Fall Creek

This is a great creek (for this area) with a lot of potential. We have yet to catch it at high flow, but judging from the smooth bedrock bottom and drops, combined with various rock outcroppings and vertical (mini-)canyon walls, this should be an awesome run when the water comes up. At low flow it's mostly just sliding over rocks and can't really be run unless a significant rain event or snow melt occurs. Dropping over the biggest fall at the put in makes for a good time even when it's dry (if you don't mind the hike up just to grunge down that drop).

The section outlined here is publicly accessible by car only at the takeout. The entire length of this section is owned and maintained by the IL-DNR as part of the Fall Creek Rest Area just off of state HWY.57. If arriving by Interstate 172, take the Marblehead exit, turn right (south) onto Hwy.57, then immediately left onto Payson Rd which is the first blacktop road on your left. (If you cross a bridge on Hwy.57 you've passed over Fall Creek and gone too far.) Once you turn left (east) onto Payson Rd, you'll travel a short distance before seeing the entrance to Fall Creek Rest Area on your right. Enter and park at the parking lot.

Good news! There are restroom facilities here! However, the park has limited hours and there is no camping.

*NOTE: THERE IS VIDEO SURVEILLANCE HERE!!! We've not had any run-ins about boating here and we hope we never do. They've got a sign specifically prohibiting climbing or rappelling here (which is too bad because it would be a great place to go). We don't want to have a sign put up banning boating also, so mind your P's and Q's please! We don't have many public places like this around here, so we'd like to keep in the DNR's good graces.

Once parked and unloaded, head up a foot path that runs along the river-left bank of the creek. You will reach a wooden overlook from which you can see the last little drop and the opening to Fall Creek

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