Little Grand Canyon  in Illinois State

Little Grand Canyon

Illinois has its fair share of rocky bluffs and steep canyons, but this one in the Shawnee National Forest has to be the most peaceful.

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Little Grand Canyon Details

Illinois has its fair share of rocky bluffs and steep canyons, but this one in the Shawnee National Forest has to be the most peaceful. The moss-covered rocks and colorful sandstone walls sit undisturbed, except for the chirping of birds and trickling of waterfalls that can be heard in the distance. A 3.6-mile trail that travels through the canyon takes you along the lush forest and around the falls, before leading up a flight of stairs to the top of the bluffs. From the overlook, you will be able to see over the Big Muddy River and Mississippi River floodplain.

Difficulty

Low

Distance

N/A

Estimated time

N/A

Region

N/A

Nearby Parks Around Little Grand Canyon

Compare nearby parks around Little Grand Canyon when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.

77.7 mi away

Gateway Arch

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Hot Springs

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300.1 mi away

Indiana Dunes

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353.0 mi away

Great Smoky

National Park · NC

485.6 mi away

Cuyahoga

National Park · OH

Nearby Points of Interest Around Little Grand Canyon

Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Little Grand Canyon while the map context is still fresh.

0.4 mi away

Little Grand Canyon Trail

If you are looking for a challenging hike with picture-postcard views and beautiful scenery, then look no further than this trail through the Shawnee National Forest.

4.0 mi away

The Pomona Natural Bridge

A testament to a lifetime of wind and rain erosion, this natural bridge is an architectural masterpiece.

6.5 mi away

Shawnee National Forest

Home to the Garden of the Gods Recreation Area, the Shawnee National Forest feels much bigger than 265,000 acres.

6.5 mi away

Cedar Lake Trail

This 14-mile network of trails has four individual routes each bringing you to the shores where you can soak in the views of this sparkling 1,750-acre reservoir.

6.8 mi away

Kinkaid Lake Spillway

This swimming hole is one of Illinois best kept secrets and finding it around the massive 2,750-acre lake is almost impossible unless you know exactly where to look.