matthiessen state park

Matthiessen State Park is a hidden gem just outside of Starved Rock. If you enjoy hiking, this is a beautiful area any time of the year!

The trails were very icy but worth every minute. Slide down the stairs on your behind. FUN! Climbed an icy cliff to get behind a waterfall. Awesome!!!!

My sister and I like to hike during the summer. We normally go to Starved Rock, but tried Matthiessen. It is beautiful! We were able to take some wonderful pictures right down by the water. Loved it!

Matthiessen State Park is my favorite place in Illinois. It's just as scenic as Starved Rock (in my opinion), but less crowded and more natural/rustic feeling. While I've been many times, this was my first time in the winter and it didn't disappoint! It's just as beautiful and scenic in the winter with the waterfalls frozen and snow on the ground as it is in the spring, summer, and fall!A couple words of caution. Come prepared for the time of year you visit. This park has few paved trails and lots (LOTS) of stairs to get down to the bottom of the canyon; were the good stuff is. In the winter wear plenty of warm clothing and expect to be walking on ice. In the other months there is more often than not a lot of chances to get muddy and wet, so wear the right shoes! This is a beautiful and fun park for kids, but strollers won't work, so little ones will need to be worn or carried.

This place is a lot like starved rock except it's not on the illinois river but it does have year round waterfalls it's a great place in the summer but in the winter it gets a little difficult because the trails are really rough but it's still great

Living in Illinois doesn't give you many really picturesque hikes. But Matthiessen never fails to deliver. My family and I have come here many times over the last few years and each season is a different experience. This gem is right down the road from the more well known Starved Rock State Park. To me though this is a better hike and there are always many fewer hikers at Matthiessen than at Starved Rock.

This park has a lot more to see in a short hiking distance than Starved Rock that is right down the road. There are a lot of stairs and you will get wet if you want to experience the entire park.

This is a park visited more by locals. It lacks the amenities of nearby Starved Rock State Park, which has a lodge and visitor's center. However, Matthiessen has much better scenery (waterfalls, the chance to climb down near the water). Matthiessen is also more physically challenging (you have to climb down about 50 steps to get to the trail). If you are visiting Starved Rock, consider a trip to Matthiessen - you'll be glad you did!!

Lovely place to hike. Easy trails but the stairs down & up are tough for some. Just do it. I have been all times of the year and it is great.

If you do not have enough time to explore US go to Matthiessen State Park. Enjoy easy walk and don't forget waterproof boots. Fun for children but strollers and wheelchairs are not recommended. Hard to find parking...

Being next door to Starved Rock, I think Matthiessen is often overlooked, but it has nice hiking and experiences too. With the exception of the long staircase to and from the trail, the trails are easier to walk together as a group.

We've reviewed Matthiessen before, but we took some more cool pictures this trip. We didn't know about the lower dells, so we climbed down there this time. How absolutely gorgeous....the Fall colors, the caves (not deep). I would call it crowded this day (Sat., October 11) -- hard to find parking. They were down water, after finding it plentiful in the Spring. Some waterfalls were reduced to almost a trickle. Still breathtaking -- don't hit Starved Rock and miss this one!

Upon entering the park, the parking lot was completely full (There would be room for side parking along the parking lot parameter if the state was smart and would do it, would add quite a few more spots), there is overflow parking but it seemed far away? LOTS of people this time of year. Lots of steps and the trails arent to rugged, but it is so worth it for the views! We did see a couple with a stroller and that is not advisable, the trails are not paved and again, lots of steps! Always stay on the paths, there were a few close calls with animals that we saw today..it only takes one wrong step and there are plenty of slick spots!

Living in the area, I've been here a few times. It may be a lesser known park than it's famous neighbor to the northeast but I feel as though that makes it a good park. It's a more challenging hike and it's essential to wear proper hiking shoes/boots. Loved the Lower Dells especially and they had some cool caves to see and explore. Waterfalls were plentiful in spring though they dry up in the summer as expected. Bring bugspray it will help a lot!!!

LOVE this park!!!! Went on a Wednesday in late September and it was PERFECT!!! No crowds, shaded trails, the ~Lower Dells~ have awesome caves to explore. This time of year most the waterfalls are dried up (kind of a bummer) But don't let that stop you, it may be the perfect time of year to go. We got *Amazing* pictures.***DONT FORGET***-Bug spray-Camera-Tri-pod-WaterWe had a blast!