Matthiessen State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Matthiessen State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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Cascade Falls at Matthiessen State Park
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 Matthiessen State Park
Location in Illinois
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| Location | Deer Park, LaSalle County, Illinois, United States |
| Nearest city | Oglesby, Illinois |
| Area | 1,700 acres (6.9 km2) |
| Established | 1943 |
| Governing body | Illinois Department of Natural Resources |
Matthiessen State Park is a beautiful Illinois state park located just a few miles south of the more famous Starved Rock State Park. Both parks have their main entrances on Illinois State Route 178. It's a wonderful place to explore nature, see amazing rock formations, and enjoy the outdoors.
Park History
Matthiessen State Park is found near Oglesby in LaSalle County, Illinois. The park is named after Frederick William Matthiessen. He originally owned about 176 acres of the land that forms the park today.
Mr. Matthiessen built a large estate on this property. It included two big mansions, several smaller houses, a garage, and even a private fire station for his family. He called his private park "Deer Park."
After Frederick William Matthiessen passed away in 1918, his family gave the land to the state of Illinois. In 1943, the area was officially renamed Matthiessen State Park in his honor. Over the years, more land was added, making the park grow to about 1,938 acres. The last building from the original estate was taken down in 1981. However, some of the concrete stairs leading into the canyons are still the original ones built by Mr. Matthiessen.
Amazing Geology
The park features a stream that flows from Matthiessen Lake down to the Vermilion River. Over many years, this stream has carved its way through layers of sandstone. This carving has created interesting rock shapes and dramatic drops.
The park has two main canyon areas called "Dells." The Upper Dells start at Matthiessen Lake with the Lake Falls. These falls drop into the canyon below. As you go downstream, you'll reach the 45-foot-tall Cascade Falls, which marks the beginning of the Lower Dells.
The rocks in many of the canyons have cool colors. These colors come from minerals in the groundwater that seep through the rock. You can also find many natural mineral springs throughout the park. These springs create salty spots that are popular with the park's large deer population.
Plants of the Park
The cool and damp canyons at Matthiessen State Park are perfect homes for many types of mosses, liverworts, and ferns. These small plants love the moist environment.
On top of the tall bluffs that form the canyons, you can find different kinds of trees. These include black oak (Quercus velutina), red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), and white oak (Quercus alba) trees. They grow well in the sandy soil found there. The park also has some special plants usually found farther north, like the Canada yew (Taxus canadensis) and Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense).
Animals of the Park
The canyon floors are home to many small creatures. You might spot frogs, toads, and salamanders living in the damp areas. Bird species, like the cliff swallow, build their nests in the eroded walls of the canyons.
As the park's old name "Deer Park" suggests, the area is home to a very large number of white-tailed deer. These graceful animals are often seen throughout the park.
Fun Activities
Today, Matthiessen State Park offers many ways to enjoy the outdoors. There are five miles of marked hiking trails where you can explore the canyons and bluffs. If you like biking or horseback riding, there are also nine miles of special trails for mountain biking and equestrian use.
Close by, you can also find the Plum Island Eagle Sanctuary. It's a great place to see majestic eagles in their natural habitat.
