Illinois

Like the rest of the park, the Giant City Lodge was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930's. The lodge's architecture will remind someone of great lodges of the West with its hardwood timber and sandstone blend that has a two story fireplace and rotunda to enjoy one of the be...

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 p...

Trail of Tears State Forest lies within one of the most rugged landscapes in Illinois. The hills are steep, and the soil is shallow and susceptible to erosion. Cliffs are all around and streams with gravel bottoms are in the narrow forest filled valleys. In 1838-39 the Cherokee, Creek, and Chicka...

Adjacent to the beautiful Bald Knob Cross monument is one of the most scenic drives in Southern Illinois. The road winds and turns through this rugged and remote wilderness.  Highlights along the way for hikers are the Bald Knob trail loop and the linear Godwin Trail which connects into Clear Spr...

Hike, swim, paddle, fish, bike, or picnic is a amazing medium size lake in the heart of the Shawnee. Surrounded by trees, bluffs, creeks, and trails in all directions paired with its central location many attractions in Southern Illinois, Lake Glendale is a great spot to spend a day or a week. Fr...

One of Illinois' best kept secrets, the Kincaid Lake Spillway is a awesome swimming hole just outside of Murphysboro. The three level cascade makes for a great place to spend a hot summer day. People sit, splash, or even slide down the tiers into the pools below.  There is a small side trail that...

Hundreds of people will drive past this trail and arch on the weekends and never know they just drove past one of the best sights within the Garden of Gods Wilderness of the Shawnee National Forest. It is a few hundred feet off the road on the way to the more popular Garden of the Gods Observatio...

For a great introduction to the Cache River Basin of Southern Illinois make your way to the Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center. Here you will find a spur trail to the Tunnel Hill Bicycle Trail, information and exhibits, and ranger information about area trails and paddle put in's. Just outsid...

Beautiful rolling hills and woods surround Lake Murphysboro and provide opportunities for boating, fishing, picnicking, camping and hiking. Paddling is a perfect past time here. Canoe, Kayak, and Paddle Boards are all allowed much of the year. If fishing is on the agenda, a 10 hp maximum outboard...

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...

THIS CAMPGROUND IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED. Learn more at IGRC.Org. Located within Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge and along one of the most scenic lakes within the Shawnee Hills of Southern Illinois Little Grassy Lake Campground is a awesome place to camp for a night or a whole week. There ar...

North Avenue Beach, located in Chicago’s Lincoln Park, is one of the city’s most popular lakefront spots. Its iconic beach house, designed to resemble an ocean liner, offers 22,000 square feet of space, including upper decks and portholes for stunning views of Lake Michigan and the bustling lakef...

Grant Park is located on the east side of Chicago. It is a great place to spend the day and explore. From the famous "Bean", which is actually named "the cloud", to Buckingham Fountain there is plenty to see in this park. It is also a great place to see the Chicago skyline, as well as have a picn...