Cascade Falls
- Height
- 45 ft
Cascade Falls only runs after rain or snowmelt. Cascade Falls is a 45 ft waterfall in LaSalle County, Illinois.
Closures and warnings
Seasonal cascade between the Upper and Lower Dells; wet sandstone is slippery. Stay on marked trails and stairs. As of September 28, 2026.
The falls
| Height | 45 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow | Only after rain or snowmelt |
| Flows | March through June |
| Flow note | About a 45-ft drop separating Upper and Lower Dells; scenic in spring, often a trickle by mid-summer. |
| Swimming allowed | No |
|---|
Access
| Parking | Upper Dells parking area at Matthiessen State Park near Deer Park / Oglesby. |
|---|---|
| Fee | No Illinois state park entrance fee stated on the park page |
| Hours | 7 a.m. until sunset (IDNR Matthiessen State Park) |
| Managed by | Illinois Department of Natural Resources (Matthiessen State Park) |
| Picnic sites | Yes |
|---|
Rules
| Camping | Allowed |
|---|
Common questions
Common questions
Is Cascade Falls open?
Seasonal cascade between the Upper and Lower Dells; wet sandstone is slippery. Stay on marked trails and stairs. As of September 28, 2026. Hours: 7 a.m. until sunset (IDNR Matthiessen State Park).
How tall is Cascade Falls?
Cascade Falls drops about 45 ft.
Can you swim at Cascade Falls?
No, swimming is not allowed at Cascade Falls.
How do you get to Cascade Falls?
Parking: Upper Dells parking area at Matthiessen State Park near Deer Park / Oglesby.
Is there a fee at Cascade Falls?
The fee is No Illinois state park entrance fee stated on the park page.
When is Cascade Falls flowing?
It only runs after rain or snowmelt, so it is often dry. It flows March through June. About a 45-ft drop separating Upper and Lower Dells; scenic in spring, often a trickle by mid-summer.
What facilities are at Cascade Falls?
Picnic sites.
Nearby
Public land
Cascade Falls is inside Matthiessen State Park .
Just outside: Starved Rock State Park (0.9 mi) .
Sources
5
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthiessen_State_Park (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager, access.parking, access.amenities, waterfall.heightFt)
- https://dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.starvedrock.html (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.fee)
- https://www.gowaterfalling.com/waterfalls/cascadematthiessen.shtml (accessed September 28, 2026; backs hazardNote, waterfall.ephemeral / flowNote)
- https://www.starvedrocklodge.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Park-Questions-and-Answers-Booklet.pdf (accessed September 30, 2026; backs swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed, waterfall.flowMonths)
- https://dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.matthiessen.html (accessed September 30, 2026; backs access.hours, rules.camping)
More: Illinois waterfalls