Matthiessen State Park - Illinois - State/Provincial Parks on Waymarking.com

On a hot summer day, a hike through Matthiessen Illinois State Park is enjoyable because it is usually a few degrees cooler in the Dells Area and under the shade.

The main highlights in the Dells Area are the two main waterfalls (Lake Falls and Cascade Falls) and numerous smaller ones throughout the park.

Other places in the park allow for horseback riding and a model airplane airfield. Other seasonal activities include cross country skiing and hunting.

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In order to visit and fully explore the Dells Area, you must be in good enough physical shape to walk stairs - A lot of stairs. If you pace yourself, you will be fine.

Other notes for visiting:
- Bring plenty of water. It may feel cooler down in the dells area, but with all the stairs you will need some extra water. Plus, the stream water is high in mineral content and not recommended for drinking.
- Wear clothing you think can get permanently stained. If you bump against on one of the colorful sandstone walls, the color may not wash out of your clothing.
- Wear good hiking shoes that can get wet. Not only do you need good footwear for the stairs, but also for the creek crossings. Many creek crossings are stepping stones and not bridges, so if your foot slips it will get wet.
- Leave a change of clothes in the car. After long afternoon of hiking, our family usually needs to change out of our hiking clothes, whether or not we have gone to Cascade Falls. The bathroom facilities by the main parking lot (N41° 17.757' W89° 01.549') are large enough for you to clean up a little and change. Sorry, no showers.
- Is it hunting season? If your are visiting during the fall or winter, check the IDNR website to see if the park is closed for hunting.

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Coordinates listed are for the main Dells Area entrance off of IL Route 178.

Park Type: Day Use Activities: Picnic tables and shelter (plus bins for hot charcoal) Hiking/crosscountry skiing trails Equestrian Trails Model airplane airfield Bathrooms with running water by main parking lot Drinking fountain at trailhead (seasonal) Background: Historically: Matthiessen State Park was named for Frederick William Matthiessen, a prominent industrialist and philanthropist from nearby LaSalle, Illinois. He originally purchased the land near the end of the 19th Century and developed it as a privately owned park for many years. Mr. Matthiessen employed about 50 people to construct trails, bridges, stairways and check dams. The area was originally referred to as “Deer Park,” in reference to the large deer population. The original 176-acre park consisted primarily of a long narrow canyon with a small stream flowing through it. At that time these formations were called “dells,” a name that has stayed with the park. After Matthiessen’s death, the park was donated to the State of Illinois, which opened it as a public park. In 1943, the state renamed the park in honor of Matthiessen. Since then, the park has grown to 1,938 acres and includes much of the significant natural areas along the main dell, some former prairie land, and some forest land south of the original park. Geologically: The many unusual and beautiful rock formations make a trip to Matthiessen State Park an educational as well as a fun experience. Exposed sandstone can be seen throughout. The main canyon, consisting of the Upper and Lower Dells, provides an unusual and interesting walking tour. The Upper Dell begins at Deer Park Lake and continues to Cascade Falls, where the canyon drops 45 feet and the Lower Dell begins. The canyon, formed by water erosion, is approximately one mile long, from Deer Park Lake to the Vermilion River. Visitors may observe ground water seeping out along the sandstone of the canyon walls. As the ground water evaporates along the canyon walls, the minerals that are carried in solution in the water contribute to the beautiful coloring of the rocks. (from the IDNR website) Date Established?: 1943 Link to Park: [Web Link] Park Fees: Not listed Additional Entrance Points: Not Listed

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