Tunnel Hill State Trail

This scenic 45-mile-long hiking and biking trail runs along a converted rail bed through farmland, hills/bluffs and bottomland areas.The trail passes through the Shawnee National Forest and Cache River State Natural Area, with railroad trestles and an old train tunnel as picturesque markers along the way.

CITY: Vienna

Mermet Springs

Scuba dive at this unique spring-fed stone quarry and marvel at underwater treasures such as a submerged airplane (actually used in the movie U.S. Marshals) and a cement petting zoo. Mermet Springs offers on-site instruction and equipment rental.

CITY: Belknap

Giant City State Park

Spectacular woodlands and sheer sandstone walls create a challenge for rock climbing and rappelling, as well as hiking. Outdoor lovers will also find horseback riding, a lookout tower, cabins and a swimming pool. Dine at historic Giant City Lodge, known for its homemade fried chicken dinner.

CITY: Makanda

Cache River State Natural Area

Nationally renowned for its ancient cypress-tupelo swamp, this natural area contains 100 threatened or endangered plant and animal species, and 11 state champion trees. Visitors enjoy birding, hunting, wildlife watching, and hiking. Bikers can access the Cache River via the Tunnel Hill State Trail.

CITY: Belknap

Egyptian Hills Resort

Egyptian Hills Resort is your passport to the Ultimate outdoor family vacation. Whether you are into waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing, sport fishing, or pleasure boating; the Lake of Egypt is a boater’s paradise. All within a stone’s throw of your cabin. Within minutes of your cabin, your family can enjoy guided expeditions such as; horseback riding, rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, geo-caching, wildlife photography and many other outdoor activities. Whether planning a single activity or multiple activities for your group, we at Egyptian Hills are your personal concierge in planning your ultimate outdoor family vacation. Whether onsite or through one of our partner guides, all activities are tailored for all ages and experience levels.

CITY: Creal Springs

Southern Illinois Wine Trail

Illinois' newest wine trail connects six wineries dotted throughout the southeast corner of the state. Visitors can enjoy both breathtaking vistas and friendly rural communities, all while sampling excellent red and white wines.

CITY: Vienna

Stone Creek Golf Club & Resort

Nestled in the Shawnee National Forest, Stone Creek features an 18 hole-championship course and beautiful cabins. Stone Creek also offers a restaurant, clubhouse, and a scenic area for hiking and fishing.

CITY: Makanda

Cache River Wetlands Center

The Wetlands Center provides a one-stop shop for information about the Cache River Wetlands and its recreational and educational opportunities. The center has an extensive natural and cultural history exhibit, wildlife viewing, trails and a video.

CITY: Cypress

Lincoln-Douglas Statues

Located at Lincoln Memorial Park, visitors can "Walk Where Lincoln Walked" by following the presidents footsteps from Jonesboro Square to the park.

CITY: Jonesboro

Ohio River Scenic Byway

The 188-mile scenic route begins at the Wabash Memorial Bridge in Gallatin County and ends at Fort Defiance Park in historic Cairo. Sights along the way include the Garden of the Gods, Cave-in-Rock, Elizabethtown, the quaint river town of Golconda, and Metropolis, the home of Superman.

CITY: Metropolis

Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge

Visit Illinois’ bayou. Yes, the bayou in Illinois. Cypress Creek Wildlife Refuge is home to incredible cypress-filled swamps and wetlands and is unlike anything you expect to find in the Midwest. The refuge protects 15,000 acres of lush wetlands and some of the oldest living trees east of the Mississippi River.

CITY: Ullin

Gambit Golf Course

This championship par 71 golf course, designed by Richard Osborne, snakes through meadows and woodlands. The Gambit features the area's only indoor practice center, with two state-of-the-art golf simulators and a nine-hole practice green.

CITY: Vienna

Fragrant Fields

This 20-year-old herb and perennial plant nursery offers more than 200 varieties of common and uncommon plants. Sip a glass of lemonade as you view the gardens, feed the catfish in the pond and shop for garden items.

CITY: Dongola

Honey Bee Stables

Ride the beautiful countryside. See the back roads and enjoy the Shawnee National forest with scenic bluffs, hardwood trees, seasonal flowers, wildlife, streams, waterfalls and rock formations. Specializing in all day and 1/2 day guided trail rides with picnic lunch included. Romantic rides for couples. Equestrian Vacations. All rides are private and guided. You will find that our experienced trail guide will go out of their way to ensure that you have a pleasant and memorable experience. There is no better way to see nature then from the back of a horse. The Shawnee National Forest offers miles of equestrian trails with different terrains and spectacular scenery. Ride through creeks and streams. See magnificent rock formations, waterfalls, and bluffs where the view is awe-inspiring. Explore the Shawnee Hills. Your guide will point out interesting places and facts along the ride.

