📸 Matthiessen State Park | Oglesby, Illinois
📝 My Story
I visited Matthiessen State Park with my mom, Bennett, and Hudson, and it turned out to be a really fun place to explore together.
We started by hiking around the upper portion of the park, where the trails were clean, well maintained, and surrounded by beautiful green forest. We crossed bridges, followed wooded paths, and eventually made our way down the park’s winding wooden staircases into the canyon.
The bottom was a completely different experience. It was muddy and uneven, with shallow creek crossings, fallen trees, and plenty of places where we had to watch our footing. We followed the canyon all the way to Cascade Falls, and the view at the end made the hike completely worth it.
My 75-year-old mom completed the hike with us, but it definitely required some care and patience. Between the waterfall, sandstone canyon walls, wooden stairs, bridges, forest, and creek crossings, there was something interesting to photograph around nearly every corner.
The park was peaceful during our visit and never felt crowded. We didn’t have enough time to explore all of its trails, so this is one place we would happily return to.
🌎 Location
🏙️ Area: Oglesby and Utica, Illinois
📌 Quick Info
🕰️ Hours: 7:00 a.m. to sunset
🅿️ Parking: Parking was plentiful during our visit. On popular weekends, however, the lots can reach capacity by late morning.
🚻 Bathrooms: Public restrooms were available near the trailhead when we visited. Check the park website for temporary facility closures.
🧺 Picnic Areas: The park has picnic tables, shelters, grills, and open areas for relaxing before or after a hike.
🥾 Hiking: Approximately five miles of marked hiking trails wind through the park.
🧭 Difficulty: The upper trails are relatively easy and well maintained. Reaching the canyon floor involves numerous stairs, uneven terrain, mud, shallow water, and potentially slippery surfaces.
👟 What to Wear: Hiking shoes with good traction—and preferably something you do not mind getting muddy or wet.
🐕 Pets: Leashed pets are permitted, but the stairs and canyon terrain may be challenging for some animals.
📸 Photographer’s Note: Don’t save the camera for the waterfall. The bridges, staircases, creek crossings, forest paths, plants, and sandstone formations are all worth photographing.
🛐 Etiquette: Stay on marked trails, carry out anything you bring with you, and do not swim, climb the rocks, or enter closed areas.
🕰️ Best Time to Explore: Arrive early for cooler temperatures, softer light, fewer visitors, and easier parking.
♿ Accessibility: Accessible parking and facilities are available in parts of the park, but the stairs and canyon floor are not wheelchair accessible. The park identifies a short accessible trail near the Matthiessen Lake Shelter Area, although weather and closures can affect access.
💡 Pro Tip
Keep an extra pair of shoes and a plastic bag in the car. If you explore the canyon floor, there is a good chance your shoes will be wet and muddy by the time you finish.
Water levels and trail conditions can change quickly after heavy rain. Check the official Matthiessen State Park website before leaving home, even if you have visited previously.
📸 Photography Tip
Bring a wide-angle lens for Cascade Falls and the surrounding canyon, but don’t overlook the journey there. Some of my favorite photographs came from the bridges, wooden staircases, creek crossings, forest trails, and small details growing along the path.
The light inside the canyon can be much darker than it appears, while the waterfall itself may be considerably brighter. Watch your highlights so the water retains detail. If you want a soft, silky appearance in the falls, use a slower shutter speed and steady the camera with a tripod or against a stable surface.
Including a person in a few of the wider compositions is also a great way to show the scale of the canyon and waterfall.
🎉 Fun Fact
Matthiessen State Park was originally called Deer Park because of the large deer population found there. The property belonged to LaSalle industrialist and philanthropist Frederick William Matthiessen before it was donated to the State of Illinois. The park was renamed in his honor in 1943.
⚠️ Before You Visit
Trail access can change because of flooding, high water, maintenance, and seasonal conditions. As of July 18, 2026, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources reports closures affecting the Lake Falls bridge and access into portions of the Upper Dells. The main Dells restroom building is also temporarily closed for repairs, with portable toilets available.
Visit the official park page for the latest conditions before planning your hike.
🗺️ Want to Explore Even More?
👉 Click here to view our complete Illinois Travel Journal ➔
