Waterfall Hikes in Illinois (IL)
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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
Trail Types
Featured Parks
Parks in Illinois
Flowing strongest right now in Illinois
Updated about 2 hours agoRanked by live stream-gauge flow versus each waterfall's seasonal normal.
- 1 Canyon Creek Cascade Roaring · 1730 cfs 90th percentile
- 2 Canyon Creek Falls Roaring · 1730 cfs 90th percentile
- 3 Burden Falls Low · 11 cfs 22nd percentile
- 4 Cedar Falls Low · 11 cfs 22nd percentile
- 5 Great Falls of the Illinois River Low · 22200 cfs 21st percentile
- 6 Homan Falls Low · 228 cfs 18th percentile
Best Waterfall Hikes in Illinois
Our top picks based on trail quality and scenic value.
All Waterfall Hikes in Illinois
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Major Cities in Illinois
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