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One of the top ten reasons
travelers visit Southern Illinois is to HIKE! It is also the best way to
enjoy the scenery and wildlife. So here are several of the best hiking
trails in Southern Illinois. Choose your destination, pack only the
essentials and wear your most comfortable hiking shoes.
Beall Woods State Park
Off Hwy 1, south of Mt. Carmel (618-298-2442)
“5 trails through 270 acres of upland forest; one of the largest and
still remaining original deciduous forests in the United States (listed
as a National Landmark).”
Bell Smith Springs Recreation Area
Off Hwy 145, Eddyville (618-658-2111)
“Four creeks come together in the canyon at Bell Smith Springs. Cold
spring pools, and over 700 plant species make this National Natural
Landmark a #1 place to hike.
Cache River State Natural Area
Off Hwy 37, Belknap (618-634-9678)
“More than 21 miles of designated foot trails within this unique wetland
totaling 12,956 acres. One trail takes visitors to bald cypress trees
older than 1,000 years. The Section 8 Woods Boardwalk is handicapped
accessible and passes through 10 tree species and a swamp alive with
birds, alligator gar, amphibians and reptiles. Also, visit the new
Barkhausen Wetlands Center with state of the art exhibits, displays and
viewing decks.”
Cave In Rock State Park
Off Hwy 1, Cave-In-Rock (618-289-4545)
“Hickory Ridge and Pirates Bluff Nature trail wind along the Ohio
riverbank. Also, enjoy the historic Cave, restaurant, and free ferry to
cross the river.”
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge
Hwy 148, south Marion (618-997-3344)
“Noted for spring wildflower hikes along Rocky Bluff Trail and eagle
tours in winter. Four other self guided trails available to view diverse
habitats which provide food, water and shelter for a variety of
wildlife. At the Interpretive Center/Gift Shop obtain maps and
information about this 44,000 acre refuge of land and water.”
Devil’s Backbone
Hwy 1 off Grand Tower (618-687-1731)
“Challenging trail; the end or beginning of the River to River Trail.”
Dixon Springs State Park
Hwy 146 west Golconda (618-949-3394)
“Enjoy a self guided 1.7 mile nature trail, 1 mile trail through Ghost
Dance Canyon with 60 ft. high walls and long narrow passageways; also,
waterfalls, cliffs and heavy forests. Park features a swimming pool,
picnic area and a chocolate factory across the road.
Ferne Clyffe State Park
Hwy 37 south Goreville (618-995-2411)
“18 trails from easy 0.25 mile to moderate difficult 2 miles featuring
rock formations, waterfalls, shelter bluffs, dense flora and fauna. Park
also has picnic/play areas, camping and fishing lake.”
Fort Massac State Park
Off Hwy 45, Metropolis (618-524-4712)
“Two easy trails, Long Knife Trail and Hickory Nut Ridge Trail, .5 and
2.5 mile, loop through grassy woods, the scenic Ohio River and the fort.
The park is open year round, with special events, museum, picnic area,
boating and fishing on the river and camping”
Garden of the Gods Recreational Area
Hwy 34, turn east at Herod (618-287-2201)
“This 3,300 acre wilderness ranks 10th in the United States
for photographing sandstone rock formations and high vistas. The easiest
trail is the 1/4 mile Observation Trail for outstanding views and to see
Camel Rock, Anvil Rock and Devil’s Smokestack. Five miles of trails are
part of the River to River Trail, and some are difficult.”
Giant City State Park
Giant City Road, south Carbondale (618-457-4836)
“The 16 mile Red Cedar Trail is for novice hikers; the Stone Fort Trail
is short but steep; Post Oak Trail is designed for disabled. Other
trails through this picturesque natural wonder are Devil’s Standtable,
Giant City, Indian Creek, Trillium and Arrowwood . There is a 12 mile
loop for horseback riding. Enjoy the sandstone and timber lodge and
restaurant. Detailed, self-guided interpretive trail brochures are
available at the Visitors Center.”
Hamilton County Fish and Wildlife Area
Hwy 14, east McLeansboro (618-773-4340)
“Two nature trails circle 75 acre Dolan Lake; fishing, paddle boats,
campgrounds and restaurant.”
