5 Best Natural Wonders To Visit In Illinois This Year

Illinois might be famous for Chicago’s skyline and prairie farmlands, but hidden across the state are natural wonders that rival any Midwest destination. From sandstone canyons carved by ancient glaciers to underground cave systems and cascading waterfalls, Illinois blends rugged beauty with tranquil escapes. Whether you are hiking through dense forests, exploring dramatic limestone cliffs, or paddling along scenic river valleys, these landscapes promise adventure in every season. Here are five of the best natural wonders in Illinois to explore this year.

Starved Rock State Park

Starved Rock State Park is unlike anywhere else in Illinois, its dramatic canyons and cliffs shaped by the ancient Kankakee Torrent more than 14,000 years ago. Spread across 2,630 acres along the Illinois River, this is the state’s most visited park, drawing millions each year with its sandstone formations, seasonal waterfalls, and sweeping overlooks. Trails wind through 18 canyons, with favorites like LaSalle, St. Louis, and Ottawa revealing cascades in spring or transforming into frozen ice falls during winter. Lovers of geology, hiking, and photography find plenty of reasons to return across the seasons.

Beyond the cliffs, the park is rich with wildlife and outdoor recreation. Bald eagles soar over the river in winter, anglers cast for walleye, bass, and catfish, and over 150 plant species thrive in the shaded canyon walls and cool forest floor. Visitors can camp at more than 100 sites, paddle the Illinois River, or catch river views from iconic spots like Lover’s Leap and Eagle Cliff Overlook. From boating and fishing in the summer to snowshoeing and ice climbing in colder months, Starved Rock remains a year-round natural wonder. The park is at its most striking in spring, when waterfalls are at full force, and in autumn, when canyon walls glow with color.

Garden of the Gods Wilderness

Garden of the Gods Wilderness in southern Illinois is one of the most striking landscapes in the Midwest. Covering 3,318 acres within the Shawnee National Forest, this wilderness reveals sandstone formations sculpted by wind and rain over 320 million years. The short Observation Trail, paved with flagstone, leads to panoramic views over the forest and showcases iconic rock features like Camel Rock, Anvil Rock, and Mushroom Rock. Signs along the path explain the geologic history, while the overlooks highlight sweeping woodland scenery that changes beautifully with the seasons. The best time to visit is spring for wildflowers and waterfalls or autumn for brilliant foliage and cooler hiking conditions.

For those seeking more adventure, over five miles of interconnecting trails provide a deeper look at the wilderness, connecting to the famed River to River Trail. Hikers and horseback riders pass through wildflower fields in spring, fiery foliage in fall, and shaded canyons year-round. Camping is available at Pharaoh Campground, with simple sites equipped with fire pits and picnic tables, while nearby cabins in Shawnee Forest add comfort for longer stays. After exploring the cliffs, travelers often continue to Rim Rock or Pounds Hollow, extending their journey through southern Illinois’ unforgettable natural wonders.

Little Grand Canyon

The Little Grand Canyon, tucked inside Shawnee National Forest, is a striking box canyon carved from the sandstone of the Shawnee Hills. A 3.6-mile loop trail guides hikers past sheer cliffs, seasonal waterfalls, and shaded canyon walls alive with ferns and moss. Descending from upland hardwoods into the damp canyon floor feels like stepping into another world, with stone steps built by the Civilian Conservation Corps aiding the steep passage. Along the way, cascades like the Three Sisters Waterfall add drama to the rugged landscape.

The climb back to the rim is steep, rising more than 350 feet, but sweeping views of the Mississippi River floodplain reward the effort. The canyon was once called the “Hanging Gardens of Egypt” for its bursts of wildflowers, and although rattlesnakes once dominated the area, they are now rare. Picnic tables and a trailhead provide a starting point, but hikers should prepare for slick rock, sudden rain, and unmarked cliff edges. The canyon is most rewarding in late spring or after rainfall, when waterfalls spill down sandstone walls and wildflowers brighten the trail.

Mississippi Palisades State Park

Mississippi Palisades State Park rises dramatically above the Mississippi River, with limestone bluffs, caves, and towering cliffs that tell stories as old as the river itself. Spanning 2,500 acres near the confluence of the Mississippi and Apple Rivers, this National Natural Landmark is not only a geological treasure but also a place deeply rooted in Native American history. Trails wind along ancient pathways once used by Indigenous people nearly a thousand years ago, especially the rugged southern routes that lead hikers past sheer rock faces and panoramic overlooks.

Beyond the cliffs, the park brims with wildlife and quiet corners for fishing, birdwatching, and photography. Its caves and unique Driftless Area landscape make it unlike anywhere else in Illinois, rewarding those who climb its bluffs with sweeping views of the river valley below. The best time to visit is late spring through fall.

Illinois Caverns State Natural Area

Illinois Caverns State Natural Area hides beneath the rolling countryside of Monroe County, holding nearly six miles of passages carved from Mississippian limestone and dolomite. Known as the “Mammoth Cave of Illinois,” this underground labyrinth features towering chambers, narrow corridors, and striking formations like stalactites, stalagmites, and rimstone dams. First opened to visitors in 1901 during the excitement of the St. Louis World’s Fair, the site later became state-owned in 1985, preserving one of the Midwest’s most fascinating geological wonders.

Today, explorers can step into its steady 58°F environment, encountering streams, soda straw formations, and even rare species such as the Illinois Cave Amphipod, found nowhere else on Earth. With its living geology and unique wildlife, Illinois Caverns delivers a rare underground journey. The best time to visit is open year-round, with consistent conditions inside regardless of the season.

Wrapping Up

Illinois may not boast towering mountains or vast deserts, but its landscapes are filled with quiet drama and timeless beauty. From the sandstone canyons of Starved Rock to the sculpted cliffs of the Garden of the Gods, the state reveals natural wonders that rival any in the Midwest. Add in hidden caves, riverside bluffs, and box canyons alive with waterfalls, and you have a destination that rewards exploration in every season. For travelers seeking variety, Illinois’ wild side is unforgettable.