French Canyon

Oglesby, Illinois

4.5/5

based on 2 reviews

Save

View all 7 photos

All 7 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

0.45 miles

Elevation Gain

36 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Brandyn Murray

French Canyon is the closest and easiest hike in Starved Rock State Park starting from the visitors center. Easy for families with children to access to enjoy the water fall at the trails end.

Starting from the visitors center or the parks restaurant, depending on where you parked. If you were forced to park by the restaurant because of a busy day, you will start the trail head with a map of the park. You will follow the tallest stairs of the park down to the visitors center where the trail splits into two ways.

Up the stairs or turn to the right. You will take the right and follow the trail until you get to another fork. You will continue to walk through the trees to French Canyon. This trail is an out and back where you will have to walk up slippery rocks if the waterfall is flowing, depending on the time of year you decide to visit.

If you'd like to add onto the hike, you can head to Wildcat Canyon see a 125 foot waterfall.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Download GPX File

Features

Fitness

Photography

Running

Hiking

Dog Friendly

Family Friendly

Forest

Scenic

Waterfalls

French Canyon Reviews

Brandyn Murray

French Canyon

11/02/16

If you aren't much of a hiker or explorer but are interested in waterfalls, definitely check out French Canyon. The most challenging part is walking down and up the flights of stairs. After reaching the canyon the cool air will be all worth the sweat. This is a fairly easy hike. The easiest one in the park.

4.0

Explorer

Grant Whitty

Explorer

French Canyon

09/28/16

It is crazy to think that there are waterfalls in Illinois. If you are in Chicago, take the trip down to Starved Rock for the day! The waterfalls in this canyon and many others are incredible, go in the spring run-off season for the best waterfall flow!

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

La Salle Canyon

This out-and-back trail is one of the parks longest trails. Starting from the visitors center it is 2.1 mile hike one way and 4.2 miles if you go out and back. The trail is very much worth the long trek. You enjoy the views and fresh air of the Illinois river. You will also walk past the Illinois Dam. This trail is mostly walking a long the river. On the way to the canyon you will pass by many ...

Wildcat Canyon Waterfall

If you happen to find yourself in the Chicagoland area be sure to check out the Wildcat Canyon hike at Starved Rock State Park. This is a 2 mile out and back hike from the visitor's center that leads to the largest waterfall in the park. There are two viewpoints from the top of the canyon or you can descend the stairs to the bottom and explore the canyon. The waterfall tends to be at its fulles...

Lover's Leap Overlook

Starved Rock State Park is just outside of Oglesby, Illinois. The park features sandstone bluffs and the Illinois River runs through the park. Dogs are allowed on trail if kept on leash. The trail is open year-round for a variety of activities. The Lover's Leap Overlook Trail is rated as beginner to moderate, based on the amount of stairs on the trail.

St. Louis Canyon

The hike from the visitor center or lodge is 1.35 miles. For a shorter hike you can park just south of the park entrance on Route 178 and hike 10 minutes to the canyon and falls. Spring is the best time to see the waterfall and winter also provides a unique perspective once the waterfall freezes and turns into an ice fall. Starved Rock has some very interesting rock formations you can explore...

Hike the Matthiessen State Park Loop

With 5 miles of trails, which alternate between cliffs, canyons, and bluffs, Matthiessen State Park has plenty to offer. This particular trail also includes three waterfalls, along the way. From the Dells Area parking lot, head down the steps next to the log fort replica. At the 4-way junction turn right, where the trail follows along the Upper Dell. At the T-junction with Bluff Trail, turn lef...

Hike the Lower Dells at Matthiessen State Park

Starting off right from the parking lot at Matthiessen State Park, follow the trail markers through the forest, across beautiful bridges, and find your way to one of the many stunning waterfalls. Depending on when you go, the water level will vary greatly. During the summer months the water level is fairly low so getting across river crossings is fairly easy, during the spring/fall months howev...

French Canyon

Details

Description

Download the Outbound mobile app

Features

French Canyon Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

La Salle Canyon

Wildcat Canyon Waterfall

Lover's Leap Overlook

St. Louis Canyon

Hike the Matthiessen State Park Loop

Hike the Lower Dells at Matthiessen State Park

Discover

Community

Company

Follow Us

Mobile Apps