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Visitors Guide to
Southern Illinois
in the Mississippi River Meets the Ohio River Region
of
the Middle Mississippi River Valley |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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