What do you do on those Indian summer days where it’s still blazing hot outside but the leaves are starting to turn and all the pools are long closed for the season?
Mother Nature to the rescue!
In summer or fall, Waterfall Glen in Darien is a gorgeous spot to explore — one of the few spots in the area with an actual waterfall (though be warned … if there’s been a drought, the waterfall may be more of a trickle).
Two years ago, we did our fall family photos at this picturesque spot and we returned last weekend for a little explorer fun. The boys donned their explorer gear and grabbed their bug-catching tools and we were ready for adventure. Keep reading for my tips on making the most of your visit:
Where:
Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve
Darien, IL
Parking lots at: Northgate Road (main entrance/trail head), Bluff Road (Rocky Bluff Waterfall), and Lemont Road
Plan your visit: https://www.dupageforest.org/places-to-go/forest-preserves/waterfall-glen
Make the most of your visit with these tips:
DO: Park as close to the waterfall as possible!
The main entrance to Waterfall Glen is right off of I-55 on Northgate Road. You’ll see signs almost immediately after exiting the highway. But if your goal is hike to the waterfall, don’t park at the main entrance (signs say Trail Head). From this parking lot, the waterfall parking lot is a 2.5 mile hike — too much for a 3-year-old’s little legs.
Instead, continue south on Cass Avenue for 1.5 miles to Bluff Road. The Waterfall Parking Lot is located off of Bluff Road, and you’ll know you’re in the right place because there will be cars parked lining the roadside before you actually get to the (small) lot. We’ve parked on the roadside twice with no issues.
DO: Know that the waterfall is about half a mile from the parking lot.
It’s not steps away … you’re going to have to do a little bit of “hiking” to get there. With both boys walking, it took us about 10 minutes to get from our car to the waterfall area. The path is limestone and/or packed dirt, easy for kids to navigate. There is some elevation and no guardrails at certain places, so be mindful of your littlest adventurers (ahem, Sawyer). But overall, it’s kid-friendly and safe for all levels of ability.
DO: Bring a stroller if you want — the path is accessible.
Many visitors brought their strollers and the path is well suited for it. A rugged stroller is preferred but even an umbrella stroller could manage the path as long as the load (i.e., your kiddo) isn’t too heavy. Walking back to the parking lot, there’s one hill that was a killer with the double stroller and both boys two years ago (sadly, we are past the stroller stage now and I miss it all the time).
DO: Plan to get wet!
The best place to explore Waterfall Glen is from the creek itself. You can walk up the creek bed for at least a half-mile in either direction; the water is shallow enough with plenty of stepping stones. Just know that at a minimum, your feet are going to get wet — and if you bring kids, they are probably going to get soaked.
DO: Wear the right shoes for getting wet.
Don’t do flipflops for this one — it’s too easy to turn an ankle stepping from rock to rock. I recommend sturdy outdoor sandals like the Keens my kids wear all summer, or old gym shoes that you don’t mind getting soaked. Something with structure and support is helpful on the uneven, rocky surface.
It’s tempting to go barefoot, but I don’t recommend it. Those rocks are sharp on your sensitive feet. #DoneWithFun Daddy tried it, and promptly put his gym shoes right back on and got them soaked instead of cutting the soles of his feet.
Pro tip: If you wear do gym shoes and get them soaked, take out the insoles when you get home and stuff them full of dry newspaper. It wicks the water out so effectively and helps them keep their shape. They’ll be dry in less than 24 hours.
DO: Bring towels and full changes of clothes for everyone — yourself included.
Don’t underestimate the potential for slipping and falling into the creek — or jumping in and riding a floating log like a boat. Every inch of Easton was soaked except for a 3-inch square at the collar of his t-shirt. Have towels and a full change of clothes waiting in the car for when you’re ready to go home. I had everything ready for the boys, but nothing for #DoneWithFun Daddy and I. After carrying Sawyer on his shoulders for the hike back to our car, he was in need of a change of clothes too!
DO: Plan to spend a couple of hours here.
I had slated our visit as a quick and easy hour-long activity. We stayed almost 3 hours, and the boys would have gladly kept playing if I hadn’t dragged them away. You can easily make an afternoon of it. Just bring snacks and water.
Note: The one downside is the bathrooms. They are, ahem, rustic to say the least (think: a literal hole in the ground for doing your thing). I know exploring with kids means multiple trips to the bathroom, so steel yourself for that and bring lots of hand sanitizer. If you’ve got older kids, go to the bathroom before you leave and cross your fingers they won’t need to go while you’re there.
DO: Go back for a run if you’re a runner.
I didn’t get it in on this visit, but I’ll be back now that I’ve seen it. The Waterfall Glen trail is a popular running path in DuPage County. The loop is a scenic 9.3 miles with gently rolling to moderate hills (approximately equivalent to the Morton Arboretum). It can be crowded on the weekends, but the shaded, soft path is a runner’s dream — as long as it’s not too wet. A gorgeous place for a fall run!
If Waterfall Glen isn’t on your summer-to-fall transition bucket list (hey, I think that’s a thing) — add it. It’s free, it’s fun, and it gets everyone outside to enjoy what nature has to offer. Share your waterfall pictures with me on social media with #NeverDoneWithFun and tell me in the comments below if you’re an outdoorsy person or not!
