Everyone flocks to Starved Rock State Park, and with good reason. The park is gorgeous. But people make the trip all the way down to this area, and most of them have no idea that there is a fantastic state park just a couple of miles down the street. In fact, most people never get to the smaller, less visited Matthiessen State Park. For the people who have visited, however, Matthiessen is the favorite. It has the canyons and waterfalls that Starved Rock has, and a visit here will make you feel like you surely are not in Illinois. By the way, it is absolutely stunning in the fall. GO RIGHT NOW.
There is a 45 foot drop between the lower and upper dells, and you can walk down into the canyon below.
Logan Ward/Flickr
Exposed limestone around numerous hiking trails makes this a place to explore.
Logan Ward/Flickr
There are views everywhere–from the most common to the things you haven’t seen before.
Logan Ward/Flickr
There is actually waterfall here (Cascade Falls) that you can play in.
Tripp/Flickr
A lot of people sit on the rocks and dip their feet in, but plenty others just jump right on in.
John/Flickr
This isn’t the only waterfall that you can experience here, either.
John/Flickr
It looks like something out of a fairytale.
Wakheenah/Flickr
From caves to canyons, from waterfalls to wildlife, this park has something for everyone.
Peter Ciro/Flickr
Matthiessen State Park is truly one of those often-overlooked gems that you need to see before you die. Learn more about the park here.
Logan Ward/Flickr
Tripp/Flickr
John/Flickr
Wakheenah/Flickr
Peter Ciro/Flickr
Want to check out some other great Illinois state parks? Use this list as a guide.
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