Pulaski County: Cache River, Trails and History

Pulaski County combines the wetlands of the Cache River with a variety of trails, canoe routes and places where you can discover the region’s history. An important point of reference is the Cache River State Natural Area, which extends across Johnson, Massac and Pulaski Counties. The wetlands there have been designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. For your travel planning, this creates a remarkable combination of wildlife observation, outdoor activities and regional history.

Wetlands and Trails along the Cache River

The Cache River State Natural Area offers opportunities for hiking, cycling, canoeing and fishing, as well as seasonal hunting programs. If you would like to combine different day plans, you can choose from several trails with distinctly different characteristics. The Todd Fink-Heron Pond Trail is an easy, 1.5-mile trail. It crosses the Cache River via a truss bridge and continues along a floating boardwalk into Heron Pond.

The Lower Cache River Swamp Trail is 2.5 miles long and follows Cypress Creek and the Cache River to a bald cypress–tupelo swamp. At 1.15 miles, the Cypress Pond Trail is shorter, but it is considered moderately difficult and runs through mature bottomland forest and wetlands. Those looking for a longer route with a variety of landscapes will find the Little Black Slough Trail, a 5.5-mile moderate trail through bald cypress–tupelo swamps, sandstone bluffs, bottomland forests and hillside clearings.

The Hickory Bottoms Trail offers further impressions. This 1.69-mile moderate trail provides views of the Cache River swamps and passes limestone outcrops, springs and sections of boardwalk through bottomland forest. The different routes make it easier to plan your vacation days around your preferred distance, scenery and activity without trying to fit every experience into a single outing.

Canoeing, Cycling and Special Wildlife Experiences

The Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge has two boat ramps providing access to an old channel of the Cache River. From there, you can canoe through Eagle Pond and see bald cypress trees that are about 800 years old, including one tree with more than 200 cypress knees. For a trip centered on aquatic landscapes and active days, this experience is a distinct complement to the hiking trails.

The Tunnel Hill State Trail also offers an opportunity to explore the area by bicycle, on foot or while running. The trail leads to Karnak in Pulaski County, where parking is available for hikers, runners and cyclists. When choosing a vacation apartment or vacation home, you can therefore consider whether your days should focus mainly on short nature trails, longer routes, canoe trips or a combination of outdoor activities and sightseeing.

History and Culture in Pulaski County

The nature experiences are complemented by historic destinations. The Rawlings House in Mound City was built of wood in 1854 by Moses M. Rawlings, using timber transported downstream from Louisville, Kentucky. The building served as a general store, post office, hotel and barracks for troops guarding the Mound City Navy Depot. At the Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center, exhibitions on the cultural and natural history of the Cache River watershed provide additional context.

The Wetlands Center grounds include a 2,600-foot accessible trail with a wildlife observation mound at a restored wetland along the former Cypress Creek channel. Mound City National Cemetery is located in Pulaski County, about one mile from Mound City, Illinois, and is open daily for visits from dawn to dusk. The Memorial Day ceremony held there dates back to the years after the Civil War and is considered one of the oldest ceremonies in the region.

A Suitable Base for Different Vacation Days

When searching for accommodation, it is worthwhile to determine your personal focus in advance. A vacation rental in Pulaski County can serve as a starting point for planning a trip that alternates between nature trails, water-based experiences and historic sightseeing. If you would like to accommodate different interests within your travel group, the easier route at Heron Pond, the moderate trails through swamps and bottomland forests, the Tunnel Hill State Trail and the cultural destinations offer a range of options. You can also visit the page on Ullin. Find more destinations at Ogle County, Rock Island, Woodford County, Bond County, Adams, Clay County and Cass.

For the higher-level travel overview: Illinois.