Ferne Clyffe State Park
🪨 Trusted Guide to Southern Illinois’ Hidden Canyons – Updated 2025
Waterfalls and Shelter Caves in the Shawnee Hills
Tucked into the densely forested hills of Johnson County near Goreville, Ferne Clyffe State Park spreads across 2,430 acres of rugged Shawnee Hills terrain where water-carved sandstone creates a landscape of narrow gorges, dripping rock overhangs, and seasonal waterfalls. The park’s centerpiece is a 100-foot intermittent waterfall at the head of Big Rocky Hollow — a spectacular cascade best experienced after heavy rain. Add the massive Hawks Cave shelter bluff and miles of trails through old-growth forest, and Ferne Clyffe delivers an experience more reminiscent of the Appalachians than the Illinois flatlands most visitors expect.
Big Rocky Hollow & Waterfall
The Big Rocky Hollow Trail follows a narrow canyon into the heart of the park, ending at the 100-foot waterfall that plunges over a sandstone ledge into a mossy amphitheater. After sustained rainfall, the falls are truly spectacular — a curtain of water framed by ferns, mosses, and overhanging rock. In drier months, the falls reduce to a delicate veil, but the canyon itself remains beautiful year-round.
Hawks Cave & More
- Hawks Cave: One of Illinois’ largest shelter bluffs — a 150-foot-long rock overhang that served as shelter for indigenous peoples and is now a popular picnic spot
- Cedar Bluff Trail: Ridge-top hike with panoramic views of the surrounding forest canopy
- Happy Hollow Trail: Gentle walk through wildflower-rich bottomland forest
- Ferne Clyffe Lake: 16-acre lake stocked for bass and bluegill fishing
- Rock Climbing: Sandstone bluffs offer climbing routes for experienced climbers
Practical Tips
- From Marion (20 miles): Take I-57 to Exit 40, then IL-37 South to Goreville
- Entry fee: Free (Illinois state parks are free)
- Camping: Electric and primitive sites available — reservations recommended for weekends
- Visit after rain to see the waterfall at its most dramatic — but trails can be slippery
- Trails are rocky and uneven — sturdy hiking boots recommended
- The park is part of the Shawnee National Forest region — combine with Garden of the Gods (30 miles east) for a spectacular weekend
- Spring wildflower season (April-May) is extraordinary in the sheltered hollows
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Illinois state parks free?
Yes, all Illinois state parks offer free admission year-round. There are no vehicle permits or entrance fees. Camping fees apply separately and can be reserved through the Illinois DNR reservation system.
How do I avoid crowds at Starved Rock?
Starved Rock State Park fills its parking lot before 9 AM on weekends, especially during fall color season. Arrive early, visit mid-week, or explore less-crowded alternatives like Matthiessen State Park just 2 miles south.
Can I see frozen waterfalls in Illinois?
Yes, Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks are famous for their dramatic frozen waterfall and ice formations during winter (January-February). The ice canyons are a unique and increasingly popular winter attraction.
What are the best state parks near Chicago?
Popular parks within 2 hours of Chicago include Starved Rock, Matthiessen, Illinois Beach (on Lake Michigan), Chain O’ Lakes, and Kankakee River. Starved Rock is the most popular and just 90 minutes from downtown.
Explore More Illinois State Parks
Ferne Clyffe State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Illinois. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Illinois guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Wildlife & Nature
Ferne Clyffe State Park — 2,430 acres in the Shawnee Hills — features a spectacular natural rock shelter (100 feet wide, 50 feet high), waterfalls, and diverse canyon habitats. The park’s name comes from the ferns that drape the moist cliff faces — over 50 fern species grow in the Shawnee Hills, the highest diversity in Illinois. The rock shelter — used by Native Americans for 10,000+ years — was created by erosion of softer sandstone beneath a resistant caprock. The moist microclimate of the shelter and surrounding canyons supports plants typically found 300+ miles to the south — including southern maidenhair fern, walking fern, and ebony spleenwort. Timber rattlesnakes den in the rocky bluffs. Eastern phoebes nest under the rock overhangs.
Nearby Attractions
Giant City State Park — 10 miles east — features massive sandstone “streets” and a beloved CCC lodge restaurant. Shawnee National Forest surrounds the park. Carbondale and SIU provide dining and culture. Bald Knob Cross of Peace offers panoramic views. Pomona Natural Bridge is a rare geological formation. Little Grand Canyon (Shawnee NF) provides dramatic canyon hiking. Alto Pass and the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail offer vineyard tours.