High Knob Lookout,
Off Hwy 34 east, Karber’s Ridge (618-287-2201)
“One of the trailheads for the River to River Trail, this is a great
walk to Garden of the Gods. A very high prominence with several picnic
sites.”
Iron Furnace Recreation Area
north Elizabethtown (618-287-2201)
“Big Creek Trail loops through creek bottoms, and large trees for an
easy/moderate hike. Several picnic sites and the historic Iron Furnace.”
Kincaid Lake Trail
Off Hwy 3, west Murphysboro (618-687-4914)
“16 miles including Hidden Cove and Buttermilk Hill trailheads; deep
woods, lake, also used by horse riders.”
Lake Glendale
Hwy 145, Glendale (618-658-2111)
“Trails plus lake with swimming beach, boating and fishing, stables for
horseback riding.”
Lake Murphysboro
Off Hwy 149 west Murphysboro (618-684-2867)
“Easy 3 mile loop starting at the Big Oak campground, is close to the
lake. Wooded areas of the park feature native wild orchids and other
wild flowers.”
LaRue/Pine Hills Ecological Area
Off Hwy 3, south Grand Tower (618-833-8576)
“Majestic bluffs overlooking the Big Muddy River and swamps below
contain some of the most diverse ecology found in Illinois. Recreation
area offering hiking, camping, fishing and handicap accessible
facilities. Some roads are closed each spring to protect migrating
snakes.”
Little Grand Canyon
South on 29th St., Murphysboro, to Town Creek Rd, then
south 6 miles (618-687-1731)
“Moderate to difficult; 80% slopes, 4 miles, slippery when wet. Canyon
wildlife includes snakes, waterfalls, large overhangs and trees. This
deep ravine offers beautiful views.”
Lusk Creek Canyon
Hwy 145, east Eddyville (618-658-2111
“A two mile trail leads to a nature preserve and canyon; 31 species of
fish and several rare plants, plus the 80 to 100 foot Indian Kitchen
stone walls believed to have been built by late Woodland Period Indians
.”
Mermet Lake Conservation Area
Hwy 45, north Metropolis
“Two easy, flat trails; ½ mile interpretive nature trail with tree
identification and boardwalk into cypress swamp and a 1-mile trail; lots
of birds.”
Millstone Bluff
Hwy 147 Robbs (618-658-2111)
“Millstone is an interpretive nature trail of a Mississippian period
village. See a cemetery, remains of a village and petroglyphs of a
thunder bird, all perched on a high hill surrounded by an 80 foot bluff
that pioneers used to carve out millstones.”
Oakwood Bottoms/Turkey Bayou
Hwy 3, south of Gorham (618-687-1731)
“Recreation area offering hiking, picnic areas, fishing and handicap
accessibility to hiking, fishing pier and wildlife viewing. Year round
viewing of birds available at a 1/4 mile boardwalk with interpretive
signs.”
Pomona Natural Bridge
Hwy 127, south Murphysboro, turn at Pomona turn-off, then right at
Gen. Store (618-687-1731)
1/3 mile moderate trail with 90 foot natural sandstone arch carved by
water over many hundreds of years; also nearby picnic area, and the
Shawnee Wine Trail.
Pounds Hollow/Rim Rock Recreation Area
Karbers Ridge Road, Off Hwy 1 (618-253-1020 or 658-2111)
.8 mile long Rim Rock trail meanders past old Indian Wall, Pounds Hollow
Lake, Ox-Lot Cave ( a huge rock shelter bluff) and Fat Man’s Misery (a
narrow passageway through massive cliffs and huge boulders). Beaver
Trail connects Rim Rock with Pounds Hollow and is 1/2 mile long.
Pyramid State Park
Hwy 127 south Pinckneyville (618-357-2574)
350 acres of forested hills and strip mine lakes offer 16.5 miles of
foot and horse trails, one rugged. Fishing and camping popular here.
Red Hills State Park
Hwy 50, Sumner (618-936-2469)
Eight miles of scenic, moderate difficult trails wind through this park;
for intermediate hiker, Indian Treaty, Robin, Valley Springs and Tulip
trail overlap for about 3 miles; also a 5-mile trail for horseback
riding and bicycling when soil conditions permit. Weekend events popular
here, plus a restaurant, camping, and winter sports.
