Rudy Mines Trail

This well kept trail is one of seven trails at John James Audubon State Park. A great short hike for the family starts at roughly 600 ft with minimal elevation change. The trail is surrounded by hardwoods and moss for the first half mile then the forest opens up to a small lake/wetlands area. The loop follows the perimeter of the lake. There is a back country trailhead at the halfway point whic...

Abraham Lincoln lived on this farm from the age of 7 - 21. Begin your visit at the Visitor Center. This building is a memorial to Abraham Lincoln and his family and was designed with two halls and a connecting covered walkway. On the outside of the building there are five sculptured panels marking significant periods in the life of Abraham Lincoln.  The Allee Trail runs from the Visitor Center ...

This is one of my favorite options for a quick weekend backpacking trip near Louisville. The trail forms a figure eight around 2 lakes - Indian Lake and and Lake Celina. Hiking the full outer loop around both lakes is about 16 miles, but if that's too much distance or you are short on time, you can also hike a roughly 8 mile loop around either lake. After you pass the gate house at the entrance...

Historic New Harmony, Indiana honors two unique communities from the early 1800's. The Rappites located here in 1814. They were fleeing from religious persecution and awaiting the impending millennium. In 1824, the Owenites brought many great scientists and philosophers into the area when they purchased the Rappites holdings. Today, the historic district located on the banks of the Wabash River...

Located 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 history of the area led Hollywood to shoot scenes for "How The West Was Won" in 1962. Today, the sh...

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 paddle or catching the many bass or catfish. Only electric motors are allowed for fishing boats and mo...