Discover the Natural Wonders of Pontiac Canyon

Getting There

• Walking

  From the main parking area of Matthiessen State Park, head towards the entrance of the park. As you exit the parking lot, take the trail that leads to the right (east) towards the Lower Dells. Continue along this path for about 0.5 miles until you reach the intersection of trails. Here, take the left path that leads you downhill towards Pontiac Canyon. Follow the signs directing you to Pontiac Canyon. The trail will take you through beautiful wooded areas and eventually lead to the canyon, which is approximately 1 mile from this intersection.

• Biking

  If you prefer to bike, you can rent bikes at local shops in the nearby area of Oglesby before entering Matthiessen State Park. Once in the park, start at the main parking area and take the paved path leading east towards the Lower Dells. Continue biking for about 0.5 miles, then take the left trail at the intersection leading downhill to Pontiac Canyon. The entire route is approximately 1.5 miles from the parking area, and biking will allow you to enjoy the scenic routes comfortably.

• Public Transportation

  If you're coming from a nearby city, take a Greyhound bus or local transit to Oglesby, IL. Once you arrive at Oglesby, you can take a taxi or rideshare service (like Uber or Lyft) to Matthiessen State Park. After entering the park, follow the same walking directions as outlined above to reach Pontiac Canyon.