Cascade Falls (Matthiessen State Park), Illinois — Height, Map & Best Time to Visit

Cascade Falls (Matthiessen State Park)

By Reese Calder, Field Guide Editor · Updated Jun 22, 2026

Cascade Falls (Matthiessen State Park) is a smaller plunge waterfall in Illinois, with a drop of about 45 ft.

It lies in LaSalle County, Illinois. The site is on public land managed by Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

This is a short hike waterfall: reached by a short trail, generally under about a mile each way. The walk to the main viewpoint runs about 2.2 miles round trip. The nearest town is Oglesby.

When to go: Spring. Like most waterfalls, Cascade Falls (Matthiessen State Park) runs highest after snowmelt or heavy rain and can thin out in late summer, so it's worth checking recent streamflow and the land manager's conditions page before a long drive.

Height

45 ft (14 m)

Type

Plunge

Location

LaSalle County, Illinois

Managed by

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Access

Short hike

Trail

2.2 mi round trip

Best season

Spring

Nearest town

Oglesby

The hike to Cascade Falls (Matthiessen State Park)

Trail

Dells Canyon and Bluff Trail

Difficulty

Moderate

Distance

2.2 mi round trip

Elevation gain

229 ft gain

Route

Loop

Trail details are compiled from the managing agency and trail databases. Conditions, closures, and required permits change — confirm with the land manager before you go.

Where it is

● waterfall · ● trailhead · 41.2956, -89.0253 · Open in Google Maps. Coordinates mark the feature, not legal parking.

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Cascade Falls (Matthiessen State Park) has a documented drop of 45 ft (14 m). Reported waterfall heights can vary by source and whether they measure a single drop or a full cascade.

Cascade Falls (Matthiessen State Park) is in LaSalle County, Illinois, on land managed by Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Cascade Falls (Matthiessen State Park) is short hike — reached by a short trail, generally under about a mile each way. The walk to the viewpoint is about 2.2 miles round trip.

Spring. Flow is typically highest after snowmelt or rain and lowest in late summer, so check recent conditions before visiting.

Reese Calder, Field Guide Editor

Waterfall locations, access, and trip-planning accuracy. Full bio →

Name and coordinates from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS); height, access, and seasonal notes compiled from the sources above. Reported heights vary by measurement method — see our methodology. Conditions and access change; always check the managing agency’s current page before visiting, and follow Leave No Trace principles.

Cascade Falls (Matthiessen State Park)

The hike to Cascade Falls (Matthiessen State Park)

Where it is

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

More waterfalls to chase

Burden Falls

St. Louis Canyon Falls

Hiʻilawe Falls

Bridalveil Fall

ʻAkaka Falls

Upper Whitewater Falls

Sources