling pool at the base.
• Best Time to See the Falls: Late winter or spring

Cedar Falls in Ozark, Illinois, may not be as popular, but it's a hidden gem that's absolutely worth visiting on your Illinois waterfall road trip. You'll drive about an hour southwest from Kinkaid Lake Spillway on IL-13 West to arrive at Camp Ondessonk, the campground near the falls. Technically, it's private land, so you'll need permission to enter. From there, you'll hike the easy two-mile Cedar Falls Trail to get to the falls. Since you're in the Shawnee National Forest, you'll pass through lush trees, rocky terrain, and lots of glorious wildflowers, especially in spring.

Cedar Falls is absolutely stunning. It's tall, about 80 feet high, and leads to a crystal clear pool at its base. It's a great spot for a photo-op. Spend a couple of hours exploring the surrounding area, or pay a fee to tent- or car-camp at Camp Ondessonk. Spring is the best time to go, but it's also an impressive spot to experience in winter, as the waterfall freezes.

Stop #4: Little Packentuck Waterfall, Ozark

• Location: Ozark, Illinois
• Known For: This small waterfall is part of a larger falls system along the East Trigg Loop Trail in Ozark, Illinois. It's hidden, but the babbling river is peaceful and ideal for hiking and horseback riding.
• Best Time to See the Falls: Late winter or spring

Another Ozark waterfall, the Little Packentuck Waterfall, is really hidden, but if you take the East Trigg Loop Trail, you're bound to see it. This moderate, 8.5-mile trail can be picked up on Trigg Tower Road within the Shawnee National Forest, and features several small waterfalls along the way. Just be careful to stay on the trail, as some offshoots aren't well-marked and lead to private property.

You can hike these trails, or if you know people in the area with horses, you can ride horseback through the forest! Pass by unique rock formations, a cement archway, trickling streams, and abundant tree canopies on your way to each gorgeous waterfall. It can get muddy on this trail, so bring proper footwear. Hikers also mention that cell service is spotty, so make sure your map is downloaded. It's quite the journey to see Little Packentuck, but the payoff is worth it.

Stop #5: Jackson Falls, Simpson

• Location: Simpson, Illinois
• Known For: Several trail systems lead to Jackson Falls, a small trickling waterfall with incredible hiking and rock climbing opportunities in the woods nearby.
• Best Time to See the Falls: After rainfall in spring or summer

Your next waterfall destination is just a hop, skip, and jump from Little Packentuck. In fact, you can access Jackson Falls from the same East Trigg Loop Trail, along with several other stop-worthy cascades. Stroll through the expansive Shawnee National Forest until you come upon this thin, trickling waterfall, which is best viewed after a good rainfall in the spring or summertime.

It can be tricky to traverse the rock formations surrounding Jackson Falls, but seasoned rock climbers and hikers adore the challenge. You can also walk the Jackson Falls Trail, a moderate, 4.4-mile loop trail with a well-marked parking lot and trailhead. Just keep in mind that the trail signs can get iffy at times, so keep your map on hand. Bring snacks and water as you'll exert a lot of energy on this adventurous jaunt.

Stop #6: Burden Falls, Pope County

• Location: Pope County, Illinois
• Known For: At over 100 feet tall, Burden Falls in Shawnee National Forest is one of the tallest and most scenic waterfalls in the state.
• Best Time to See the Falls: Spring or summer

To wrap up your Illinois waterfall road trip, drive 18 minutes from Jackson Falls to the mesmerizing Burden Falls in Pope County. This stunning waterfall is also within Shawnee National Forest, and at over 100 feet tall, it's the tallest and strongest waterfall in the state. After a rainstorm, this waterfall will powerfully rush down a sandstone bluff and then 80 feet into a glistening stream below.

Hike to Burden Falls via the Burden Falls Trail, a short 1.2-mile out-and-back hike. You'll park at the trailhead off Burden Falls Road and take the mostly shaded forest path until you start to hear the sound of rushing water and feel the mist of the falls at its base. Since it's one of the best waterfalls in Illinois, it can get busy here, so be patient finding parking. Once you've satisfied your waterfall chasing cravings, settle in to one of the many cool camping spots in Shawnee.

What to Know Before Your Illinois Waterfall Adventure

Planning a waterfall road trip starts with deciding what time of year you'll go. Visiting in spring, typically the rainiest season in Illinois, is best for seeing rushing cascades. But if you're more interested in swimming, summertime is best. If you want to see breathtaking frozen waterfalls, wintertime hikes might be your best bet.

Make sure you bring proper hiking footwear with good traction, so you don't slip near the falls. Bring plenty of water and snacks on your journey so you don't have to stop at convenience stores along the way. Check weather conditions, too, so you don't get caught in the rain.

Lastly, pick up your trash and respect nature by following Leave No Trace guidelines. And while this entire loop road trip takes about three hours, you might want to turn it into a weekend waterfall getaway, so you have time to take pictures and enjoy each stop.

Have you been to any of these Illinois waterfalls before? If not, plan to take this road trip soon! This route is in Southern Illinois, but to expand your sightseeing opportunities, consider this Illinois tallest waterfall road trip, which covers the entire state!