CITY: Cobden

Egyptian Hills Marina Lodging

Egyptian Hills Resort is your passport to the Ultimate outdoor family vacation. Whether you are into waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing, sport fishing, or pleasure boating; the Lake of Egypt is a boater’s paradise. All within a stone’s throw of your cabin. Our cabins and chalets sit next to soothing, running streams and waterfalls – with breathtaking lake front views. Each cabin/chalet features a full kitchen, living room, large deck, full bedroom, 2 loft bedrooms and full bath.

CITY: Creal Springs

Giant City Park Campground

Class A campground with separate tent and trailer camping for equestrians. Also, a youth group camp and primitive walk-in tent sites.

CITY: Makanda

Pyramid Acres Campground & Marina

Offers fee launching, gas, bait, tackle, ice, beer, groceries, contour maps and camping with water and electricity. Open all year. Located at the northeastern edge of the lake.

CITY: Marion

The Pavilion of the City of Marion

Nestled on a 12-acre lake, this massive multi-purpose facility hosts special and sporting events.

CITY: Marion

Touch of Nature Enviornmental Center

Just 8 miles south of Carbondale, Touch of Nature borders the Shawnee Forest. It is a 3,100 acre wooded retreat area perfect for group events. Located in the City of Makanda, IL.

CITY: Makanda

Little Grassy Campground & Marina

1200-acre lake with 36+ miles of shoreline with an average depth of 27 ft. Provides gas, boat rentals, bait, tackle, license, boat slips and a snack restaurant.

CITY: Makanda

Giant City Stables

Enjoy the beauty of Giant City State Park on horseback. All trail rides are guided by experienced wranglers. Lessons & pony rides also available.

CITY: Makanda

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center

Wilderness area, wildlife viewing, walking trails, special events, gift shop, campgrounds, fishing, boating, sailing, fishing tournaments; must get a "user pass" at Visitors Center for these lakes.

CITY: Marion

Kokopelli Golf Club

This 18-hole course, designed by renowned golf architect Steve Smyers, was named by Travel + Leisure as one of "America's 100 Best Courses for $100 or Less." Kokopelli offers a full-service pro shop, professionals who offer personal golf instruction and an eight-acre practice facility.

CITY: Marion

Eagle Watching - Union County Refuge

The Union County Refuge in Union offers a popular spot for bald eagle watching. Visitors can view bald eagles and take wildlife photography off the main road, which runs down the middle of the wildlife refuge. Park rangers will be available weekdays to answer questions about the eagles and other wildlife spotted in the refuge. Admission is free. For more information on eagle watching, contact the Union County Refuge (618-833-5175).

CITY: Jonesboro

Cedar Ridge Whitetails, LLC

Trophy whitetail hunts in scenic Southernmost IL. Hunts are offered September 15th through December. The farm consists of mature timber, pine and cedar thickets, thick draws and open area food plots. All hunts are with an experienced guide.

CITY: Karnak

Midland Hills Golf Course

Among the abundant hills and lakes of Southern Illinois, you will find one of the most scenic, oldest and one of the most challenging course in the area. Come out and enjoy the fun.

CITY: Makanda

Lake Glendale Beach & Campground

Beautiful beach located on the shore of an 80 acres lake in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest. Beach open Memorial Day-Labor Day, 7 days a week. Concessions available

CITY: Glendale

Stone Creek Golf Club

Chip along dense forests on one of the most scenic courses in Southern Illinois. Nicely appointed cabins located right on the 18-hole golf course provide a convenient stay-and-play option.

CITY: Makanda

Ohio River Recreational Area

RV campground with bathhouse, boat ramp and country store. Restaurant and lodge also on site.

CITY: Grand Chain

Little Lusk Trail Lodge & Campground

Centrally located in the Shawnee National forest, campgrounds have all the hookups; lodge has 6 rooms; beach, fishing, horseback riding at its best; box stalls for horses; hunters welcome; great hiking & mountain biking.

CITY: Stonefort

Egyptian Hills Campground & Marina

Eastern side of Lake of Egypt. Facility offers full service, boat rentals, restaurants, bait, tackle, guide service, launching and RV rentals.

CITY: Creal Springs

Dixon Springs State Park

Dixon Springs State Park is one of several state parks in the Illinois Shawnee Hills. Park visitors may enjoy the varied wildlife, take a swim in the outdoor pool or simply soak up the relaxing atmosphere of the moss-covered boulders, craggy overhangs, and rushing brook.

