Illinois is very flat, and it gets the somewhat deserved reputation of being a bit dull, especially in comparison to other areas in the US with much grander natural scenery. However, this doesn’t mean that there isn’t anything to do, there are some lovely national parks and natural hikes in Illinois, and the Matthiessen State Park Hiking Trail is a great example, with a narrow, mile-long canyon carved in sandstone by a stream.
You’ll see beautiful green nature, lakes, a river, waterfalls, all blending in beautifully. It’s a great family walk, no big challenges, just enjoy nature with green and water, and get away from the sun walking inside the canyon.
Walk with me…
Location:
Checkout the park map for the trails:
Another good choice is the nearby Starved Rock State Park, which is far more popular, so you’ll need to arrive early to find parking. But, either way, both options make for a terrific hiking day-trip.