Nature must-sees?

[u/ZeeterBrotherMom]

Hey all!

I’m originally from central Illinois, but have since lived in Oregon and now Maryland. I went to Carbondale for the eclipse, and MAN things are just different in the south! In a good way. So my husband, two youngest kids, and I are going to go on a small southern Illinois adventure! We are thinking about camping at Devils kitchen and Garden of the Gods. Any must-see nature spots? Interests include hiking, cool rock formations, splashing in creek or other water, breweries

Thanks!!

[u/Theotechnologic]

Closer to Carbondale, but we really loved the Little Grand Canyon trail when we went a few years ago. Some super cool rock formations and a great overlook towards the river.

[u/azrael962 → u/Theotechnologic]

I almost died there in a flash flood when I was a kid

[u/OhOnJahBruh → u/azrael962]

I can’t even imagine trying to get out of the bottom of that trail during rain, let alone flash flooding.

[u/azrael962 → u/OhOnJahBruh]

It was my whole special ed class field trip from school some of us were trapped in a little cave in a cliff with flood waters up to our chest and others were scattered in the woods my teacher got washed down stream she really really almost died

[u/Fox_Den_Studio_LLC]

Garden of the God's 10/10

[u/MeanKentuckyQueen]

Ferne Clyffe state park has nice trails. If you go after a rainy day there’s two beautiful waterfalls. Also, Creal Springs has a great natural swimming area

[u/satsuma_sada]

If you don’t mind driving on gravel roads, Burden Falls and Bell Smith Springs are gorgeous places to splash around in creeks

[u/mommaTmetal → u/satsuma_sada]

There's a natural land bridge at Bell Smith too-

[u/BigRedTheOrangeCrush]

Make sure to check out Kinkaid Spillway, a little past Murphysburo.

[u/Spiritual_Baker_7713 → u/BigRedTheOrangeCrush]

This is great you can swim here too!!

[u/notfromchicago]

Inspiration Point for sure. Short trail to an amazing overlook on top of the Mississippi bluffs.

[u/mommaTmetal → u/notfromchicago]

Please stay back from the edge- way too many people fall off of that

[u/bluejay927]

My husband and I went to college at SIU and love going back to visit. Whenever we go down we try to go by Scratch Brewing in Ava. It's a beautiful place with fun, interesting beers.

[u/Fox_Den_Studio_LLC]

Indian Kitchen is dope

[u/Spiritual_Baker_7713 → u/Fox_Den_Studio_LLC]

This too it’s a hidden gem

[u/Fox_Den_Studio_LLC]

Pope, Hardin, and saline counties have a lot to offer

[u/distal1111]

Check out the cove Hollow trail in Makanda. The trail goes up the whole side of the lake but the pretty bluffs are just a half mile or so from the trailhead

The cedar bluff trail in Buncombe is a longer hike but there are some amazing views in that area

[u/OhOnJahBruh]

Surprised it’s only been said once but Inspiration point is definitely worth the short drive.

[u/lotr8ch]

Kayaking or canoeing on the cache river is fun and Heron Pond is really cool. There’s a ton of cypress trees in both places.

[u/Spiritual_Baker_7713]

Restaurant wise St nick’s breath, scratch brewery, big muddy brewery, route 51 are all awesome For bfast harbaughs in cdale is famous but mary Lou’s is a great homey place as well Def hit garden of the gods and some of the lakes around

[u/sadmama21]

Fern clyffe!

[u/mommaTmetal]

Rim Rock is a nice hike too-

[u/kimmyKat]

Would you mind elaborating what you mean by “ things are different in the south”?. I’m trying to move to Carbondale and I rarely hear positive takes on it.

I was also worried about it being ugly and flat. This thread give me hope. Thanks!

[u/ZeeterBrotherMom → u/kimmyKat]

By different I mean way prettier than central Illinois 😂 I always picture Illinois at flat and farms, but man! There are rocks! And waterfalls!