Wickliffe, Kentucky

A Native American village once occupied the site of Wickliffe Mounds, about A.D. 1100 to 1350. Here, the Mississippian culture built earthen mounds and permanent houses around a central plaza overlooking the Mississippi River.  Visitors follow a self guided trail system to view the Ceremonial, Ch...

Columbus-Belmont State Park is a stop along the Great River Road National Scenic Byway that combines pivotal Civil War history with dramatic cliffs overlooking the Mississippi River. The park is also a stop along the Trail of Tears National Historical Trail and the Civil War Heritage Trail.  The ...

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...

The long decorated history of Fort Massac dates back to 1757 during the French and Indian War when this French fort was constructed overlooking the Ohio River in Southernmost Illinois. The French left the fort behind at the conclusion of that war, then was rebuilt and used once more during the Re...

The Clyde F. Boyles Greenway Trail is open to non-motorized traffic from dawn to dusk. Distance markers, shelters, and benches are located along the trail. The Greenway Trail links Perkins Creek Nature Preserve, Stuart Nelson Park, Noble Park, Schultz Park, and the Ohio River shoreline. The best ...

This 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 ...

The 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...

When you arrive at Dixon Springs State Park, drive through the park and stop and take in the main attraction of a waterfall that is partially man made. Then drive and park at the swimming pool, walk to the front of it where the building is, and turn to the right. Follow the trail, and be mindful ...

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...

Located 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...

Just 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...

One 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 ...

The 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 ...

A 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...

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this mile loop trail leads you along a bluff line to the ruins of a historic village of Woodland and Mississippian Native Americans.   Mississippian Natives established a village here between 1000 and 500 years ago. The older Woodland Indians bu...

In the heart of the Shawnee National Forest is an amazing camp that provides many adventures for those with all skill levels. When camp is out, anyone is allowed to visit Camp Ondessonk as a guest and explore. There are over 10 miles of trails through pristine forests,  sandstone canyons, and sev...