Location: Starved Rock State Park, La Salle County, Illinois
Water Source: Tonti Canyon Creek
Drop: 60 Feet
Directions: Follow Rt. 178 for 2.75 miles from the Utica Exit off I-80, past Starved Rock State Park entrance) to Rt. 71. Take Rt. 71 east (left) for 2.7 miles to the Trail Parking area for the Owl/La Salle/Tonti Canyons Trailheads. Hike 1 mile to the falls. There are some stairs along the trail.
Notes: Tonti Falls is on the same trail as La Salle Canyon falls, but about 1/4 mile further along.You can pick up a map at the beginning of the trail.
There are two falls at Tonti Falls - one to the left as you approach the end of the canyon, and another to the right a little further ahead.
The first two photos show the first waterfall that I came to along the trail from the left. The third phot still shows that fall and the second one ahead at the mouth of what looks like a cave. The third and fourth photos show that second waterfall closer up. The fifth photo shows that fall and the end of the canyon to the left of it. The sixth photo shows the second waterfall without the young boys climbing on the rocks. (As they were leaving the waterfall, one of them slipped and fell into the creek. It wasn't deep and he wasn't hurt, but I'll bet he had a cold hike back.)
As I hiked to and from Tonti Falls, there were lots of woldflowers in bloom. This photo is of a Jack-in-the-Pulpit.
Page last updated 06 Nov 2002.
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