Southern Illinois is best known for its scenic nature and beautiful hiking. As a local, I’ve had my whole life to explore what this area has to offer. In this guide, I’ll share my favorite hiking destinations—only places I’ve personally been to, so you know they’re worth checking out.
Bell Smith Springs
Starting off strong, Bell Smith Springs is my favorite spot for summer adventures. After a short 10 to 15 minute hike through the Shawnee National Forest, you’ll reach a swimming hole surrounded by cliffs. There are three main spots people like to jump from (or four, if you’re feeling extra brave). The water stays cool year-round; I visited in July, and it was still chilly.
Another perk to this place is that it is secluded. This means that you won’t be able to use your phone, which is great for unplugging and truly connecting with nature. At a little over an hour drive from Carbondale, this would make for a great day trip on a hot summer day.
Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is the iconic Southern Illinois hiking destination. When people think of hiking here, this is what comes to mind and for good reason. This place is beautiful, with rock formations, cliffs, and trees that you can see for miles. You won’t be able to fully grasp Southern Illinois’ beauty without seeing Garden of the Gods. The 1 hour and 20-minute drive from campus is totally worth it to see this landmark.
Little Grand Canyon
Want to see beautiful rock formations, but stay close to Carbondale? Go to Little Grand Canyon! You’ll get to walk through a canyon. The entire trail is 3 miles long with a 365 foot climb and takes about 3 hours to complete. The rock formations are incredibly unique and make this spot worth checking out.
This trail can get slippery, so be aware of that. I recommend waiting until the weather is drier to try this one. This is a more advanced hike, so if you’re new to hiking, you might want to wait until you’ve gained some experience. The best part is the Little Grand Canyon is only a 25-minute drive from Carbondale.
Giant City State Park
If you’re looking for an easier hike (or even zip-lining), check out Giant City. The State Park has several hiking trails of varying difficulty. It’s great if you’re just starting out, you can work your way up to the harder trails. I’d recommend starting out with the Nature Trail. Even though it is a shorter hike, you’ll still get to see big trees, rock formations, and beautiful bluffs. This place is best for a morning or evening hike, since it’s only a 15-minute drive from Carbondale.
There are plenty of places to go hiking and explore nature in Southern Illinois. These are just a few of my personal favorites, but there are other popular places you can check out. People often recommend Ferne Clyffe, Cave-In-Rock, and Heron Pond. Exploring the nature that Southern Illinois has to offer is a great way to spend your free time this summer.
