While winter in Illinois is often described with bone-chilling phrases like “Polar Vortex” and “Snowmaggedon,” these chilly months aren’t all bad. After all, Illinois is nothing if not teeming with beautiful landscapes that look pretty darn stunning even when Old Man Winter wraps his icy tentacles around them, and these breathtaking frozen waterfalls in Illinois might just change how you feel about our frosty little world after all (because the cold never bothered us anyway, amirite?).

1. Lake Falls - Matthiessen State Park

Flickr/Tom Gill
Within this state park lies a waterfall that is quite majestic during the warmer months when you can enjoy listening to the water splash across the rocks. Even though this park is home to about six waterfalls and a few small caves, Lake Falls is probably the most spectacular waterfall you'll find there. The fall is about 30 feet tall, so you can only imagine how amazing it is when it’s completely transformed into an icy cascade.

2. Vermillion River Waterfall - Matthiessen State Park

Flickr/Tom Gill
If you are one for taking the road less traveled, then might we suggest checking out Vermillion River while you’re already at Matthiessen State Park? While it remains rather hidden, you’ll find these two frozen and converging waterfalls just a bit ahead of Cedar Point. The first waterfall creates an ice formation that’s about 25 feet tall, and because it’s near a small cave you can only imagine the incredible icicles that can be seen dangling from the ceiling of the grotto (you’ll also want to check out the ice cave for a truly awe-inspiring experience).

3. Cascade Falls - Matthiessen State Park

Flickr/Curtis Albert
Also in - you guessed it - Matthiessen State Park is the Cascade Falls, which separate the upper and lower dells. Springtime is when it is at its most voluminous, and even though it might not be flowing during the winter months, the gorge is stunning covered under ice and snow.

4. LaSalle Canyon Falls - Starved Rock State Park

Flickr/Tom Gill
Starved Rock State Park, as you probably already knew, is one of the more popular and talked about parks in Illinois. With all the boating, fishing and hiking, it’s no surprise that it draws quite the crowd each year, and this 20-foot waterfall is sure not to disappoint. And don’t forget to follow the trail right behind the falls for an awesome icy-world perspective.

Related Stories

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 Hike To This Little-Known Illinois Waterfall Is Short And Sweet

The Hike To This Little-Known Illinois Waterfall Is Short And Sweet

5. St. Louis Canyon Fall - Starved Rock State Park

Flickr/Tom Gill
We told you that Starved Rock certainly had its share of waterfalls and the LaSalle Canyon Falls isn’t the only one that should make the bucket list while you are there. There is actually an 80-foot fall known as the St. Louis Canyon that is naturally bedecked with icicles during the winter. And as if this waterfall wasn’t enough, Starved Rock also boasts another 80-foot waterfall known as Wildcat Canyon Falls, which is rather steep and narrow - so watch your step!

6. Ottawa Canyon - Starved Rock State Park

Flickr/Tom Gill
If you’re already in Starved Rock to enjoy the beautiful LaSalle Canyon Falls during the winter months, then you’ll want to head to this beautiful rock formation made entirely of St. Peters sandstone. Ottawa Canyon is nestled alongside Kaskaskia Canyon, and while it has less water than other waterfalls in Starved Rock, this particular canyon is steeper, making the trickling water plummet from greater heights.

To see more of just how stunning Starved Rock State Park is during the winter, check out this YouTube video from Red Truck Studios:

7. Borks’ Falls - Ferne Clyffe State Park

Flickr/alan berning
Within the southern Illinois town of Goreville lies another truly lovely waterfall in the Shawnee Hills known as Borks’ Falls. Surrounded by beautiful bluffs on all sides, when this fall is flowing, it plummets into a small but charming canyon. A barely visible trail ushers you to the right side where you can actually walk to the back of the waterfall behind the rocks. During the winter months you certainly won’t want to miss out on going behind the frozen waterfall for a truly magnificent experience.

8. Rocky Bluff Falls - Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge

Flickr/Randy Watson
If you’ve been to Rocky Bluff Falls, then you may know it for its beautiful wildflowers like the celandine poppy and the harbinger-of-spring. Of course, those wildflowers won’t be greeting you during the wintertime, but you will get to enjoy a serene snowy landscape and a frozen waterfall that might just take your breath away.

9. Lemont Waterfall - Heritage Quarries

Flickr/Tom Gill
If you head to Heritage Quarries near Lemont you might be in for a pleasant surprise during these chilly months. The Heritage Quarries Recreation Area may only be about 3.8 miles long but it connects with the other 3 miles of the I&M Canal Trail, making it a great area for bikers, runners or those who just want to get out into the great outdoors with Fido. While this Lemont-area waterfall that feeds into the Illinois and Michigan Canal is a tranquil spot you’ll enjoy it just as much when it’s covered with exquisite snowy goodness.

If you consider yourself the adventurous type and want to check out some of these locations for yourself, a word of warning: Always bundle up, and be aware of those slippery, snow-covered surroundings at all times so you can have a but memorable – but unscathed – winter trek through these stunning frozen worlds. Also, check out AllTrails Plus for navigating during the winter – you can download maps for offline use, which is not only great for areas with spotty cell coverage, but it also helps to save battery power, which depletes more quickly in colder weather.

If you’ve already had the good fortune to check out these locations during the winter, we would love to hear from you in the comments!

 

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

More to Explore

Winter In Illinois

Trent Jonas | December 05, 2023

In addition to chasing frozen waterfalls, there are plenty of awesome things to do during winter in Illinois. These are some of our favorite cold weather activities in the Prairie State.

  • Take a getaway to Galena. Galena is hands-down the best winter town in Illinois. You'll find opportunities for cross-country and downhill skiing, as well as snowboarding, snowshoeing, sledding, ice skating, and warming up around a crackling bonfire. Moreover, you'll get to take advantage of all the dining and shopping available in this most charming of Illinois towns. If you time your visit right, you may even be able to partake in a winter hot air balloon ride.
  • Enjoy some of the country's best ice sculptures. Every year, the town of Argenta, near Decatur, holds its annual IceFest, which features amazing works of frozen art from award-winning ice sculptors. A visit to Argenta will help you appreciate the magic of cold weather in the Land of Lincoln. Since you're enjoying the ice sculptures, why not...
  • Make time to attend a snow sculpting competition. The city of Rockford hosts an annual competition that attracts some of the world's best snow artists. The result is an incredible display of frozen artworks that brightens the city for a few weeks every winter.

Related Articles

Explore Illinois