Are you looking for some amazing waterfalls in Southern Illinois? So now, don’t worry because I am here to guide you. Everyone knows about some famous waterfalls in Southern Illinois, but there are also some amazing waterfalls in Southern Illinois that you may not know about. Today, I will tell you about 10 amazing waterfalls in Southern Illinois.
Safety Disclaimer
Always keep your children close when near waterfalls. They can be very dangerous because there are steep slopes and slippery rocks where the water flows. Even if you are very careful, mistakes can still happen.
01 Burden Falls.
Burden Falls is located in the Shawnee National Forest. The nearest town is Eddyville. Burden Falls is about 100 feet high, making it the tallest waterfall in the Shawnee National Forest. You can see the upper falls as soon as you park. To reach the base of the waterfall, follow the Waterfall Trailhead. This trail goes out and back and is about 1.5 miles long.
02 Bork Falls.
Bork Falls is another waterfall you can visit in Southern Illinois. It is inside Fern Cliff State Park. This waterfall is different from the famous waterfall at the end of the Big Rocky Hollow Trail. Bork Falls is less crowded and not as easy to get to.
The easiest way to get here:
Bork Falls is on the Borks Waterfall Trail. It is an easy half-mile out-and-back trail. To get there, take the Goreville exit from I-57 and follow Goreville Road for less than a mile. Turn right onto the dirt road and keep going until you reach the waterfall.
03 Jackson Falls.
If you visit Shawnee National Forest you have to see Jackson Falls. This is a favorite spot for bird watchers, rock climbers, and hikers. Because it is so popular, you may find many other hikers on the trail. There are several camping spots along the route. You can camp there all year round, and the best part is that it is completely free. However, it is primitive camping, so there is no electricity or drinking water.
The cliffs on this trail are some of the most beautiful in Shawnee National Forest. The waterfall is also very impressive, especially after a heavy rain when the water flows quickly.
04 Waterfall at Natural Bridge.
A very popular waterfall in Shawnee National Forest is Natural Bridge Waterfall at Bell Smith Springs. You will only be able to see the waterfall here after a lot of rain. It is also called a wet weather waterfall. Even though it hasn’t rained in a while, you should still visit Natural Bridge.
Natural Bridge is made of rock and is 125 feet long and 30 feet high. There are many natural bridges in Shawnee National Forest, but this is the largest. This trail gets very crowded, especially in the summer. To avoid the crowds, visit here on a weekday.
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05 Kinkaid Lake Spillway.
This is my favorite waterfall in the Shawnee National Forest area. This man-made lake was created in 1968 and covers 2,750 acres. It is one of the best waterfalls in Illinois for swimming. This area has sandstone cliffs and rolling hills surrounding the lake. There are many shady spots with bent oak and hickory trees.
There is a dam and a spillway on the south side of the lake. Even though the spillway is man-made, it has created a beautiful waterfall. There are no facilities here. So if you are planning a picnic, bring everything you need.
06 Garden of the Gods Waterfall.
The Garden of the Gods waterfall is a stunning natural spot in the Garden of the Gods Wilderness in Illinois. Surrounded by tall sandstone cliffs, the waterfall is fed by a clear, blue stream that flows through the area. You can hike through the wilderness to see the waterfall up close or enjoy the beautiful views from comfortable benches along the path. The Garden of the Gods Waterfall is perfect for taking amazing photos and having a picnic.
Also Read: Fun things to do in Southern Illinois
07 Cedar Falls.
This tallest waterfall in Illinois is quite impressive, especially after it rains. In the afternoon, when the sun shines on the falling water, it creates small rainbows that appear and disappear as clouds move across the sky. The waterfall drops at least 50 feet over a large rock formation, known locally as Cedar Falls or Pakentuck.
This area is typical of the Shawnee National Forest, with rocky streams, boulders, cliffs, and waterfalls. There are many places to explore around the waterfall.
08 Little Grand Canyon Waterfall.
This hike is wonderful but can be difficult in some parts. There are many spots where you will need to climb over rocks, especially when you go down into the canyon and through the creek bed. The trail can be very slippery all year, especially if the creek has water. It’s very dangerous after it rains. To go down, follow the white markers. If you can, try to go during a dry time for an easier hike.
The trail is also very beautiful in the fall, with rich colors. From the top of the canyon, there are great lookout points that offer scenic views of the valley below.
09 Big Rocky Hollow Waterfall.
The Big Rocky Hollow Trail is very easy and can be used by everyone, all year round. It is less than a mile long and is good for strollers and wheelchairs. The trail goes back and forth, and at the end, there is a waterfall. This waterfall depends a lot on recent rain. But even if there is no water flowing, it is still a place worth visiting. The trail itself has big rocks to climb on and a stream to walk through.
10. Crevice Waterfall.
Crevice Falls is in an area called Pakentuck and is an amazing waterfall to see. Pakentuck is part of Shawnee National Forest but is next to Camp Ondessonk. You can get to the trails for Crevice Falls from Pakentuck Road in Ozark. There is a trail that leads straight to the waterfall, but it has no markers. There are many other beautiful waterfalls in the area, too. Crevice Falls is my favorite waterfall in Pakentuck. It is a unique sight. You have to climb down a bluff to reach the base, and there are some open areas. Just be careful; there are many slippery spots. I have fallen there, and it could have been much worse.
Conclusion.
I hope you liked this article of mine. I will keep writing similar articles in the future, too, so that you people get help planning your trip. Again, let me remind you that you must be careful when visiting all these waterfalls. Always keep your children under your supervision at these places. Which waterfall did you like the most in this article of mine? Please tell me by commenting.
FAQ’s
1. Does Illinois have waterfalls?
Yes, Illinois has multiple other gorgeous & amazing waterfalls like Burden Falls, Cedar Falls, Jackson Falls, Bork Falls, Natural Bridge Waterfall, Kinkaid Lake Spillway, Garden of the Gods Waterfall, Little Grand Canyon Waterfall, and Crevice Waterfall. All these waterfalls are truly a Southern Illinois Treasure.
2. Does Shawnee National Forest have waterfalls?
Yes, Shawnee National Forest has many waterfalls like Big rocky hollow waterfall, Natural Bridge Waterfall, Stonefort Cascade waterfall, Easter Basket Falls and Rocky Bluff waterfall etc.