15 Incredible Natural Wonders In Illinois That Defy Explanation
By Will Suphan|Published December 05, 2023
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Will Suphan
Author
Will has been living in Arizona off and on for 30+ years in the Phoenix Metro and Tucson areas. He has traveled all over the state as well as having lived all over the Southwest. He's been writing for OnlyInYourState for one year and has previously written for Digital Journal. Will has a passion for travel and writing and combining the two is what he loves most. He loves solo international travel and has been to Thailand, France, Japan, and Cambodia.
Here in the Land of Lincoln, we are proud to have so much natural beauty and our state stands out in the Midwest as one with unmatched hiking trails, historic sites, and other beautiful places which we savor. We want to share the very best of them so that you can enjoy them too when you come to visit! Let’s take a look at 15 incredible natural wonders in Illinois.
We may be called The Prairie State, but we have a lot more than just prairies to boast about. Our gorges and canyons in Illinois will hold up against those in any other state for their sheer beauty. Here are three of the best.
Wow Factor: It's like an Illinois version of Arizona's Antelope Canyon.
Cost Free.
There’s a slot canyon hidden within the Pounds Hollow Recreational Area in the Shawnee National Forest that will take your breath away. The hike to this area is gorgeous in its own right with sweeping overlooks and stunning vistas which lead to a set of wooden stairs. Suddenly you’re descending into a narrow slot canyon as wide as your shoulders. You’ll be surrounded by ancient sandstone rock formations that eventually lead out to Ox-Lot Cave. It’s a short 1.5-mile hike that’s a true hidden gem in Illinois.
Wow Factor: All of the beauty and majesty of the Grand Canyon, but smaller.
Cost Free.
Tucked away in the Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois is this astounding canyon that bears no small resemblance to the Grand Canyon. Little Grand Canyon is made up of sandstone walls with lush green ferns strewn about. This canyon, like its namesake, was carved by water over millions of years. While it’s a treat to look down from the top, hike to the bottom, look up at these canyon walls, and be awed by the beauty of this place. In the spring, wildflowers bloom throughout, and in the fall the foliage comes alive with color.
Location: Starved Rock State Park, Deer Park Township, Illinois
Wow Factor: Starved Rock State Park has 18 sandstone Canyons. This is the best of them!
Cost Free.
The moderate 2.3-mile out-and-back trail that leads here takes you through forests, a cave, a waterfall, and scenic river views. All of that plus an awe-inspiring canyon? What a truly fantastic place to visit! LaSalle Canyon is nestled within Starved Rock State Park which has 17 other sandstone canyons, but this one stands out with its verdant foliage and intriguing sandstone bluffs. Seeing the Illinois River and the multiple waterfalls in this canyon makes for one of the best day trips in the state for getting out of the city and into some of the best nature in Illinois.
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Best Caves In Illinois
You’ll find such a wide variety of caves in Illinois, from little nooks tucked away in the rocks to vast sprawling underground caverns that wander deep into the earth. There’s something about these mysterious underground places that evoke our natural curiosity and draw us further in to see what we’ll find next. Some have quite a history attached to them and others are admired for their otherworldly beauty.
Wow Factor: Spelunkers have been taking note of this expansive cave system since 1901!
Cost Free, but a permit must be filled out.
This cave system has had several attempts to gain tourism since 1901 and has had many names as well, including Egyptian Cave, Burksville Cave, Mammoth Cave, and Eckert Cave. Now it is known as Illinois Caverns. If you’re looking to try your hand at spelunking, this is the perfect place for it. You’ll need some safety gear like a helmet, several flashlights, and some good hiking boots, but you won’t get lost as the single pathway is clearly marked. You’ll need to fill out a permit, but groups of four or more people can enter for free. Come explore the best cave in Illinois.
Wow Factor: This cave has a storied history as a stop along the Underground Railroad.
Cost Free.
Sand Cave is a little-known cave in the Ozarks that was used as a hiding spot along the Underground Railroad in the 1800s. It won’t be crowded and it’s quite the experience to sit within this cave and reflect on what it must have been like for those who hid here while seeking a way to freedom. You can get to it on a fairly easy 1.2-mile trail which is great for hikers, horseback riders, and birders. This historical cave is also a place of serene beauty worthy of a wonderful day trip.
Best Waterfalls In Illinois
We’ve shown you verdant canyons and intriguing caverns, now it’s time for cascading waterfalls in Illinois. The forest preserves, national parks, and miles of trails throughout Illinois all contain some of these majestic flowing falls. They’re perfect places for soothing your daily stress and taking in the wonder of nature.
Location: Ferne Clyffe State Park, Goreville, Illinois
Wow Factor: Lush, rushing waterfalls that you can walk behind!
Cost Free.
If you want to see some wonderful waterfalls but don’t want to take a long hike to get to them, then you’ll love Ferne Clyffe Falls. The round trip on the Big Rocky Hollow Trail is less than a mile. The falls are broken up into two sections. The first is a 50-foot waterfall dropping from a cliff. The second is about 20 feet of rock formations with the falls washing over them and dropping into a pool below. What a great way to spend a relaxing day!
Location: Matthiessen State Park, Oglesby, Illinois
Wow Factor: A lesser-known waterfall that is one of the most gorgeous waterfalls in the entire Midwest.
Cost Free.
This truly stunning 45-foot-high waterfall is sadly under-appreciated and doesn’t get as many visitors as places like Starved Rock, but it is well worth visiting on its own. The little ecosystem here is especially impressive in the spring when the snowmelt surges forth into the beautiful canyon. During the fall, the water is still lovely and is surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage. Cascade Falls should be on your Illinois waterfall bucket list for sure!
