Those who love hiking, biking, swimming and all things outdoors are in for a treat in Southwest Illinois, where swaying wheat fields, vast tracts of forest and a miniature Grand Canyon await. Camp in gorgeous protected areas or appreciate the warm welcome that awaits you in the region’s many towns and urban pockets.
Belleville is the area’s most populous city, but it is relatively small, with about 42,000 residents. Start your journey around Southwest Illinois with urban conveniences and rural attractions such as Eckert’s Belleville Farm and the Braeutigam Orchards.
Head south to discover some of Illinois’ most beautiful countryside. Camp in Giant City State Park, a 4,000-acre (1,600-hectare) green space. Hike the many miles of trails that weave through the forests and along the limestone crags of this nature-rich protected area. Look for the park’s simple but lovely 1930s stone lodge, known for its delicious home-cooked food and welcoming staff.
See Illinois’ treetops from above by climbing LaRue Pine Hills. The lookout here, poetically named Inspiration Point, offers incredible vistas that include the Mississippi River. Try to spot signs of the diverse wildlife that flourishes in the surrounding wetlands. Afterward, make your way south to the Trail of Tears State Forest, another nature preserve filled with fascinating plants and animals.
To the east of the Big Muddy River lies the Little Grand Canyon. Bring your camera when you hike to this scenic place, as this red sandstone valley offers a glimpse of the same natural splendor that has made the Grand Canyon so internationally famous.
Rent a car to get to Southwest Illinois from Chicago. The region is ideally placed for a road trip, as the interstate highway brings you most of the way here. As you drive, striking views will open up on all sides, as the sparsely populated, flat prairieland of this area stretches all the way to the horizon.
