It's hard to say which appeared first in Southern Illinois; the beautiful parks or the abundant recreation opportunities. Needless to say, two of the best-known qualities of our region come together to provide an endless assortment of landscapes, trails, campsites, shorelines, and educational centers.

From the famous Giant City State Park in Makanda with it’s horse-friendly trails and excellent fried chicken dinners to the Metropolis Sports Park boasting the only public skateboard facility of it’s kind in the entire region, travelers will never be far from the next opportunity to head down a promising trailhead or slip the boat into fresh, abundant waters. The fall months offer especially colorful scenery in Southern Illinois, owing to our prolific deciduous forests and enormous array of wildflowers. Because of our location between two large rivers, the topography takes a wild turn from the stereotypical endless fields of the northern half of the state.

Hikers can crest a pine-tufted hilltop and catch a breathtaking valley accented by hints of boiling whitewater between fiery treetops. Not the typical farmland scenery, one must admit.  High bluffs are common and many parks offer excellent rappelling and rock-climbing areas, with Garden of the Gods taking top honors for rock crawlers of all abilities.

Mountain biking is a favorite local sport, especially on the River to River Trail and now on the new Rails-to-Trails system from Karnak to Harrisburg. Whatever your pleasure, the nearest opportunity is right around the corner.

• Parks & Recreation
• Fishing & Hunting
• Golfing
• Horseback Riding
• Other Outdoor Recreation
• The Tunnel Hill Bike Trail
• Shawnee National Forest