A seasonal waterfall in a sandstone canyon of the Shawnee National Forest near McCormick, with 50 to 70-foot cliffs that make it a well-known rock-climbing destination. A short trail from the trailhead reaches the top of the falls.
Jackson Falls sits on Bay Creek tributary. It lies in Pope, Illinois. The site is on public land managed by Shawnee National Forest (USFS).
This is a short hike waterfall: reached by a short trail, generally under about a mile each way. The walk in is brief — comfortable shoes are usually all you need. The nearest town is Ozark.
When to go: Spring (after rain or snowmelt). Flow usually peaks after snowmelt and heavy rain and tapers through late summer — a quick look at recent streamflow and the managing agency's conditions page can save a wasted trip.
