Hiking Project Logo

An interesting, albeit damp journey through the canyon bottom.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

0.4

Miles

0.7

KM

Point to Point

648' 198 m

High

624' 190 m

Low

24' 7 m

Up

2' 1 m

Down

1%

Avg Grade (1°)

3%

Max Grade (2°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildlife

Family Friendly While the trail can be demanding at times, kids will love exploring its waterfalls, pools, and crevices.

Matthiessen State Park is open from dawn until dusk.

Swimming, wading, scrambling on the rocks, and possessing alcohol are all prohibited in Matthiessen State Park.

Description

The Interior Canyon Trail offers visitors a distinct traverse that's a bit of a hodgepodge as it alternates between stairs, rocky sections, and smooth trail throughout. When you're not busy figuring out how best to get from point A to B, the terrific canyon this trail follows provides a wonderful array of waterfalls, crevices, and pools to view. When in doubt, follow the green marker posts to stay on trail.

There's a pretty good chance hikers will get their feet wet when water levels are high.

Contacts

Land Manager: Illinois DNR - Region I

Shared By:

Eric Ashley

Trail Ratings

  3.3 from 3 votes

#26749

Overall
  3.3 from 3 votes
5 Star
0%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
67%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#247

in Illinois

#26,749

Overall
6 Views Last Month
646 Since Nov 21, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
0%
67%
33%
0%
0%

Photos

A short stop to enjoy the view.
Sep 11, 2017 near Deer Park, IL
I lived 20 mins from this park until I was 19 years old. I never knew about it until I came back home when I was 30 years old. An overcast morning long exposure on the Canyon Trail.
Sep 11, 2017 near Deer Park, IL
Waterfall at the end of the Interior Canyon Trail. This water fall is also accessible by several stairs at the Matthiessen Lake Shelter parking lot.  The road to the Matthiessen Lake parking lot is a single lane gravel road next to a golf course.
Jun 17, 2020 near Deer Park, IL
Lake Falls waterfall.
Sep 11, 2016 near Deer Park, IL
A short waterfall along the Canyon Trail at Matthiessen State Park.
Nov 21, 2016 near Deer Park, IL
loading

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.