Is there anything better than a stroll through the woods to a waterfall? Perhaps experiencing it on a beautiful autumn day! Waterfall Glen, in DuPage county, is the perfect destination any time of year, but it’s particularly gorgeous in the fall, when the rich yellow, orange and red colors give this place a whole new color palette.

You'll find the Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in Darien.
Oleg Shpyrko/flickr
To get there, take I-55 to the Cass Avenue exit, then to Northgate Drive, where you'll find the main trailhead.
The 2,492-acre preserve includes prairies, savannas and woods. The terrain varies from flat to fairly steep.
darius norvilas/flickr
In the fall, the oaks, hickories, maples and walnut trees burst into vibrant color.
Michael Kappel/flickr
The trails at Waterfall Glen make a loop around the park.
Michael Kappel/flickr

Related Stories

9 Gorgeous Frozen Waterfalls In Illinois That Must Be Seen To Be Believed

9 Gorgeous Frozen Waterfalls In Illinois That Must Be Seen To Be Believed

 Walk Behind A Waterfall For A One-Of-A-Kind Experience In Illinois

Walk Behind A Waterfall For A One-Of-A-Kind Experience In Illinois

 This Overlook Loop Trail In Illinois Leads To The Most Magical Waterfall

This Overlook Loop Trail In Illinois Leads To The Most Magical Waterfall
The main trail is 9.5 miles long. It's eight feet wide and made of crushed limestone gravel, so it's easy to navigate. Hikers and cyclists share this trail with those on horseback.
Michael Kappel/flickr
Watch for wildlife! More than 300 species of mammals, reptiles, fish, birds and amphibians call this preserve home.
zoe rudisill/flickr
The waterfall is often crowded with people cooling off during the summer, but is typically much quieter in the fall.
Chad Horwedel/flickr
Fun fact: Waterfall Glen is not named for its waterfall.
Dave Putz/Connie Sieh/flickr
The preserve was named after Seymour "Bud" Waterfall. He was the first President on the Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners.

To see more gorgeous Illinois waterfalls, take a look at this article.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore Illinois