River to River Trail
from Grand Tower on the Mississippi River to Battery Rock on the
Ohio River (618-252-6789) This 160 mile trail extends east to west
across Southern Illinois, passing through massive rock formations,
glorious vistas, wetlands, prairie grass and dense woodlands. The trail
is marked with wooden diamonds painted white overlaid with a blue “i,”
the symbol of the trail. Your best information/guide is the River to
River Trail Guide sold in bookshops, state park offices or through
the above number. Terrain varies from moderate to difficult and takes
at least fourteen days to hike the entire trail. Several campgrounds,
and lodging facilities are close to the trail as well as small villages
for supplies and food. Spring and fall weekend hikes are posted on
www.rivertorivertrail.com
Saline County
Fish & Wildlife Area
South of Equality off Hwy 13 (618-276-4405)
Four trails, the Lake, Cave Hill, River & Wildlife Nature, total 7 miles
of scenic hiking; also Tecumseh statue, concessionaire, camping,
fishing and horse trails are here.
Sam Dale State Park
South Hwy 50, Johnsonville (618-835-2292)
A 4.5 miles nature trail winds through woods and skirts the 194 acre
lake; swimming, fishing, concessions, boating, horseback riding and
camping are also popular here.
Shawnee National Forest
(800-699-6637)
Stretching from the Ohio to the Mississippi River, the Shawnee offers
270,000 acres of adventure. The unglaciated areas of southern Illinois
boast five natural ecological divisions and are over 320 million years
old. One will see massive rock formations at Garden of the Gods and
Giant City State Park. The southern area offers a taste of the bayou at
the Cache River Area, where one will find 1000 year old cyprus trees.
Two national wildlife refuges offer tourists lakes for fishing, camping,
hunting and hiking as well as an environment for wildlife. Spring and
fall offer the most comfortable temperatures for trail hiking. There are
over 1,250 miles of paved, gravel, dirt and grass roads in the Shawnee
National Forest, some closed to motorized use and other roads closed
only seasonally. Remember to tread lightly and respect other trail
users.
Stoneface Trail
Hwy 145 near Rudement (618-253-1060)
Just 5 miles north of Garden of Gods, this scenic trail is moderate,
but up and down rocky bluffs.
The famous Stone Face is on this trail.
Tower Rock
Hwy 146 Elizabethtown (618-287-2201)
Scenic hike to the highest bluff, 160 feet, on the Ohio River,
located midway between the historic river towns of Elizabethtown and
Cave-in-Rock.
Tunnel Hill Trail (bicycling & hiking, no motors, hunting or
horses) 45 miles long from Harrisburg to Karnak, 1% grade, 99% wooded,
formerly the Norfolk Southern Railroad. Six trail heads for parking; the
landmark Tunnel is 543 ft. long, & 21 picturesque trestles are further
south. Surface is crushed limestone (618-658-2168)
Wayne Fitzgerald State Park
Exit# 77 off I-57, Whittington (618-629-2320)
Four mile hiking/biking trail, 9 mile bridle trail, all in the Rend Lake
area.
War Bluff Wildlife Sanctuary
Route 146, Golconda (618-683-6702)
This wildlife sanctuary, with ten walking tails, supports young and old
forest and more than 530 types of plants.
Note: Some maps and brochures are available at Southern Illinois Tourism
Office;
email:
info@adventurillinois.com or
call 888-998-9397
Resources:
“Enjoy Southern Illinois: A Complete Recreational Guide,”
Russell, Goldstein & Winkeler, 1994 Cache Press
“River to River Trail Guide,” John O’Dell, River to River Trail
Society, 618-252-6789
http://www.rivertorivertrail.org
“Southern
Illinois Shawnee National Forest Guide,” free brochure from Southern
Illinois Tourism Dev. Office & all Shawnee National Forest Offices,
888-998-9397
River to River Trail Society Spring and Fall Hikes posted on this
site as scheduled, 618-252-6789
“A Guide to Illinois Nature Centers & Interpretive Trails,” and “Illinois
Hiking and Backpacking Trails,”SIU Press, Walter & George
Zyznieuski
For more information about
hiking in Southern Illinois, visit these sites
IDNR
Forest Service
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