AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Matthiessen State Park

Lake Falls–Matthiessen Lake, 4 lakes

5.7 mi · ▲ 336 ft · 2 hr 4 min

Lake Falls–Matthiessen Lake, 4 lakes is a 5.7-mile out-and-back in Matthiessen State Park near Deer Park, IL. The route passes Giant's Bathtub, Lake Falls and Matthiessen Lake. It climbs 336 ft, with sections as steep as 27% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 17/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi466 – 653 ft · steepest grade: 27%6.0 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Matthiessen State Park Central Road 41.27936, -89.01885
Nearest town Deer Park, IL
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Lake Falls–Matthiessen Lake, 4 lakes

5.7 mi · ▲ 336 ft · 2 hr 4 min

Elevation 466–652 ft

Out & Back · Matthiessen State Park

Trailhead: Matthiessen State Park Central Road · 41.27936, -89.01885

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:42 AM · sunset 6:59 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading SE.
  2. 1.3 miTurn left onto Bluff Trail, heading NW.
  3. 0.6 miPass Giant's Bathtub.
  4. 150 ftTurn right onto Canyon Trail, heading NE.
  5. 0.2 miSharp left, heading E.
  6. 50 ftContinue straight onto Bluff Trail, heading E.
  7. 50 ftContinue straight onto Canyon Trail, heading E.
  8. 350 ftPass Lake Falls.
  9. 50 ftPass Matthiessen Lake.
  10. 150 ftTurn left onto Bluff Trail, heading NW.
  11. 100 ftBear right, heading NW.
  12. 0.7 miContinue straight onto Matthiessen State Park Horse Campground Road, heading E.
  13. 0.7 miTurn right, heading S.
  14. 50 ftBear right, heading S.
  15. 1.1 miSharp left, heading NW.
  16. 0.9 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/lake-falls-matthiessen-lake-out-back-6-lakes-9-km

Trail surface

66% dirt14% gravel20% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:42 AMSunset 6:59 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.3 mi in (~7 min). Leave by 6:32 PM for the 6:59 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:20 PM — 6 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Matthiessen State Park Central Road Trailhead

Hikes near Deer Park, Illinois