CITY: Golconda

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge

A wildlife refuge covering approximately 43,500 acres of forest, wetlands, and grasslands. Hunting, fishing & boating available.

CITY: Marion

kokopelli Golf Club

18 holes, par 72, winter golf, full pro shop, no club rentals, restaurant

CITY: Marion

Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour

Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour consists of eight zip lines, the longest stretching more than 1,100 feet, which will zig-zag across the property’s bluffs and through the valley. The tour also includes 11 platforms high in the trees, three aerial suspension bridges, the longest stretching 180 feet, and two short ground hikes. A canopy tour is an exciting way to experience the flora, fauna, geology and history of the outdoors by safely traversing an established route of ziplines and aerial bridges between platforms built in the trees, and they are just plain fun!

CITY: Makanda

Lake of Egypt Marina

Open all year boatmotor sales and service. Full service facility with launching available. Located on the east side of the lake.

CITY: Marion

Ferne Clyffe State Park

Features fascinating plants and geologic formations of the scenic Shawnee Hills. Trails wind past interesting sites such as intermittent waterfalls and the largest shelter bluff in southern Illinois.

CITY: Goreville

Doctorman's Cache Core Hunting Preserve

Upland game bird hunting from Oct. 1 - April. Dogs & guide service available. Located 3 miles west of Jct. Hwy. 37 & Hwy. 169, or, 4 miles east of I-57 just off Shawnee College Road.

CITY: Ullin

Mack's Lake of Egypt

They offer new and used boats, seasonal slip rental, boat lauch, boat dock and lift sales, rental pontoon boats, rental fishing boats, full line of boating accessories, full convenience store, package beer, liquor and wine.

CITY: Marion

Midland Hills Golf Course

Among the abundant hills and lakes of Southern Illinois you'll find one of the most scenic and challenging courses in the area.

CITY: Makanda

Crab Orchard Lake

Campground, fishing, boating, beach, picnic areas, country store, fishing tournaments.

CITY: Marion

Pikes Hunting Club

Located 1 mile south of Marion on Rt. 37 on west side of road. Hunt from heated pits over flooded corn, natural wetlands food plots, and over 2 miles of levee controlled water on 100 acres. 530 total acres devoted to waterfowl hunting, excellent duck hunting. Corporate rates and custom packages available.

CITY: Marion

Lake Glendale Stables

Trail ride in beautiful Southern Illinois. Hourly to full-day rates. Over night pack trips and lunch or dinner outings. Group rates and boarding available. Great horses for all riders, experienced or not. Professional guides, cool wooded trails.

CITY: Golconda

Extreme Kids

Kids will enjoy three huge bouncers, two in-ground trampolines, and an awesome jungle gym with a ball pit and a 16-foot slide.

CITY: Marion

Jake & Norb's Gun Club

Bordering the refuge on N.E. corner. Traditional hunting of the highest quality. Only 2 hunters per pit with experienced mandatory guides, two pits, 1-water access, 1000 decoys, free snacks. Over forty-two years as an experienced club.

CITY: Marion

Ralls Grove Hunting Club

Duck and goose hunting, 1 blind, waterfront, decoys available. Lunch provided.

CITY: Creal Springs

Pirate Pete's Family Entertainment Center

Great food, snack bar, acrcade games, pool tables, laser tag, and redemption prizes.

CITY: Marion

Odum Stables

Offers private lessons on gaited horses, indoor and outdoor facilities, lessons for all ages and skill levels and lesson packages available. Beginners, refreshers, pleasure or show. Home of several world champion walking horses. Call for reservations.

CITY: Creal Springs

Little Egypt Public OHV Recreational Area

Little Egypt Off Road MC is a young club that aims to pursue, promote, and protect interest of motorcyclists in a social and athletic setting. They offer a public off road riding area.

CITY: Marion

A.E.C. Outfitters

Is a place to deer hunt. There is archery Deer Hunting on 2000 acres of land.

CITY: Marion

Golconda Marina

One of the finest fishing and boating areas in the nation, this marina is the gateway to the Ohio River's Smithland Pool, constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The 619-acre full-service boat marina has more than 200 slips.

CITY: Golconda

Country Kitchen Hunting Club

Waterfowl hunting, goose and ducks. Guides available.

CITY: Marion

Lake of Egypt Country Club

Include a golf course, swimming pool, and clubhouse. The dining room overlooks the pool and number nine green.

CITY: Marion

Glenn's Hunting Club

Clean, dry and heated pits. Yearly membership and day hunting available. Excellent hunting in fields. Plus hunting in 2 pits over water. 3/4 mile on refuge frontage. Guides available.

CITY: Marion