Did you know Illinois had waterfalls?!? It’s not just one either! There are quite a few across the state! Waterfalls aren’t something you expect from the Prairie State, which is mostly known for its flat terrain and farmland. Today I’m going to tell you about 15 must see waterfalls in Illinois, how to get to them and when to visit! Many of the waterfalls are located in state parks that we have run across while completing our Illinois State Park Challenge, so check that out too!

Ferne Clyffe State Park Waterfalls

Ferne Clyffe State Park is our favorite state park in Illinois. One of the reasons being its many waterfalls. If you want to check off a few waterfalls in one spot, Ferne Clyffe is defiantly the place for you! These waterfalls are spread out across the two portions on the park. Be sure to Check the map before heading out

1. Borks Waterfall

Borks waterfall trail is located off Regent Lane in the East section of the state park. You will actually drive over the waterfall on a wet crossing to get to the parking lot and trail head. The parking area is very small and can easily be missed but there is a small marker. Once you see the trail head, the trail is easy to follow down to the waterfall. The waterfall trail is an easy .5 mile hike that also intersects with the River To River Trail. I have visited this waterfall in all seasons and never seen it completely dry. If you want a sure flowing trail this is the one!

2. Ferne Clyffe Waterfall

This waterfall is located on the west side of the state park. It. A can be a seeded using The Waterfall Trail or the Big Rocky Hollow Trail. When you enter the park you will follow the road all the way back to the furthest parking lot. This parking lot is where you also access Rebman trail and Hawks cave trail and Big Rocky Hollow Trail. This trail is a short accessible trail all the way to the waterfall. It is a great trail for kids and people of all abilities.

3. Twin Falls

Twin Falls is located on the east side portion of Ferne Clyffe State Park on Big Buck Creek Trail. This Trailhead and parking lot is located off Happy Hollow Road. We followed Big Buck Creek trail onto the Bobcat loop Trail. We did not do the whole Bobcat loop, and you don’t have to to see Twin Falls and a few pretty Cascades.

4. Rebman Trail Falls

Rebman Trail falls, includes two waterfalls at the end of the Rebman Trail loop. This trail is accessed from the same parking lot as the Ferne Clyffe waterfall. This trail is only .25 miles! With its many rock formations to climb and it’s short length, it is a great trail for kids! This trail also provides for access for the rock climbing and repelling area. If you visit on the right time, you might get to see some climbers or repellers! These falls are pretty water dependent, but are usually flowing in the spring!

More Southern Illinois Waterfalls

5. Dutchman Lake Falls

The Dutchman lake waterfalls are a little more water dependent than the other waterfalls covered so far. After a good rain, there are quite a few waterfalls on this trail. The most prominent one is pictured below. After a good rain, there are quite a few waterfalls on this trail. The most prominent one is pictured below. The trail head can be a little difficult to find.

To get there, take Dutchman Lake Road and turn onto Fishing Hole at Lane. Eventually, you will see pull off parking on the side of the road, about a mile before fishing hole lane ends. The best way to find the trail head from the roadside parking is by using the AllTrails app. The trail is called Dutchman lake upper Falls Trail on there. Unlike some of the other trails in SNF, The trail here is not well marked. If it’s your first visit, definitely use the app to help guide you.

6. Burden Falls

Burden falls, located in Shawnee National Forest is one of the easiest falls to access. You can see the Upper Dells right from the parking lot, which is right off the road. Burden falls is located where is Burden creek, and burden falls road intersect. There is a trail leading down to the bottom of the lower dells. Please be careful when viewing these falls as it is the tallest fall in Illinois at just over 100 feet. Unfortunately, Many people each year try to walk between the lower and upper dells and end up getting swept over so it is important to mind the barrier that is up.

7. Boulder Falls

Just south of Burden falls, is Bell Smith Springs, home to Bolder falls . This another wilderness area located in Shawnee National Forest. Along with the small waterfall, there are turquoise water swimming holes, rock staircases, and cool rock formations to see at Bell Smith Springs! Boulder falls is located on the Sentry Bluff Trail. The parking lot and trail head is located on Bell Smith Springs Road, which is off Ozark Road. This is one of our favorite places to visit in the Shawnee National Forest!

8.Jackson Falls

Like the previous two waterfalls, Jackson falls is located off Ozark Road. From Ozark Road, you will turn onto a gravel road called Glen St. Falls Road. You will have to cross the creek to get from the parking lot to the trail so please use caution. From the beginning of the trail you are at the top of the waterfall looking down. Following the trail, will take you around to the bottom of the waterfall. There are many areas for climbing and camping around Jackson Falls.

Camp Ondessonk Waterfalls

Camp Ondessonk is an outdoor youth camp and retreat located in the Shawnee National Forest. Throughout the year, they offer camps and retreats for all age groups, but are especially busy during the summer. During the off-season, August- May, you can get a day pass to hike and bike. To get a day pass, check in at the St Noel office.

9. Cedar Falls

Cedar Falls is located on the Cedar falls trail and is the tallest free flowing waterfall in Illinois!

10. Ondessonk Cascades

These beautiful cascades are located near suspension bridge at the beginning of the Cedar falls trail.

Starved Rock State Park Waterfalls

Starved Rock State park is a beautiful state park in northeast Illinois. It has 14 canyons that boast waterfalls! Here are Three that were flowing during our visit in August, but would be even more beautiful in the spring!

11. La Salle Canyon Waterfall

To visit the La Salle Canyon waterfall we parked in the La Salle Canyon parking lot off Route 71. From this parking lot trailhead, you can go to west to La Salle Canyon. To the waterfall it is a 2.3 mile out and back trail. We did this trail on an early Thursday morning and had the trail all to ourselves! 

12. French Canyon Waterfall

To visit French Canyon start at the visitor center. This is a quick .4 mile hike to the waterfall. This Waterfall is very rain dependent but is beautiful when it’s flowing.

13. St. Louis Canyon Waterfall

For the shortest hike to the waterfall park In the parking lot off 178 about a half mile south of the main parking lot. From here you can hike 0.75miles to St Louis Canyon. The this canyon usually has a good amount of flow from its waterfall but is best after a rain!

Northern Illinois Waterfalls

14. Cascade Falls

The beautiful cascade falls is located at Matthiessen State Park. Not far from starved rock, this park boasts many similar canyons, and waterfalls. Cascade Falls being the largest. To see the waterfalls visit the Dells area portion of the park. You can see the waterfalls from the bluff trails or taking the stairs down into the Interior gorge trail.

15. Thunder Bay Falls

Thunder bay falls, is located outside of the quaint town of Galena. These falls can be viewed from their small parking lot, which is right off Thunder Bay Road. We visited after a drought in September, and they only had a small amount of water at that time, but they are usually flowing pretty well. Even though the falls weren’t flowing as much as usual, the river they were flowing into was still really scenic. There is even a selfie stand in front of the falls!

Best time to visit Illinois Waterfalls

Late winter and Spring is the best time to visit waterfalls in Illinois. The melting snow and spring rains help to get these waterfalls flowing nice and strong. If visiting in the fall or summer try to go right after a good rain for best flow!

Safety First

If you are chasing waterfalls, especially during rainy season, you are going to run into some slippery situations. Wear proper footwear bring hiking poles and abide by guard rails. People get injured, and even die every year by getting too close to some of these waterfalls. Don’t be one of those people!

Spring is coming

If you need something to do to break those winter blues, or you are feeling down on a rainy day you can always go chasing waterfalls! There are still a few more waterfalls on my Illinois bucket list, let me know if you’ve been to them! Don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram!