Aurora and Sac Canyon Waterfalls (Starved Rock)

Aurora Canyon and Sac Canyon each have low-flow waterfalls flowing through them in LaSalle County.  The waterfalls are located in Starved Rock State Park.

Hike Length: 1.2 miles
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Starved Rock State Park
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (2)
Crowds: High
Warnings: The rocks around waterfalls are very slippery.  There is no way to get a good view of Sac Canyon Falls.
Trailhead GPS: 41.31743,-88.99382
Waterfall GPS: 41.31860,-88.99719 (Aurora Canyon), 41.31874,-88.99815 (Sac Canyon)

Directions:

From Ottawa, head west on IL-71 for about 9 miles and turn right on E 875th Street to enter Starved Rock State Park. The parking area for the lodge is on the right in about 0.1 miles.

Map:

Hike Description:

From the parking area, take the Bluff Trail behind the restaurant going west towards St. Louis Canyon. After crossing over the park road on a bridge, a spur trail to the right leads down to the base of Aurora Canyon. At the bottom of the stairs, turn left and go a short ways into the canyon to the small waterfall.

To see Sac Canyon Falls, go back to the Bluff Trail and turn right.  Shortly after passing the top of Aurora Canyon, the trail passes over the top of Sac Canyon. There's no way down and no good spot to view the waterfall from the trail.

Both of these canyons only have waterfalls in high water conditions.

Blog Entries:

26-May-2019: Starved Rock Waterfalls

External Links:

Illinois State Parks website: https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/parks/pages/starvedrock.aspx