Jackson: Discover Lakes, Rocks and Trails

Jackson combines large lakes, distinctive sandstone formations, protected natural areas and trails offering very different experiences. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home can therefore plan their trip around their preferred vacation theme: Should the day begin by the water, lead through rocky landscapes or combine archaeological and natural-history discoveries? The following places and trails provide specific points of reference for this.

Lakes, forests and protected landscapes

Kinkaid Lake is located in Jackson County and covers 2,750 acres. Sandstone formations along cliffs and gentle hills characterize its surroundings; the hills are predominantly covered by oak and hickory trees. Four boat ramps and a full-service marina also make the lake interesting for visitors who want to spend their days by the water. When looking for accommodation in Jackson, this landscape can be an important selection criterion if you want to combine lake experiences with nature observation.

Lake Murphysboro State Park offers a different focus. The state park covers 1,022 acres. The Lake Murphysboro Hill Prairies protected area is also located in the southwestern part of Jackson County. Archaeological evidence there points to Archaic and Paleo-Indian cultures of Native Americans. Here, nature and history come together without requiring you to limit your trip to just one type of experience.

The Piney Creek Ravine State Natural Area further expands the picture of the region. The 198-acre nature preserve is located on the border between Randolph County and Jackson County. Piney Creek Ravine contains nearly 200 prehistoric rock-art depictions, believed to date from the Late Woodland and Mississippian periods. A hiking trail runs along a cliff edge above the creek. For your daily planning, this means that landscape, physical activity and an exceptional testimony to earlier cultures are all closely at the heart of the experience here.

Hiking with different focuses

The trails in and around Jackson differ considerably in length and character. Lake Murphysboro State Park has a designated 2-mile trail. It provides opportunities to observe the park’s plant, animal and bird life.

The Red Cedar Hiking Trail is 12 miles long and has an overnight camping site halfway along the route. It therefore appeals to visitors who consider a longer hike an independent part of their stay. By contrast, shorter days or days with a stronger focus on natural history can be combined with Fern Rocks. The 170-acre protected area lies within Giant City State Park and includes high-quality dry and mesic upland forests, cliffs and rock outcrops. Fern Rocks is suitable for hiking, birdwatching and nature study.

The Giant City Nature Trail leads to another distinctive landscape. It takes you to the "Giant City Streets", massive sandstone cliffs formed 12,000 years ago. Together with the forests and rock outcrops of Fern Rocks, this creates a selection of travel experiences for different interests: Some days can be devoted to observing plants, animals and birds, while others can focus on experiencing unusual rock formations.

Guidance for choosing your accommodation

The Giant City Visitor Center offers interpretive exhibits on the park’s geology, plants, animals and history, as well as information on regional tourism. It can therefore be a useful addition if you want to learn about the natural attractions not only while out exploring but also through explanatory exhibits. When choosing your holiday apartment in Jackson, it is worth weighing your planned excursions against your preferred way of structuring each day: Kinkaid Lake stands for water, boat ramps and wooded hills, while the state parks and protected areas bring rocks, trails, wildlife observation and traces of cultural history to the fore.

There is also a specific regional connection when it comes to food. The Barbecue Cook off includes the competition categories whole hog, pork shoulder and ribs. This complements a trip that aims to combine experiences of nature and landscapes with local events and food culture.

More places to consider

If you would like to compare places besides Jackson, the following destinations lead to their own pages: Gorham, Vergennes, Carbondale, Murphysboro, Dowell and Makanda. You can also visit the pages for Shelby County and Jersey County. Above all, compare whether the focus of your trip should be on lakes, rocky landscapes, hiking, nature observation or cultural history.

For the overarching travel overview: Illinois.