Matthiessen State Park

Strawberry Rock via Bluff Trail

3.6 mi · ▲ 239 ft · 1 hr 19 min

Strawberry Rock via Bluff Trail is a 3.6-mile out-and-back in Matthiessen State Park near Deer Park, IL. The route reaches Strawberry Rock at the turnaround, 1.8 miles in. It is mostly level, with 239 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 13/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi538 – 653 ft3.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Matthiessen State Park Central Road 41.27989, -89.01980
Nearest town Deer Park, IL

Directions

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Strawberry Rock via Bluff Trail

3.6 mi · ▲ 239 ft · 1 hr 19 min

Elevation 539–652 ft

Out & Back · Matthiessen State Park

Trailhead: Matthiessen State Park Central Road · 41.27989, -89.01980

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

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Matthiessen State Park Central Road, heading NE.
  2. 0.1 miTurn left, heading SE.
  3. 1.3 miTurn left onto Bluff Trail, heading NW.
  4. 0.4 miReach Strawberry Rock, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  5. 0.4 miTurn right, heading E.
  6. 1.3 miTurn right onto Matthiessen State Park Central Road, heading SW.
  7. 200 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

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

Trail surface

74% dirt21% gravel5% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:42 AMSunset 6:59 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.4 mi in (~9 min). Leave by 6:29 PM for the 6:59 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:23 PM — 3 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