“Don’t go chasing waterfalls” might be timeless advice, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a little sightseeing. If you want to take a day trip outside of Chicago, you’ll find a number of beautiful waterfalls perfect for Instagram or simply taking in the view. Get behind the wheel and chase these seven stunning landmarks.

France Park Falls

Driving Distance from Chicago: 2 hours, 30 minutes

A large waterfall falls into a wide quarry outside Chicago
France Park Falls is the centerpiece of an abandoned quarry.

Indiana is a close neighbor of Chicago. If you drive down around the southern tip of Lake Michigan and southeast into the state, you’ll find France Park in Logansport, Indiana. The centerpiece of the park is an abandoned quarry that is now a magnet for scuba divers. The park is also home to the 15-foot France Park Falls.

If you are looking for more than just a waterfall, France Park also has more than 10 miles of hiking trails made for walkers, bikers, and cross country skiers. For a longer visit, consider the park’s campgrounds.

Giant’s Bathtub Falls

Driving Distance from Chicago: 1 hour, 40 minutes

A multi-tiered waterfall flows into a large basin outside Chicago
The Giant's Bathtub name refers to the waterfall's large, clear basin.

In less than two hours, you can leave Chicago and the Chicagoland suburbs behind. Matthiessen State Park in Oglesby, Illinois is worth the trip, offering up a picturesque natural landscape dotted with canyons, prairie land, and forested earth. The Giant’s Bathtub Falls spill over the rocky lip of a Vermillion River tributary. While not as tall as some of the falls you can see near Chicago, this watery attraction lives up to its name with a large clear pool at its base, fit for a giant.

Matthiessen State Park is naturally a hiker’s paradise. Plus, it has the bonus of being near two other parks ripe for exploring: Buffalo Rock State Park and Starved Rock State Park.

Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve

Driving Distance from Chicago: 55 minutes

Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve, located in South Elgin, is located on the banks of the Fox River. The park attracts people who want to get out on the water to canoe or fish, as well as hikers, bikers, and picnickers. The waterfall at Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve is not an often-advertised attraction, but it's worth taking the time to find.

The waterfall here is unnamed, but it has attracted some attention as an under-the-radar spot to visit. Surrounded by trees on both sides, water gently spills over the edge of a short waterfall, creating a peaceful and gorgeous picture. The waterfall is located not far off of Route 31, according to the Chicago Tribune.

LaSalle Canyon and Wildcat Canyon Falls

Driving Distance from Chicago: 1 hour, 35 minutes

A multi-tiered waterfall flows into a large basin with clifflike sides
Starved Rock State Park features a number of stunning waterfalls.

With Starved Rock State Park and Matthiessen State Park so close together, you can easily make a day of spotting different waterfalls. Starved Rock has miles of hiking trails that wind through the park and lead to a series of deep canyons. You can look down into the rocky cuts or hike down trails to the base of some of the canyons. You can even stand under some of the waterfalls, gushing or trickling depending on how much water is feeding them at the time.

Of the park’s several waterfalls, the ones at LaSalle Canyon and Wildcat Canyon are two of the most spectacular. LaSalle Canyon is a two-mile hike from the park’s visitor center and features a 25-foot waterfall. Wildcat Canyon is even closer to the visitor’s center, just one mile, and here you'll see the park’s tallest waterfall at 70 feet. You can view the Wildcat Canyon Falls from the top or trek down to their base. If one day isn’t enough time to enjoy the park, Starved Rock does have campgrounds.

Rocky Glen Waterfall

Driving Distance from Chicago: 30 minutes

A short, wide waterfall flows over rocks outside Chicago
The man-made Rocky Glen Falls is a popular attraction at Waterfall Glen.

Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in the suburb of Darien gives Chicagoans the opportunity to see a waterfall within less than an hour. The forest preserve covers more than 2,000 acres filled with native plants and wildlife. Walk along Sawmill Creek, or explore the more than 700-acre Bluff Savanna. The forest preserve also has quarries for those who like to fish.

Rocky Glen Waterfall is one of the most popular attractions at Waterfall Glen. Wider than it is tall, this waterfall still makes for a striking image. You might hear the man-made waterfall before you see it; the water flows hard and fast enough to announce its presence. Stop by the rocky banks on either side of the waterfall for photos.

Thunder Bay Falls

Driving Distance from Chicago: 2 hours, 50 minutes

A large waterfall runs over a rock wall with fall foliage outside Chicago
Hikers can approach Thunder Bay Falls from a nearby trail.

Galena, Illinois is a popular weekend getaway destination for Chicagoland residents. The drive, while manageable, feels far enough removed from the city. The historic town is known for its 19th-century architecture and beautiful outdoors. While the waterfalls of Illinois’s state parks usually mean at least a little bit of hiking, you can drive to see Galena’s Thunder Bay Falls.

The water of Thunder Bay Falls comes from Lake Galena and rushes down a rocky wall. Visitors often bring picnics to spend some time at the scenic spot. If you want to do some more exploring in the area, Apple River Canyon State Park (canyons almost always mean waterfalls) is not far from Galena.