Southern Illinois offers abundant natural beauty with expanses of forest, hiking trails and beautiful lakes. Home to Southern Illinois University and the Shawnee wine trail Southern Illinois is a perfect getaway destination.
Southern Illinois Area Attractions and Recreational Activities:
Shawnee National Forest
Shawnee National Forest’s natural beauty is ideal for all types of outdoor recreation. Located between the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers the Forest’s landscape features rolling hills, forests, open lands, lakes, creeks and rugged bluffs. The Southern Illinois area enjoys mild weather all year, which makes this Southern Illinois Cabin Rental a great destination in any season.
Shawnee Wine Trail
Southern Illinois is one of the most established wine making regions in the Midwest. The Shawnee Wine Trail Connects nine award-winning wineries along a 25-mile trail through the beautiful Shawnee National Forest. Stay at Ashton Ridge Cabins for an extended getaway in the heart of Illinois Wine Country.
Giant City State Park
A trip to Giant City State Park near Ashton Ridge Cabins is sure to delight visitors to Southern Illinois, with its amazing natural beauty and unlimited opportunities for outdoor recreation. From horseback riding to fishing and rappelling, Giant City State Park is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Southern Illinois Cabin Rentals at Ashton Ridge are a great location for visitors to marvel at the many wilderness trails. A sure treat awaits anyone hiking the Giant City Nature Trail, which is home of the “Giant City Streets” formed 12,000 years ago by huge bluffs of sandstone.
Nestled in the Shawnee National Forest, just minutes from Ashton Ridge Cabins, the area was named for the unique impressions made by its massive sandstone structures. Eons of geological faulting and folding have molded a landscape like none other, which is now clothed in lush garments of fern, moss, large flowering mints, hundreds of species of wild flowers and 75-plus varieties of towering trees.
Makanda
Makanda is a beautiful, scenic and quiet location known for its unique shops and businesses. Makanda’s boardwak is unlike anything else you’ll find in Southern illinois. Discover the Gateway to Giant City State Park with the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail and the scenic River to River Trail passing through the village.
Cedar Lake
Cedar Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Southern Illinois, perfect for a day fishing or relaxing on the beach. The beach at Cedar Lake is best known for its family atmosphere and beautiful scenery and fishermen enjoy regular success reeling in crappie and bass amid the beautiful coves surrounded by towering bluffs.
Little Grassy Lake
Little Grassy Lake is another beautiful lake that is perfect for kayaking and fishing. Well stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and crappie there is something for every angler. Motors restricted to 10 h.p. or less. A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service permit is required for use of the lake.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public research university located in Carbondale, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1869, SIUC is the flagship campus of the Southern Illinois University system. (The other members are Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.) The the university is known in official parlance as SIUC but colloquially as SIU. SIUC’s total undergraduate enrollment is around 20,000.
