Although it was well below freezing, the hikes through the sandstone canyons of Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks in central Illinois were well worth the effort. Frozen waterfalls, ice sculptures and eddies in the icy creek were a fantastical spectacle you can only see when the conditions are right.

Giant’s bathtub in ice, Matthiessen State Park, Illinois, USA

Ice waterfall sculpture, Starved Rock State Park, Illinois, USA

Frozen waterfall in Wildcat canyon, Starved Rock State Park, Illinois, USA

Frozen waterfall in La Salle Canyon, Starved Rock State Park, Illinois, USA