A small, seasonal sandstone-ledge waterfall inside the Burden Falls Wilderness of Shawnee National Forest.
Burden Falls drops about 20 feet over a sandstone ledge, with the creek continuing in cascades for another 80 feet or so below — a modest drop by national standards, but one of the taller named waterfalls in Illinois. It sits inside the roughly 3,775-acre Burden Falls Wilderness, a roadless tract of second-growth hardwood forest in Pope and Saline counties protected under the 1990 Illinois Wilderness Act.
The trail from the small lot on Burden Falls Road is short, but rocky sections near the creek can be slippery, and sturdy footwear is worth the trouble. Because the creek is seasonal, the falls are most dramatic after rain or during spring runoff and can be reduced to a trickle in a dry summer. Dogs are welcome on leash, and side paths invite a longer look at the surrounding forest.
Know before you go
Burden Falls Road, Shawnee National Forest, Pope County, IL.
A seasonal waterfall; best after rain or during spring runoff.
Short trail from the Burden Falls Road parking area; rocky and can be slippery.
No fee; national forest land with a small trailhead lot.
Not accessible; natural-surface forest trail with uneven footing.
2026-10-11. Conditions and requirements can change; confirm with the land manager before travelling.
Sources & further reading
This is a researched visitor guide, not a claim that our editors have personally visited. Trail conditions, permits, and access can change.