Explore the Southern Illinois Area
of the Meeting the Ohio River Region
greatriverroad.com coverage of Southern Illinois consists of three counties: Jackson, Union, and Alexander. Communities covered in this region include Carbondale, Murphysboro, and Cairo. The area offers visitor opportunities to explore the historical, cultural and natural aspects of the region.
Lake Murphysboro
Murphysboro, Illinois
Jackson County, Illinois
The Shawnee National Forest also dominates Jackson County and the geological landscape provides a wealth of gems for visitors to choose from. Giant City State Park with its unique Makanda sandstone features is one of Illinois’ most popular parks and offers hiking, picnicking, hunting and fishing, rock climbing and rappelling, horseback riding, camping, and lodging. Hikers and wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy the Ponoma Natural Bridge and Little Grand Canyon areas. Jackson County’s three main lakes attract anglers because of their excellent fishing opportunities. History can be found at the General John A. Logan Museum in Murphysboro and the Mississippi River Museum in Grand Tower. A good view of Tower Rock, a small landmark limestone noted by early explorers such as Marquette and Joliet and the Corps of Discovery, also can be found at Grand Tower.
Lincoln Memorial Park
Jonesboro, Missouri
Union County, Illinois
The Shawnee National Forest dominates Union County and provides visitors with a number of places to get in touch with nature including LaRue-Pine Hills Research Natural Area, Trail of Tears State Forest, and the Union County State Fish & Wildlife Area. The Bald Knob Cross of Peace sits atop Bald Knob Mountain, the highest point in Southern Illinois that offers wonderful scenic views, particularly in the fall. History can be explored at Lincoln Memorial Park in Jonesboro, the site on e of the 1859 Lincoln Douglas debates or at the Union County Museum in Cobden.
Cairo Custom House
Cairo, Illinois
Alexander County, Illinois
Alexander County is the southernmost county in Illinois and is the site of the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. The rivers played a major role in the history of Alexander County and these aspects can be explored at the Cairo Custom House Museum and Magnolia Manor. Horseshoe Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area contains a 2,400 acre shallow oxbow lake which reminds visitors of the Deep South with its abundance of bald cypress, tupelo gum, swamp cottonwood trees, and wild lotus.
