Awe-inspiring sandstone cliffs that form different shapes with views of the surrounding Shawnee Hills are what you will find at Garden of the Gods in southern Illinois. Driving In Heading into the Garden of the…
Posts tagged #SouthernIllinois
Giant City State Park Hikes
While exploring Giant City State Park, I marveled at the massive boulders, cascading waterfalls, and the majestic Devil’s Standtable. The park is a little over two hours south of St. Louis near Carbondale, Ill. Our…
The Double Descent of Burden Creek Falls
Bottom of the falls with a small pool
Dixon Springs State Park Hike
See a natural spring and a creek with rapids in a canyon at Dixon Springs State Park in Southern Illinois. The park is located about 20 miles north of Metropolis, Ill., and Paducah, Ky. History…
Finding Jackson Falls in Shawnee National Forest
See high waterfalls, deep canyons, and house-size boulders along Jackson Falls Trail in Shawnee National Forest. I went with a group so I could learn the area before bringing my son here in the future….
Millstone Bluff: Finding an Ancient Native-American Village
Explore the remains of an ancient Native-American village at Millstone Bluff Archaeological Site in the Shawnee National Forest. This forest-covered 320 feet hill sits just northwest of Illinois State Highway 145. The top of the…
Dad Hikes: Pomona Natural Bridge
A short loop hike through an oak and beech forest leads to the 90 foot Pomona Natural Bridge nestled in trees by a cliff. In the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps made improvements to the…
Dad Hikes: Piney Creek Ravine Nature Preserve
The largest area of Native American Rock art in Illinois is found at Piney Creek Ravine Nature Preserve. This 198-acre nature preserve also has cascading waterfalls and colorful limestone cliffs. Our Hike Starting the Hike…