Shawnee National Forest is a great place to Hike, Bike, and go Birding.
Additionally, you will find great Wineries, a Brewery or three, zip lining, Boating of all types, and much more.
Cache River Wetlands, Belknap
Contact number: 618-634-9678 — Totaling 14,960 acres and home to the Northernmost Cypress Swamp in Johnson, Massac, and Pulaski counties, Cache River State Natural Area is composed of three distinct management units – Little Black Slough, Lower Cache River Swamps, and Glass Hill. They provide food, cover, and water for an incredible diversity of plant and animal species, more than 100 of which have been listed as endangered or threatened by the State of Illinois. The site offers a wide array of recreation opportunities, including hiking, biking, canoeing, fishing and seasonal hunting programs.
Visit the Henry N. Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center to learn more about the region’s natural wonders.
Visit the Henry N. Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center to learn more about the region’s natural wonders.
Crab Orchard Refuge, Marion
Contact number: 618-997-3344 — The National Wildlife Refuge visitor center is located at 8588 Route 148 in Marion. It is open daily from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The visitor center offers exhibits of local wildlife and habitats, as well as maps, regulatory brochures and entrance passes. Call for more information at 618-997-3344 ext. 1. Crab Orchard is home to many natural area and lakes. Explore Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge.
Ferne Clyff State Park, Goreville
Contact number: 618-995-2411 — Trails wind through picturesque woods, allowing visitors to view fascinating rock formations and inspiring vistas.
Garden of the Gods, Vienna
The Shawnee National Forest, Garden of the Gods, Vienna
Contact number: 618-658-2111 | website — This is the icon of the Shawnee National Forest. When one thinks of nature in Southern Illinois, their mind may wonder to the Garden. Visions of scenic vistas with gnarled rocks in the foreground and the vast Garden of the Gods Wilderness appear in the background.
Contact number: 618-658-2111 | website — This is the icon of the Shawnee National Forest. When one thinks of nature in Southern Illinois, their mind may wonder to the Garden. Visions of scenic vistas with gnarled rocks in the foreground and the vast Garden of the Gods Wilderness appear in the background.
Giant City State Park, Makanda
Contact number: 618-457-4836 — Nestled in the Shawnee National Forest, Giant City State Park was named for the unique impressions made by its massive sandstone structures and a landscape like none other, clothed in lush garments of fern, moss, large flowering mints, hundreds of species of wildflowers and more than 75 varieties of towering trees.
La Rue Pine Hills, Union County, IL
Hiking Trail — there are two hiking trails at LaRue-Pine Hills. The Inspiration Point trail is a 1/4 mile trail that leads to a rock pinnacle called Inspiration Point. White Pine Trail is a T-bone trail with stretches of 2 miles and 2 1/2 miles. This moderate to difficult trail meanders through old wildlife openings. After the leaves have fallen, Bald Knob Cross can be seen.
Lincoln Memorial Picnic Grounds, Jonesboro, IL
Great place for a short hike around the pond, read the history of the community and the famous presidential debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas and have a picnic.
Little Grand Canyon, Murphysboro
Contact number: 687-1731 — two-mile hike with great views and the wonders of nature.
Pomona Natural Bridge, Murphysboro
Contact number: 687-1731 — A real natural bridge you can walk over or under.
Trail of Tears State Forest, Jonesboro
Contact number: 833-4910 | website — Trail of Tears State Forest covers more than 5000 acres in Southern Illinois and features multiple sites for camping, hiking, picnicking and more.
Tunnel Hill State Park, Vienna
Contact number: 658-2168 — Great Place to Bike! At one time, the rumble of freight cars reverberated through the narrow tunnel. Wooden trestles, with their system of slanted supports and horizontal cross pieces, spanned numerous bluffs and creeks. Passengers in Pullman cars clocked the miles with these and other landmarks as they traveled one of Southern Illinois’s most scenic routes. Today, the railroad is gone but the bed, known as Tunnel Hill State Trail, remains, stretching 45 miles from Harrisburg to Karnak. The trail continues on a trails spur for 2.5 miles from Karnak to Cache River State Natural Area – Henry Barkhausen Wetlands Center on the old Chicago and Eastern Illinois railroad bed.
Brewery Your Thing
Big Muddy Brewery in Murphysboro, features a nice selection of local beer. Also look for the Big Muddy Monster Brew Fest in October.
Scratch Brewery in Ava, known for it small batch beers made with locally foraged ingredients. The off the beaten path setting and country feel is a favorite with our guests.
Abbey Ridge Brewery is still under construction however they have opened Downtown Abbey in Cobden. For great pizza and more check this new location.
Von Jakob Brewery also a winery and restaurant on 127 north of Alto Pass.
Route 51 Brewery in Elkville check this one out.
Saint Nicholas Brewery in Du Quion Micro Brewery and Restaurant.
