Waterfall Hikes in Illinois (IL)
0 National Parks
1442 Major Cities
6 Waterfalls
to explore
Illinois’s waterfalls are concentrated in the unglaciated Shawnee Hills and along sandstone bluffs of the Mississippi and Illinois River valleys, with most of the state dominated by flat, glaciated plains that produce few falls. Hikes are generally moderate, following wooded ravines and rocky stream channels with occasional short, family‑friendly paths; the state’s falls are typically modest seepage and ledge drops formed on sandstone and dolomite, making them accessible in lowland forest gorges rather than high mountain settings. See waterfalls near major Illinois cities .
Popular Difficulties
Moderate: 5 trails
Easy: 1 trails
Trail Types
Out And Back: 6 trails
Featured Parks
National Parks in Illinois
Best Waterfall Hikes in Illinois
Our top picks based on trail quality and scenic value.
9.1 miles away
Illinois
Moderate
2.4 miles
350 ft
Illinois
Moderate
2.4 miles
350 ft
44.1 miles away
Illinois
Moderate
2.4 miles
350 ft
9 miles away
Illinois
Moderate
2.0 miles
200 ft
48.7 miles away
Illinois
Moderate
1.7 miles
200 ft
46.9 miles away
Illinois
Easy
0.6 miles
100 ft
All Waterfall Hikes in Illinois
46.9 miles away
Illinois
Easy
0.6 miles
100 ft
9 miles away
Illinois
Moderate
2.0 miles
200 ft
9.1 miles away
Illinois
Moderate
2.4 miles
350 ft
48.7 miles away
Illinois
Moderate
1.7 miles
200 ft
Illinois
Moderate
2.4 miles
350 ft
44.1 miles away
Illinois
Moderate
2.4 miles
350 ft