Union County: Nature, History and Wine
Accommodation in Union County
Union County combines impressive natural landscapes, regional history and the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. The county lies at the heart of the Shawnee National Forest and the wine trail. This opens up several different focal points for planning your trip: You can discover forest landscapes and rare species, visit historic sites, fish at Grassy Lake, or combine a scenic drive with winery visits, picnics and hikes.
Nature among ridges, valleys and rare species
One defining natural area is Trail of Tears State Forest in western Union County, five miles northwest of Jonesboro. Just over 5,000 acres lie within the state forest. Narrow, rocky and dry ridges alternate there with clear streams and wooded valleys in steep terrain. The name of the state forest recalls the historic events known as the “Trail of Tears.”
The plant life also makes the forest remarkable: 620 species of flowering plants, ferns and fern allies have been recorded in Trail of Tears State Forest. The LaRue-Pine Hills/Otter Pond Research Natural Area encompasses 14 natural communities and features outstanding geological characteristics. It is home to 37 plant and animal species that are rare, threatened or endangered in Illinois. It is also notable that the entire Illinois population of the woodrat is found in this natural area.
Another natural area is Bald Knob Wilderness. Birdwatching and wildlife viewing are possible there, and you can also hike the Bald Knob Trail. Dispersed primitive camping is permitted in the wilderness. Those who enjoy alternating active days with intensive nature observation while planning a trip will find different ways to shape their stay.
Hiking, fishing and special seasonal conditions
Trail of Tears State Forest offers Class C tent camping, Class D backpacking camping and group camping at some sites. Fishing is permitted at Grassy Lake from March 1 through October 15. Outboard motors there are limited to a maximum of 10 horsepower. You should take these specific time and usage conditions into account when planning a day of fishing.
An exceptional nature-viewing experience is offered by the 2.5-mile-long Snake Road in Union County. It is closed to vehicle traffic in spring and fall because of the snake migrations. The closure is an important point in your daily planning if you would like to visit this section. As a result, the character of a stay changes significantly by season, without this implying a general statement about other roads or routes in the county.
History, pottery and local insights
The Union County Museum showcases a broad range of regional topics. Exhibits include Kirkpatrick Pottery from Anna, Illinois, Native American artifacts, and displays on agricultural and railroad history, barrel making, historic tools, the Civil War and local history. For groups of approximately 20 to 30 adults, the museum can arrange special openings and guided tours; admission is free.
In Jonesboro, the Lincoln-Douglas Debate Site in Lincoln Memorial Park commemorates the 1858 debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. The site features life-size bronze statues of Lincoln and Douglas beside a limestone memorial boulder. This gives the site a tangible connection to an important chapter in American history.
Alto Clay Works adds handcrafted functional pottery to the cultural offerings. The showroom is open Thursday through Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. There is also a classroom for pottery courses for adults and young people. Depending on the offerings, a visit can therefore involve not only viewing pottery but also taking part in a hands-on activity.
Wine trail and trip planning
The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail connects 11 wineries along a 35-mile scenic drive on Illinois Highways 127 and 51. Experiences connected with the trail include winery visits, picnics, hikes, shopping and overnight stays in cabins or bed-and-breakfast accommodations. When choosing a vacation rental or vacation home in Union County, it can therefore make sense to determine your preferred mix of activities first: nature observation, culture, fishing or a leisurely drive lead to different travel plans.
If you are traveling with varied interests, Union County can also be explored in stages. A stay focused on forests and wildlife has different highlights from a trip centered on museums, pottery and the Lincoln-Douglas Debate Site. The wine trail, in turn, combines scenic experiences with regional producers, without requiring you to dedicate your entire stay to a single theme.
Additional places for orientation
For further trip planning, you can also visit the pages on Cobden and Alto Pass. This allows you to consider different local connections and personal interests in addition to Union County’s nature, cultural and wine offerings.
For the overarching travel overview: Illinois.
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