Meg Archer is an Editor & Newsletter Editor who has called Oregon home for nearly 30 years. She spent her childhood exploring the mountains, forests, and high desert of Central Oregon before relocating to Portland after a brief stint out-of-state for college. She holds an B.A. in English from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo and a B.S. in Psychology from Portland State University. Meg has worked in writing, editing, and media-related fields for over 10 years and joined the team at OnlyInYourState in 2015. When she’s not writing or exploring the West Coast, Meg enjoys playing tabletop games, working on visual media projects, and can always be found in the front row at Portland Timbers matches.
Canyons and waterfalls are not what one would think of when the words “Northern Illinois” are mentioned, but Matthiessen State Park, located about 80 miles southwest of Chicago, offers both. You will find a landscape unlike those commonly seen in northern Illinois, one that is abundant with wildlife, flowers, and plants, where a narrow canyon winds through the land and several stunning waterfalls.
The park is open all year, and there is no entry fee. For those looking to get outdoors, go for a hike, and find some stunning scenic spots to stop to take amazing photos, Matthiessen State Park is the perfect place to appreciate the beautiful state of Illinois without having to fight the crowds over at Starved Rock. Matthiessen is truly a hidden gem!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.