With the arrival of the first day of summer and a pair of recent heat waves, the Chicagoland area offers plenty of nature to visit, including various parks and forest reserves with waterfalls on the outskirts of the city.
Here is a list of places where you can go to escape the heat.
Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve
Glen Forest Preserve is a nature preserve in DuPage County, Illinois, with a waterfall that you can visit after hiking.
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- Address: Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve, Lemont, IL
- More information here.
Rocky Glen Waterfall
The Glen Forest Preserve includes the Rocky Glen Waterfall, which may be seen by walking a trail from the parking lot on the preserve's west side.
- Address: Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve, Lemont, IL
- More information here.
Worth Waterfall Park
It is a park and recreation area with a trail that overlooks the Little Calumet River's waterfalls.
- Address: 11798 S Harlem Ave, Worth, IL 60482
- More information here.
Glencoe Waterfall Garden
The 45-foot-high waterfall flows down a hillside among plants and shrubs. The waterfall can be seen by going down one of the Chicago Botanic Garden's trails.
- Address: Waterfall Glen Main Trail, Darien IL 60561
- More information here.
Glen Main Waterfall
The waterfall is located in DuPage County's Glen Forest Preserve. The reserve contains various routes that lead to the massive waterfall.
- Address: Waterfall Glen Main Trail, Darien IL 60561
- More information here.
Blackhawk Waterfall
It is located in the Jon J. Duerr Forest Reserve in South Elgin and features a route that leads to a waterfall along the Fox River.
- Address: 35W003 Route 31, South Elgin, IL
- More information here.
Waterfall in Columbus Park
It is located in the River Forest Reserve and features green spaces and a waterfall designed by Jen Jensen, a landscape architect.
- Address: 401 Thatcher Ave, River Forest, IL 60305
- More information here.
Humboldt Park Waterfall
A slightly smaller waterfall may be found by going down the park's trail, which also has spots for birding watching, and walking your dog in this well-known Chicago neighborhood.
- Address: 1440 N. Humboldt Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60622
- More information here.
Caldwell Lilly Pool in Lincoln Park
Although it's not a waterfall, this flowery pond near the zoo is a perfect natural oasis in Chicago and admission is free.
- Address: 125 W Fullerton Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614
- More information here.
