Matthiessen State Park

Park Closures and Information The restroom building located at the Matthiessen Dells parking lot is currently closed for repairs. Porta-potties are available for park visitors. The Lake Falls bridge/trail is closed to all hiking traffic until further notice. A trail detour is posted and available. Entrance to each of the interior portions of the waterfall areas such as Lake Falls, Middle Falls, and Cascade Falls is closed as of 7/5/26 due to storm waters and the rising of the Vermillion River. Horseback riders: Trails and campground are currently closed. Will open May 1st weather depending. The Matthiessen Dells area and Vermillion River Area typically shut down on weekends from May through October when they have reached full capacity (parking lots are full) around 11 a.m. and will not reopen again until 3 p.m. Playgrounds and picnic shelters are first-come, first-served. Sunflower fields bloom from mid-July through the first week of August for the dove hunting season, located on the back side of the Matthiessen Vermillion River Area. Signs will be posted along Route 178 and the Vermillion River Area entrance road into the park.
Current closures
The following areas are closed until further notice: bridge over Lake Falls, a trail detour is posted and available. The restroom facility at the Matthiessen Dells parking lot is presently closed for repairs. However, porta-potties are accessible. Horseback trails may be closed depending on weather from May 1 to October 31.