There’s something special about stopping the car by the roadside, or pausing along a high-elevation hiking trail and taking in the breathtaking views of the many unbelievably gorgeous vistas and overlooks in Illinois. There are so many mind-boggling scenes in our state that it’s difficult to narrow them down to just a few. Nevertheless, here are three of the best nature spots in Illinois that you should hop in the car and go see right away!
8. Inspiration Point
Pine Hills Road, Pine Hills Rd, Union Precinct, IL, USA
Wow Factor: This vista looks out over forests and wetlands and you’ll see why it’s named Inspiration Point!
Cost Free.
This aptly named overlook is quite a wonder to behold. It’s a short, moderate, 0.7-mile out-and-back hike to Inspiration Point atop 300-foot limestone cliffs that present the Mississippi River Valley in all of its splendor. You’ll see the verdant wetlands of the Big Muddy Riverbottom and see interspersed forests and meadows all the way out to the horizon. It’s a scenic spot that makes for the perfect getaway from the hectic city. Just sit up here for a while and breathe.
Wow Factor: Come here during the fall and you’ll feel like you’re in a painting.
Cost Free.
Almost 12 miles from Galena, you’ll find Long Hollow Scenic Overlook where you’ll swear you just walked into a Bob Ross painting. It’s up in the northwestern corner of the state and makes for an excellent day trip from Chicago along the Great River Road (US-20), one of America’s most beautiful National Scenic Byways. Come here in the fall and your jaw will drop when you see the bright colors. It’s still quite amazing any other time of year as well. Don’t miss this one!
Wow Factor: This state park has more scenic overlooks than any other in the entire state!
Cost Free.
Illinois may not be known for places of high elevation, but we sure do know how to make the most of what we have! With more scenic overlooks than any other state park in Illinois, Mississippi Palisades State Park is a haven for photographers and birders, especially since it’s a fantastic place to view bald eagles. It spans 2,500 acres and is where the Apple River and Mississippi River meet. The most popular overlooks are Oak Point, Lookout Point, Ozzie’s Point, and Louis Point. Make a point of getting to them as soon as possible!
Best Rock Formations in Illinois
All of the natural places we’ve covered so far would be lacking if they didn’t contain a framework of rock formations in Illinois which appear in endless shapes and sizes and can also make for some fun rock climbing among the hickory and cypress trees on the hills and in the ravines of this lovely state. Here are two of the best rock formations in the Prairie State.
Wow Factor: This is 3,300 acres of the most renowned rock formations in Illinois.
Cost $10 for camping.
We can’t talk about rock formations in Illinois without putting the Garden of the Gods first. These were formed by 300 million years of winds into myriad shapes inspiring names like Mushroom Rock, Camel Rock, and Anvil Rock. This was a sacred place to Native American nations who considered this neutral ground. No violence was to happen here. It is certainly a place of must-see nature in Illinois. For $10 per night, you can camp in this achingly beautiful place. Campsites have toilets, fire pits, and picnic tables.
12. Pomona Natural Bridge
Natural Bridge Road, Natural Bridge Rd, Pomona, IL 62975, USA
Wow Factor: A 90-foot natural stone bridge that was formed by erosion over millions of years.
Cost Free.
Second only to Garden of the Gods, the Pomona Natural Bridge is an iconic rock formation in Illinois. The easy loop trail is blissfully short at 0.3 miles and will take you over the top and under this stone bridge that spans 90 feet across. The whole area is utterly gorgeous and there’s even a small cave nearby. This is a natural wonder in Illinois that no one should miss.
Unique Natural Wonders in Illinois
Some natural wonders in Illinois are so unique that they defy explanation. They’re in a league all their own and leave us standing and staring in awe at what nature can create. If you want to see the very best of what nature has to offer in Illinois, check out these three stupendous locations.
Wow Factor: This is widely considered the most beautiful natural area in the state of Illinois!
Cost Free.
It’s hard to imagine that a place so beautiful can exist. The Cache River State Natural Area is often lauded as the most beautiful place in Illinois. Plus, it’s massive! It sprawls over 14,960 acres! The abundant cypress trees that cover much of this landscape have trunks that reach 40 feet in circumference and many are over 1,000 years old. It contains over 100 endangered species. Among the diverse wildlife are herons, egrets, beavers, otters, muskrats, and much more. This is truly one of the most magical nature places in Illinois.
Wow Factor: A photographer’s dream with lush and mesmerizing riverside cliffs.
Cost $10/night for camping.
White Pines Forest State Park is lesser known and smaller than most state parks at 385 acres, however, it has a multitude of variations in its different kinds of scenery. Thick, lush forests surround hiking and biking trails that follow Spring Creek and Pine Creek. The real treat here is seeing the moss-covered cliffs that make you feel like you’re in a fairytale.
Wow Factor: Come explore a cave that was used as a pirate hideaway!
Cost Free.
Pirates once roamed the Ohio River, looting and pillaging like Vikings and then returning to this secluded cave to hide their stolen goods and celebrate with drunken revelry, sometimes fighting amongst each other. Such a remarkable history makes Cave-In-Rock an astounding place to visit. You can paddle there yourself when the river is low or take a ferry. It’s amazing to think of pirates in the Midwest rather than the open seas!
There are so many more natural wonders in Illinois that it would take an entire book to cover them all. This list of some of the best of them will provide a great start to exploring our lovely state! How many of these have you already visited? Let us know about your experiences in the comments! If you’re going hiking, be sure to check with AllTrails for any closures or updates so there are no surprises. As you can see, Illinois is home to much more than the already beloved city of Chicago and the vast Lake Michigan. Start planning your adventures to these natural attractions in Illinois today!
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