Cascade Falls

LaSalle County, Illinois

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: LaSalle County, Illinois
Access status: State park canyon loop with stairs; hunting-season closure dates
The walk: Part of a 2.7 to 2.9 mile canyon loop
Ground & access: Stairs, rock hopping and bench-cut trail. Canyon floors can be wet and muddy; feet may get wet at higher water. Wading and swimming are prohibited.

The Outbound: Matthiessen State Park Loop

Cascade Falls is where the Matthiessen canyon drops 45 feet between the Upper and Lower Dells. From the Dells Area parking lot, go down the steps beside the log fort replica and follow the Dells loop. The loop passes the falls on the way toward the Lower Dells; onX describes a viewpoint where the falls are framed by the middle bridge.

Plan your visit

Matthiessen State Park Dells Area parking lot to Cascade Falls

The Outbound gives 2.7 miles and onX gives 2.9 miles for the full Dells loop that passes Cascade Falls. No source gives a one-way distance from the parking lot to the falls.

Stairs, rock hopping and bench-cut trail. Canyon floors can be wet and muddy; feet may get wet at higher water. Wading and swimming are prohibited.

Where to start

Dells Area parking lot, Matthiessen State Park. The park says the restroom building at this lot is closed for repairs, with portable toilets available.

Timing & water

Park open dawn to dusk year-round per onX. IDNR lists Matthiessen State Park as closed to the public except hunters on November 20-22, December 3-6 and December 11-13, 2026. The Lake Falls bridge and trail are closed with a posted detour.

Before you go

No fee or reservation is mentioned in the reviewed sources. Groups of 20 or more need advance permission from IDNR.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore Illinois

Waterfall location

LaSalle County, Illinois.

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