Updated July 2026
Jackson Falls
A seasonal waterfall in a sandstone canyon of the Shawnee National Forest near McCormick, with 50 to 70-foot cliffs that make it a well-known rock-climbing destination. A short trail from the trailhead reaches the top of the falls.
Before you go
Waterfalls are hazardous by nature — wet rock, cold water, and unstable edges — and flow varies enormously with season and recent rain. Trail figures here describe the route as documented, not conditions today. Check Shawnee National Forest (USFS) for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.
Frequently Asked Questions
No measured height is on record for Jackson Falls in the land-manager and survey sources this inventory draws on. We list it without a height rather than estimating one.
Access is documented as short hike. No trail distance is on record for Jackson Falls. The nearest town is Ozark. Confirm access and land status with Shawnee National Forest (USFS) before setting out — some documented falls have no public route at all.
Spring (after rain or snowmelt). Waterfall flow swings enormously with snowmelt and recent rain, so a fall that roars in spring can be a trickle by late summer.
More Illinois waterfalls
- Burden Falls · 100 ft
- Cascade Falls (Matthiessen State Park) · 45 ft
- Ferne Clyffe Falls (Big Rocky Hollow) · 100 ft
- Ferne Clyffe Falls · 100 ft
- French Canyon Falls · 45 ft
- LaSalle Canyon Falls · 25 ft
- Ottawa Canyon Falls · 45 ft
- St. Louis Canyon Falls · 40 ft
Sources
Get trip conditions by email
Lake grades, water temperature, and seasonal conditions as the data updates. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.