5 Easy, Dog-Friendly Waterfalls to Hike This Spring Near Chicago
- taylorandthedogs
- Mar 18
- 6 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
I'm here to tell you that you don't need to leave the state of Illinois to see some stunning waterfalls! These five trails are not the only waterfalls in the state, but they are some of my favorite and easiest that I've visited with my dog. All of them are 90 minutes or less from Chicago! Water flows can vary by season. Spring is the best time to chase waterfalls due to snow melt and rain making water flow rates higher.
Ivy at Cascade Falls in March 2025
I've lived in Illinois my whole life and hiked all of these trails multiple times. Every time you visit, the falls can look completely different depending on what time of year it is. Lately I've been chasing waterfalls since almost all the ice from winter has thawed. Let me tell you, some of these falls did not disappoint! Best part of all, I got to bring my dog along.
Let's get to hiking!
#1. French Canyon at Starved Rock State Park
Just 90 minutes from Chicago, this waterfall is located in the French Canyon at Starved Rock State Park. I will say that this is one of my favorites! Anytime there is little hiking involved with a higher reward of a view, I am totally in. This is a 0.4 mile one-way trail starting from the Visitor's Center with very little elevation change. Very easy! Perfect for any non-hiker (human or canine). However, you should keep in mind there are a couple steeper steps leading into the canyon, but no worries there is a railing. You'll likely have to walk through a stream depending on water flow, it is just a short scramble. My 115 pound polish tatra sheepdog (Duke) who isn't a fan of water or hiking made it in just fine. Trail may be slick and be especially careful in winter as it can be very icy right before entering the canyon.
Visit in spring time or after heavy rainfall to see how beautiful this waterfall really is. I've done this hike in every season, and yes, it does dry up at the end of summer/fall. Visit in winter time to see it frozen! If you are visiting in summer, remember this park gets very busy on weekends. Since this canyon is located in close proximity to the main parking lot and Visitor's Center, it can be an extremely popular trail. Just another reason to visit in early spring as the crowds haven't hit yet.
Don't forget, you can submit a waterfall report on Starved Rock Hikers website after your visit.
Dogs are allowed and must be leashed. Please remember to pick up after your dog.
#2. Ottawa Canyon at Starved Rock State Park
Also located in Starved Rock State Park is Ottawa Canyon. This trail is located at the east end of the park, away from the Visitor's Center/main parking lot and most of the trails. You know what that means! You guessed it - less people! Park in the parking lot just off Route 71, there are signs that say Ottawa Canyon Trailhead. While you can hike here from the Visitor's Center, parking in this lot will make it a much easier and shorter hike. It is roughly a 1 mile out-and-back hike and is relatively flat. Be prepared for stream crossings and to navigate around a few exposed tree roots. Again, my 115 pound polish tatra sheepdog (Duke) completed this hike with no problems. Duke friendly hike = easy hike.
The trail leads to a smaller seasonal waterfall. On the Ottawa Canyon trail, there is another trail that leads off to the right. This leads to Kaskaskia Canyon which has another waterfall. This is also considered an easy trail and will only add a couple tenths of a mile to your hike. Consider this a bonus waterfall! Expect muddy trails in spring time and after rainfall.
Just like French Canyon, these waterfalls will dry up later in the summer/fall. Ottawa Canyon can be a very pretty sight to see when frozen in winter. This trail is one of my favorites to visit in early spring due to the limited number of people. My last visit was in early March on a weekday, and I didn't see one other person! The sound of the waterfalls can be quite a peaceful experience.
Don't forget, you can submit a waterfall report on Starved Rock Hikers website after your visit.
Dogs are allowed and must be leashed. Please remember to pick up after your dog.
#3. Cascade Falls at Matthiessen State Park
Another beautiful waterfall located just about 90 minutes from Chicago. This trail is located in Matthiessen State Park. My last visit was in early March just after all the ice melted - and wow! I could hear the waterfall about halfway down the steps from the parking lot. This is another seasonal waterfall that is flowing in the spring and into the summer months. During my fall visits, I usually see it dried up. Don't forget proper footwear for this hike! Expect to be hiking through streams of water and trails to be muddy.
This trail is a little more than 1.5 miles out-and-back from the main parking lot. I have to warn you there are stairs to get down to the bluff trail, and then there will be some more stairs to get down into the canyon. I consider this an easy trail, but it may depend on what you think of stairs. I will say my dog Duke has done this hike once before, so if Duke can do it then so can you! Duke is one of the laziest dogs you will ever meet.
Dogs are allowed and must be leashed. Please remember to pick up after your dog.
#4. Matthiessen Lake Falls at Matthiessen State Park
This is a waterfall that can be viewed from up above and down below in the canyon. This is another one of those low effort hikes with a high rewarding view! For all you non-hikers (human and canine), this one is for you. Don't park in the main parking lot. Park in the parking lot behind Deer Park Golf Course. If you drive by the clubhouse, there is a gravel road leading back behind the course. Careful, this is an unmaintained road with many potholes. Take it slow and you'll be just fine. It is a very small lot with limited spots. There is a ramp that leads over to a bridge in which you can look down upon the falls. You also get a great view of Matthiessen Lake! Since this waterfall flows from Matthiessen Lake, it is flowing almost year round. I have seen it down to a trickle at times.
Head down into the canyon for a much better view! There is a staircase that leads down and this is where you want proper footwear. Expect water down in the canyon especially if the water flow is high. Getting out of your car and reaching the canyon floor to view the falls takes all of about 5 minutes. Yes, that is how short the hike is! Now, if you are coming from the main parking lot, that is a different story. You can reach the falls either by the bluff trail or the interior canyon trail. I would still rank it an easy hike, but it will just take longer.
Dogs are allowed and must be leashed. Please remember to pick up after your dog.
#5. Rocky Glen Waterfall at Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve
While this may not be some big waterfall, it is still a very neat place to see so close to Chicago. Man-made but still impressive. Rocky Glen Waterfall is located in Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve just about 35 minutes from the city. There are multiple parking lots around the preserve, but you will want to park in the waterfall parking lot on the south side of Bluff Road 0.3 mile east of Cass Avenue. Check out their website for more details.
You will start on the Waterfall Glen Main Trail and then hop on the Rocky Glen Trail. Both are wide, easy terrain trails that are very well marked. It is just under half a mile one-way with little elevation change. You can view the waterfall up close or there's an overlook from the main trail. I recommend getting up close!
Don't forget to check out my Instagram @moosesgoldentails for more dog-friendly hikes and adventure! For more information on dog-friendly trails and activities in the Starved Rock area, check out my Dog-Friendly Guide to Starved Rock. Let me know in the comments if you have visited these trails with your furry friend, or let me know if you have any questions. Happy hiking!
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