10 of My Favorite Frozen Waterfalls in Southern Illinois for 2026

Are you ready to chase frozen waterfalls in Southern Illinois?

It’s already January, and you know what that means. It means it’s likely going to get colder, and any rain or snow that falls will aid in creating frozen waterfalls. Southern Illinois has some of the best frozen waterfalls around, too!

In this guide, I’ll show you 10 of my favorite frozen waterfalls in Southern Illinois, how to get to them, and everything you need to know about chasing them.

Important Safety Tips for Chasing Frozen Waterfalls in Southern Illinois

First things first, when chasing frozen waterfalls in Southern Illinois, safety has to be your main priority.

People have died falling from areas where frozen waterfalls are in Southern Illinois. The people who fell but didn’t die had major life-threatening injuries that likely resulted in multiple expensive surgeries and years of recovery. Don’t ignore safety and end up becoming a statistic in the next safety article.

Put safety first, but always watch your next step, use common sense, and tell someone else where you’re going before you go.

My 2026 Picks for Chasing Frozen Waterfalls in Southern Illinois

Now, let’s get to my favorite frozen waterfalls in Southern Illinois to chase in the 2026 winter weather season.

1: Shelter 1 Falls (Giant City State Park)

Shelter 1 Falls is easy to get to, and you can see an amazing waterfall that is typically hidden by trees. Most people don’t even know it’s there. I recommend viewing from the bottom, as it can get really dangerous on top.

This fall is located at Giant City State Park. Use this Google Maps Link to reach the parking areas from Makanda. Then walk up to the base of the bluff past the picnic shelter and edge the bluff line to your left for less than a quarter of a mile to find the waterfall.

Here’s a video of the waterfall on a day when it was flowing to give you an idea of what it looks like.

2: Rocky Bluff Falls (Crab Orchard Refuge)

Rocky Bluff Falls is another easy-to-get-to waterfall located near Little Grassy Lake and Devil’s Kitchen Lake. You’ll need a Crab Orchard Refuge sticker to drive to and park in this area. A trail leads to the base of the waterfall, and there are other waterfalls along the rest of the trail.

As I said, this is located within the Crab Orchard Refuge. Use this Google Maps Link to reach the parking area from Carbondale. Take the trail clockwise to get to the waterfall quicker.

Check out my free Trail Guide for Rocky Bluff and other trails in this area.

3: Rebman Falls (Ferne Clyffe State Park)

Rebman Falls is another great and easy-to-get-to waterfall. The trail isn’t even a mile in length, and on a good day, there will be 3 or more waterfalls of different sizes. It’s best to view these waterfalls from the trail, as the top is rugged and dangerous.

This trail is located at Ferne Clyffe State Park. Use this Google Maps Link to get to the trailhead from Goreville. Cross the creek using the stepping stones and take the Rebman Trail (to your right) to see these waterfalls. If the gate is closed to reach this area, you’ll have to start at Blackjack Oak near the campground to get down, which will add a few miles to your hike.

Check out my free Trail Guide for Ferne Clyffe State Park to learn more about this area.

4: Dutchman Lake Falls

Dutchman Lake Waterfalls are harder to get to, but they are all very scenic when you do reach them. There are multiple waterfalls in this area, and they’re hidden away where most people don’t even know they’re there. You definitely want to be extremely careful when going to these because there are so many rocks and steep sections.

Check out this Google Maps Link to where you need to park on the side of the road (rough road) to start your hike. Cross the first creek and keep hiking. Go right up the second and third creek to see the waterfalls. There are no maintained official trails that lead to the actual waterfalls.

Check out my free Trail Guide for Dutchman Lake for more information about chasing these waterfalls.

5: Bulge Hole Falls

Bulge Hole is an amazing place on a perfect day, after we’ve had a lot of rain, and everything becomes frozen. You can see upwards of 15 to 20 (or more) different waterfalls of all sizes in this area. Keep in mind that there are no official trails, and the area can be rugged, especially when trying to get down into the canyon.

Use this Google Maps Link to reach the area from Vienna. You’ll park on the side of the road. You really need a good topographical map to find the best area to go down.

Check out my free Trail Guide for Bulge Hole to learn more about how to reach the waterfalls and navigate the area.

6: Spillway Falls (Dixon Springs State Park)

The Spillway Falls at Dixon Springs State Park is a great waterfall to see when frozen or even when not frozen. This waterfall is very easy to get to, and you don’t even need to leave your car to see it. Be careful when climbing around it or walking on the catwalk above it, as it can become very slick.

Use this Google Maps Link to reach the parking area from Golconda. The waterfall is right in front of the parking area. There are other great trails and things to see within the park.

Check out my free Trail Guide for Dixon Springs State Park to learn more about the area.

7: Packentuck Falls

Packentuck Falls is another really awesome area with a few different cool waterfalls to chase when frozen or not frozen for that matter. You can pretty much hike a loop to see all of these falls. Be careful around Crevice Falls, as it’s difficult to get down to the bottom of the waterfall, especially when frozen.

Use the Google Maps Link to reach the parking area (side of the road) from Vienna. Take the trail and follow the loop to get to the waterfalls.

Check out my free Trail Guide for Packentuck for more information and better directions.

8: Upper Falls (Burden Falls Wilderness)

Burden Falls is on my list because it’s easy to get to and the upper falls look amazing when frozen. You can drive to the trailhead, and you don’t even have to get very far from your car to see the waterfalls. Be careful around the edges here, as some people fall and don’t make it out alive.

Use this Google Maps Link to reach this waterfall from Eddyville. Simply park, exit your vehicle, and enjoy the waterfall. Going past the cable is dangerous and could result in a citation.

Enjoy my free Trail Guide for Burden Falls Wilderness to learn more about your visit.

9: Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole is a remote section of the Shawnee National Forest with amazing waterfalls on multiple levels of the bluff. This is probably my favorite spot to see frozen waterfalls in all of the Shawnee National Forest. It’s also one of the most rugged spots to reach.

Use this Google Maps Link to reach the trail from Eddyville. Do keep in mind that the road is very narrow and rough, requiring a 4×4 to get there. Take the right-hand trail and go down a safe area based on the topo map, as there will be no trail down.

Check out my free Trail Guide for Jackson Hole for more information about reaching this scenic waterfall area.

10: Jackson Hollow

Jackson Hollow in the Shawnee National Forest is another trail-less area with many waterfalls along the bluff line. It has an almost endless line of bluffage with many natural shelters, rock formations, and, of course, waterfalls. I really only like to visit this spot in the winter because it is rugged.

Use this Google Maps Link to get to East Trigg from Eddyville. Cross the road and take R2R to 001T and stay on 001T with the bluffs to your left until the bluffs turn before the railroad track to your left. Go left to follow the Jackson Hollow bluff line.

Check out this free Trail Guide for 001T to Jackson Hollow for more information about this area.

Final Thoughts About Frozen Waterfalls in Southern Illinois

Chasing frozen waterfalls in Southern Illinois can be a very fun adventure. You just have to make sure you stay safe with it. You should also start hiking as early as possible so that you get to enjoy all the daylight hours you can.

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And until next time, I’ll see you on the trail!