Union County — Orchards & Berry Picking
Shawnee National Forest, Orchards, and Golf
Blueberry Hill Farm, Cobden
Blueberry Hill Farm, Cobden
The farm is open May through July, 8:00 am – 8:00 pm, 7 days a week. Visitors may choose to pick their berries or select a pre-picked pack.
The farm is open May through July, 8:00 am – 8:00 pm, 7 days a week. Visitors may choose to pick their berries or select a pre-picked pack.
- Strawberries, Blackberries, & Blueberries: May 10 – June 10
- Blackberries & Blueberries: June 20 – July 31
- Red & Black Raspberries: June 7 – July 14
Contact number:
893-2397
Address:
675 Wrights Crossing Road
Cobden, IL
Flamm’s Orchard & Fruit & Cream Stand, Cobden
Take a drive out to the orchards and buy in-season strawberries, peaches, and apples. Flamm’s Fruits & Cream Stand offers treats like homemade strawberry shortcake, cobblers, apple dumplings, and pies.
Contact number: 618-893-4241
Address:
8760 Old Highway 51 N, Cobden
Contact number: 618-893-4241
Address:
8760 Old Highway 51 N, Cobden
Rendleman’s Orchards Farm Market
Rendleman’s Orchards Farm Market, Alto Pass
During harvest season, which runs from June to December, Rendleman Orchards also offers retail packages of our best quality farm-fresh, tree-ripened peaches, nectarines and apples along with a wide selection of other fruits and vegetables, as well as jams, jellies, pickled items, baking and soup mixes, ciders, salsas, snack mixes, candles, linens, apple cider donuts, apple gift boxes, in season, and specialty food gift baskets!
Contact number: 618-893- 2771
Website: rendlemanorchards.com
Address:
9680 State Highway 127 N
Alto Pass, IL 62905
During harvest season, which runs from June to December, Rendleman Orchards also offers retail packages of our best quality farm-fresh, tree-ripened peaches, nectarines and apples along with a wide selection of other fruits and vegetables, as well as jams, jellies, pickled items, baking and soup mixes, ciders, salsas, snack mixes, candles, linens, apple cider donuts, apple gift boxes, in season, and specialty food gift baskets!
Contact number: 618-893- 2771
Website: rendlemanorchards.com
Address:
9680 State Highway 127 N
Alto Pass, IL 62905
Canoe, Kayak & Boat Rentals, Horseback Riding
Giant City Stables, Makanda
Contact number: 618-529-4110 | website — Located in the heart of Giant City State Park, just 10 miles south of Rt 13 (Carbondale, IL) on Giant City Road. Giant City Stables offers guided horseback trail rides, as well as a variety of summer horse camps and horseback riding lessons for groups and individuals. For our younger horse lovers, we offer pony rides.
Honeybee Stables, Cobden
Honeybee Stables, Cobden
Contact number: 618-949-3791 — Private guided trail rides in the forests of Southern Illinois. Half day, full day and weekend pack trip options available. Experienced trail horses and scenic trails.
Contact number: 618-949-3791 — Private guided trail rides in the forests of Southern Illinois. Half day, full day and weekend pack trip options available. Experienced trail horses and scenic trails.
White Crane Canoe Rentals & Guide Service
Contact number: 618-210-4090 | website — Join us as we paddle through the ancient waters of the Cache River, Illinois’s hidden bayou. We will set out in canoes or kayaks and spend our time learning about the rivers history, geology, and ecology.Canoe instruction, life jackets, and paddles included in the price.
Little Grassy Lake Boat, Canoe, Kayak Rentals, Carbondale
Contact number: 618-457-6655
Area Golf Courses
Shawnee National Forest, Orchards, and Golf
Keller’s Crossing at Stone Creek
This golf course is under new ownership and has been completely renovated. The clubhouse is open in season. A beautiful golf community with a Championship Course. Home and building lot opportunities are also available.
Contact number 618-351-4653 Keller’s Crossing at Stone Creek.
Hickory Ridge Golf Course, Carbondale
Contact number: 529-4386
Kokopelli Golf Course, Marion
Contact number: 997-5656
Union County Golf Course, Anna
Contact number: 833-7912
Other Attractions
Allen Christmas Farm, Buncombe
Contact number: 658-5678 | website
Bald Knob Cross, Alto Pass
Contact number: 893-2344 — Among the foothills of the Ozark Mountain range that stretch into Union County and southern Illinois, rises a beacon, a monument of peace, faith, charity, and of hope. Towering above the landscape at over 111 feet, and visible for over 7,500 square miles, this is the Bald Knob Cross of Peace. Bald Knob Cross is situated in the Shawnee National Forest near the small town of Alto Pass, Illinois. BK Mountain itself towers 1000 feet above sea level. But how did a mountaintop in rural southern Illinois become first the site of an annual sunrise service, and later the location of a 111-foot cross? The story begins in the spring of 1936…
Stinson Memorial Library, Anna
Contact number: 833-2521
Walton Farms, Anna
Contact number: 800-248-4374
