Shawnee National Forest: southern Illinois hills
Sandstone canyons, a giant cross, the Garden of the Gods and a pirate cave on the Ohio River.
- Distance
- 243 km (151 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 42 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 8
- States
- IL
- Updated
- April 24, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 243 km (151 mi) with 8 stops, from Carbondale to Metropolis. About 2 h 42 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Illinois
Route description
Southern Illinois looks nothing like the prairie in the north. Start in Carbondale, a university town, and drive west to the Little Grand Canyon, a loop trail down a sandstone box canyon; it is steep and slippery after rain.
Head south along the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail to Alto Pass and the Bald Knob Cross, a huge white cross with views over the forest, then east to Giant City State Park, with its sandstone “streets” and stone lodge.
Follow State Road 13 and 34 east to the Garden of the Gods, where a short flagstone trail winds among wind-carved rock formations; come for sunset. From here, it’s a short drive to Cave-in-Rock State Park, a riverside cave once used by river pirates; a free car ferry crosses to Kentucky.
Finish on the Ohio River at Metropolis, where a Superman statue stands in front of the courthouse. Spring (with dogwoods) and October are ideal; summers are hot and humid, and ticks are common in the woods.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Carbondale
IL - 220 km
Little Grand Canyon
NatureMurphysboro, ILA three-mile loop trail drops through a sandstone box canyon and climbs to bluff views over the Big Muddy River bottoms. Steep and slick after rain.
- 318 km
Bald Knob Cross of Peace
OdditiesAlto Pass, ILA 111-foot white cross on one of the highest hills in southern Illinois, with wide views over the Shawnee Hills and nearby wine trail.
- 416 km
Giant City State Park
NatureMakanda, ILHuge sandstone blocks form “streets” in the forest, with a stone lodge built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
- 586 km
Garden of the Gods
NatureHerod, ILWind-sculpted sandstone formations above the Shawnee National Forest, reached by a short flagstone trail with sweeping views at sunset.
- 629 km
Cave-in-Rock State Park
HistoryCave-in-Rock, ILA large river cave on the Ohio River once used by pirates who robbed flatboats. A free car ferry crosses to Kentucky next to the park.
- 774 km
Superman Statue
OdditiesMetropolis, ILA 15-foot painted bronze Superman in front of the courthouse in the self-proclaimed hometown of the hero, with a small museum across the street.
- 80 km
Metropolis
IL
FAQs
How long is Shawnee National Forest: southern Illinois hills?
3-day road trip of about 243 km (151 mi) with 8 stops, from Carbondale to Metropolis. About 2 h 42 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Shawnee National Forest: southern Illinois hills?
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 42 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Shawnee National Forest: southern Illinois hills start and end?
It starts in Carbondale and ends in Metropolis.
Which states does Shawnee National Forest: southern Illinois hills pass through?
Illinois.
