Stonefort, Illinois
Top Spots in and near Stonefort
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Elizabethtown, Illinois
Visit Iron Furnace Historic Site
Originally built in 1837, this thirty two foot tall structure was constructed on a limestone foundation and erected with limestone blocks quarried locally from the town of Cave-In-Rock. This iron furnace is the last remaining of its kind in Illinois. It is thought that some of the iron produced h...Read more -
Junction, Illinois
Hike Rim Rock National Recreation Trail
1.7 mi / 360 ft gainRim Rock Trail follows the edge of the bluff top, hence its name, and features vistas of a slot canyon below, a stone fort used by prehistoric Native Americans, a cave used on the Underground Railroad, and diverse wildlife habitats. Located near very popular Garden of the Gods, Rim Rock is someti...Read more -
Junction, Illinois
Paddle or Swim at Pounds Hollow Recreation Area
This 25 acre lake within the Shawnee National Forest was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. There are several large picnic areas and shelters available along with a sand beach and swimming area. The hollow is surrounded by sandstone bluffs and sharp cliffs and provides an excellent day pa...Read more -
Smithland, Kentucky
Joy Falls (Mandy Falls)
Joy Falls (aka "Mandy Falls") is a great cascade and shelf that falls of about 10 feet await along the roadway a few miles from Mantle Rock Nature Preserve. Glades and barrens also provide for rare wildlife and countless wildflowers in the spring and summer. Spend an hour or five minutes enjoyin...Read more -
Smithland, Kentucky
Hike the Mantle Rock Nature Preserve Loop
2.3 mi / 230 ft gainJust as its name implies, the centerpiece of The Nature Conservancy's Mantle Rock Nature Preserve is a 30-foot natural sandstone bridge spanning 188 feet and embellished by bluffs, shelters, honeycomb formations, fluorite deposits, and a rock-lined stream. The nature preserve also contains extrao...Read more -
Vienna, Illinois
Bike the Tunnel Hill State Trail
9.3 mi / 326 ft gainThe 9.3 (one way) section of the 44.5 mile that begins at the Tunnel Hill access point and travels south to Vienna, Illinois is one of the most picturesque stretches of Southern Illinois. The former Norfolk Southern Railroad line connects to many other popular trails like the River to River Trai...Read more -
Goreville, Illinois
Camp at Ferne Clyffe State Park
Ferne Clyffe has a campground for everyone. From the more modern, or primitive, larger groups, backpackers and even equestrian campers. From beginner to hardened veteran eagle scout, there is a campsite for everyone. The shower facilities that are offered at some campgrounds are available seasona...Read more -
Goreville, Illinois
Hike Big Rocky Hollow Trail
0.5 mi / 63 ft gainA great short hike in Ferne Clyffe State Park with a big payoff that is nearly wheel chair accessible with compact crushed gravel as a path. The trail leads to a 100-foot tall intermittent waterfall. The trail is lined with huge boulders, meandering stream, and progressively narrowing canyon beco...Read more -
Goreville, Illinois
Hike or Rock Climb the Rebman Trail
0.5 mi / 27 ft gainThe Big Rocky Hollow Trail isn't the only trail that starts at the parking area. Cross the stepping stones over the creek to find a place where the trail forks in three. Look for the sign for the Rebman Trail at the right-most fork. This short walk leads to a small canyon punctuated by a pair of ...Read more -
Goreville, Illinois
Hike to Hawk's Cave
0.75 mi / 56 ft gainOne of the top trails within Fern Clyffe State Park, Hawk's Cave is an impressive 150 foot sandstone shelter bluff. When beginning the trail from the parking lot, there is a fork of three separate trail heads. Take the path to the left and follow the loop up to a rock wall of shelters, honeycomb ...Read more -
Goreville, Illinois
Hike the Round Bluff Nature Preserve
5.01.25 mi / 185 ft gainJust south of the Lakeview Picnic Shelter is the 53-acre Round Bluff Nature Preserve. Round Bluff has been designated a nature preserve which means that you are only allowed to hike on maintained trails. This is an isolated area of the massive sandstones that form the canyons of Ferne Clyffe Stat...Read more -
Johnston City, Illinois
Arrowhead Lake Trail
5.02.12 mi / 105 ft gainArrowhead Lake Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Johnston City, Illinois.Read more -
Belknap, Illinois
Hike the Todd Fink-Heron Pond Trail
1.5 mi / 125 ft gainThis easy trail crosses a truss bridge over the Cache River and features a floating boardwalk in the middle of one of the most beautiful and accessible Cypress-Tupelo swamps in the Midwest. There are 10 interpretive panels located along the trail to guide your way. The floating boardwalk section ...Read more -
Goreville, Illinois
Hike to Bork's Falls
0.5 mi / 227 ft gainLocated off Regent Lane/Cedar Grove Road near Goreville, Illinois, Bork's Falls is a beautiful waterfall with little visitor traffic. The bottom of the falls is accessible from either side of the ravine with a very short hike. This waterfall generally flows year round, unlike most other waterfall...Read more -
Makanda, Illinois
Panther Den Loop
2.83 mi / 259 ft gainPanther Den Loop is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Makanda, Illinois.Read more -
Cave-In-Rock State Park, Illinois
Hike to Cave-in-Rock
0.75 mi / 110 ft gainLocated in a Southern Illinois State Park bearing its name, Cave-in-Rock is a 55 ft wide limestone cavern that sits along the banks of the Ohio River. Once a site of Murderers, River Pirates, and a brothel is now a crown jewel of the Illinois State Park system. The beauty of the area and the dark...Read more