Hike-in Required
Yes
Open Year-round
Yes
ADA accessible
No
Guided tours
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Located off Regent Lane/Cedar Grove Road near Goreville, Illinois, Bork's Falls is a beautiful waterfall with little visitor traffic. The bottom of the falls is accessible from either side of the ravine with a very short hike. This waterfall generally flows year round, unlike most other waterfalls in Shawnee National Forest. Spend a day or spend an hour and enjoy one of the most beautiful places in the Shawnee National Forest. 

In wet weather, access may be unsafe. The roads leading to the falls are not in the best condition, so choose a vehicle with a fair amount of ground clearance. There is a bridgeless water crossing that leads to the falls, so use extreme caution when crossing if water is flowing. This access road crosses the creek right above the precipice, and a submerged car has been found in the pool below Bork's Falls. Take caution and avoid visiting Bork's Falls during exceptionally wet weather.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

None

Pros

Waterfall. Canyons. Creek. Hardwood forest.

Cons

Steep cliffs. Flash flood risk. Poison ivy.

Pets allowed

Allowed with Restrictions

Features

Near lake or river
Family friendly
Waterfalls
Geologically significant
Cave
Wildlife
Bird watching
Wildflowers

Location

Nearby Adventures

Lusk Creek Canyon National Natural Landmark

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