Matthiessen State Park

Great place to go hiking with the family, significant other or all alone. Great for relaxing or for conditioning. I would recommend coming here to my parents, grandparents, in-laws, or friends. Beautiful waterfalls and great directions for every route you can take. Great if you want free fun and great if you want to pay to have more fun too. Fun skiing and great horses for horse back riding through the beautiful woods. Would come here again and again.
5 7 years ago (30-04-2018)

Bring shoes that you don't mind getting wet! We've started packing wet/pool shoes just because it's easier to walk through water than it is to go around. This place has multiple waterfalls! Great scenery, plenty of trails. If you go early enough you can still beat the crowds. About an hour away from Peoria. Love coming here!
5 7 years ago (01-06-2018)

An amazing gem of Illinois. You would never think a place like this exists so close to Chicago and in the middle of farmland (which is changing fast with all the development around Utica and Ottawa that is rapidly booming). Very close in proximity to Starved Rock and if you had to pick one of the two, Matthiessen would be the better choice. The trail layout is very nice but comes with hills and inclines but the views make it all worth it. Bring boots because depending on the season it can get very muddy. Very well maintained with no trash and well marked trails. The views of the waterfalls alone are well worth the visit. You will not get the busy crowds of Starved Rock either as this place is highly overlooked making it a very peaceful experience. Every person I’ve encountered on the trails is friendly and respects the awesomeness of this state park. If you are considering coming here and live in the Chicago area you will have a day full of serenity and awe that Illinois has such landscape.
5 7 years ago (13-05-2018)

I feel like this place doesn't get as much publicity as Starved Rock. But it definitely deserves it. An awesome place! The waterfalls were beautiful, and it was really fun crossing the river on rocks (you have to cross on rocks, so this is not a wheelchair accessible place). I might even recommend this over Starved Rock, they are a close tie.
5 7 years ago (23-05-2018)

Small state park - we loved it. Free. We hiked the Upper and Lower Dells area. Well-maintained trails; many steps to get you up and down the canyon. Can walk along floor and crisscross stream - come prepared to get your shoes/hiking boots wet if you choose. Stop in at Starved Rock State Park first - can pick up a brochure/map of Matthiessen SP. No ranger at Matthiessen. Pack it in, pack it out when on trails. Nice picnic area with restroom facilities. Leave no trace, except footprints. Warned to stay on trail for safety, and preservation of flora/fauna/geology. This is a smaller version of Starved Rock SP.
5 7 years ago (24-04-2018)