Explore the Little Grand Canyons of Missouri and Illinois

Everybody should make a point to get to Arizona to take in the Grand Canyon. There are no pictures or video that can accurately represent the scope and enormity of it. It’s something that needs to be experienced in person.

Hidden off the beaten path in Illinois and Missouri and natural wonders

If you’ve already been, you know there’s nothing that can measure up. However, it may be worth the journey and adventure to seek out the “Little Grand Canyons”. Several states have Little Grand Canyons, including Illinois and Missouri. And, no they aren’t connected.

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In Illinois the Little Grand Canyon is within the Shawnee National Forest and south of Murphysboro. While nowhere near the size and striking beauty that the original is, it certainly stands out as a natural beauty. Especially in a state that primarily is known for mostly flat farmland.

The Show-Me state version of the Little Grand Canyon is in Grand Gulf State Park, south of Koshkonong, and is considered one of the natural wonders of the Ozarks. The pristine scenery of the Ozark region is well known. That this one area is a highlight should be enough to put it on your list of “must see”.

The Illinois version is bigger and deeper, but the Missouri one is part of a larger collapsed cave system, which make them both unique. Illinois and Missouri aren’t the only stats with “Little Grand Canyons”. Utah and Georgia have their own versions too. Maybe get to all of them to complete your collection. But definitely get to Arizona to see the original. Little versions aside, there is nothing else like it.