Cairo’s Historic Park District
400 28th St, Cairo, Illinois 62914
Explore the historic core of Cairo, Illinois, a strategic river city shaped by the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, railroads, commerce, and the Civil War. Historic buildings and river views make this a thoughtful stop for travelers who enjoy old towns and layered American history.
Cave-in-Rock State Park
1 New State Park Rd, Cave-In-Rock, Illinois 62919
Cave-in-Rock State Park follows the Ohio River around the limestone cavern that made this southern Illinois community famous. It is a memorable stop for river views, a natural landmark, and colorful frontier history.
Fort Massac State Park
1308 E 5th St, Metropolis, Illinois 62960
On the Ohio River near Metropolis, Fort Massac State Park pairs a reconstructed frontier fort with wooded grounds, river views, and a relaxed setting for exploring southern Illinois history.
Historic Tunnel Cairo Entrance
1903 Sycamore St, Cairo, Illinois 62914
A small but evocative Cairo landmark, this tunnel entrance offers a glimpse into the city’s transportation history and strategic river-crossroads setting.
Lake Murphysboro State Park
Listed in State park
52 Cinder Hill Dr, Murphysboro, IL 62966, Murphysboro, Illinois 62966
Wooded hills surround the star-shaped lake at Lake Murphysboro State Park, a southern Illinois retreat for boating, fishing, picnicking, camping, and hiking.
Olmsted Locks and Dam
Listed in Army facility, Historical landmark, Locks and Dam, Ohio River Scenic Byway, Visited by Old Folks Adventures
567 New Dam Rd, Olmsted, IL 62970, Olmsted, Illinois 62970
The Olmsted Locks and Dam is one of America's most important inland waterway projects. Completed in 2018, it replaced outdated locks and now moves millions of tons of cargo each year while offering visitors an impressive look at modern river engineering.
Pyramid State Recreation Area
Listed in Park, State Recreation Area
1562 Pyramid Park Rd, Pinckneyville, IL 62274, Pinckneyville, Illinois 62274
Near Pinckneyville, Pyramid State Recreation Area is Illinois’s largest state recreation area, covering 19,701 acres of reclaimed southern Illinois landscape. Its lakes, woods, and open ground support fishing, boating, camping, hiking, picnicking, and seasonal hunting.
Cairo’s Historic Park District
400 28th St, Cairo, Illinois 62914
Explore the historic core of Cairo, Illinois, a strategic river city shaped by the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, railroads, commerce, and the Civil War. Historic buildings and river views make this a thoughtful stop for travelers who enjoy old towns and layered American history.
Cave-in-Rock State Park
1 New State Park Rd, Cave-In-Rock, Illinois 62919
Cave-in-Rock State Park follows the Ohio River around the limestone cavern that made this southern Illinois community famous. It is a memorable stop for river views, a natural landmark, and colorful frontier history.
Fort Massac State Park
1308 E 5th St, Metropolis, Illinois 62960
On the Ohio River near Metropolis, Fort Massac State Park pairs a reconstructed frontier fort with wooded grounds, river views, and a relaxed setting for exploring southern Illinois history.
Historic Tunnel Cairo Entrance
1903 Sycamore St, Cairo, Illinois 62914
A small but evocative Cairo landmark, this tunnel entrance offers a glimpse into the city’s transportation history and strategic river-crossroads setting.
Lake Murphysboro State Park
Listed in State park
52 Cinder Hill Dr, Murphysboro, IL 62966, Murphysboro, Illinois 62966
Wooded hills surround the star-shaped lake at Lake Murphysboro State Park, a southern Illinois retreat for boating, fishing, picnicking, camping, and hiking.
Olmsted Locks and Dam
Listed in Army facility, Historical landmark, Locks and Dam, Ohio River Scenic Byway, Visited by Old Folks Adventures
567 New Dam Rd, Olmsted, IL 62970, Olmsted, Illinois 62970
The Olmsted Locks and Dam is one of America's most important inland waterway projects. Completed in 2018, it replaced outdated locks and now moves millions of tons of cargo each year while offering visitors an impressive look at modern river engineering.
Pyramid State Recreation Area
Listed in Park, State Recreation Area
1562 Pyramid Park Rd, Pinckneyville, IL 62274, Pinckneyville, Illinois 62274
Near Pinckneyville, Pyramid State Recreation Area is Illinois’s largest state recreation area, covering 19,701 acres of reclaimed southern Illinois landscape. Its lakes, woods, and open ground support fishing, boating, camping, hiking, picnicking, and seasonal hunting.
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