Waterfall Hikes Near Chicago, IL

Chicago sits on the flat Lake Michigan shoreline and glacial plain, with a few river valleys and wooded ravines slicing into the otherwise level urban landscape. Nearby waterfall hikes are moderate and compact, consisting of steep descents into creekside gorges and short canyon scrambles through forest preserves and suburban parkland; seasonal flows swell after rain or snowmelt, and the routes are notable for their abrupt urban-to-wild transitions and easy access from surrounding neighborhoods.