Indian Creek IllinoisATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Indian Creek, Illinois.
1. Des Plaines River Trail
SCENIC MULTI-USE TRAIL
The Des Plaines River Trail stretches over 56 miles along the Des Plaines River, offering a scenic natural escape through Lake and Cook Counties just outside Chicago. This multi-use trail is popular with cyclists, walkers, runners, and occasional horseback riders who enjoy its gravel paths that run largely along the water. Visitors can experience the tranquility of nature while following the southward flow of the Des Plaines River from Wisconsin down through Illinois.
2. Millennium Trail
GLACIAL LAKE VIEWS
The Millennium Trail leads hikers and cyclists to beautiful views of Schreiber Lake, a 5.36-acre glacial lake surrounded by floating sedge and willow hummocks. Visitors can enjoy the serene natural setting while exploring the trail system that connects to other outdoor recreational areas in the region. The trail provides an excellent opportunity to observe local flora and fauna in a peaceful environment away from urban settings.
3. Indian Creek Massacre Historic Site
BLACK HAWK WAR MEMORIAL
The Indian Creek Massacre Historic Site in Earlville commemorates the tragic events of 1832 during the Black Hawk War, offering visitors a poignant glimpse into an important chapter of American history. Well-maintained trails allow for peaceful exploration of the landscape, complemented by interpretive signs that detail the story of the massacre and its significance. The serene atmosphere of this historical landmark makes it an ideal spot for reflection and learning about Native American and settler interactions in the Midwest.
4. Giant City Indian Creek Trail
SHORT SCENIC HIKE
Giant City Indian Creek Trail is a short but scenic hike that offers visitors a surprising variety of natural attractions within Giant City State Park. Hikers can enjoy lovely views of hardwood forests, cross bridges over the unusually clear Indian Creek, and explore bluff areas where Native Americans once crafted tools from chert. The trail changes character with each season, featuring vibrant greenery in summer, colorful foliage in fall, open vistas in winter, and blooming wildflowers in spring.
5. Bald Knob Cross of Peace
MONUMENTAL RELIGIOUS LANDMARK
Bald Knob Cross of Peace stands as an impressive 111-foot-tall white cross atop one of the highest points in Southern Illinois, visible for over 7,500 square miles. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Shawnee National Forest and surrounding countryside from this peaceful monument. The site includes a welcome center with exhibits about the cross's history and hosts various religious gatherings throughout the year, particularly during Easter.
6. Cache River State Natural Area
ANCIENT CYPRESS WETLANDS
The Cache River State Natural Area protects over 14,000 acres of wetlands containing some of the oldest living trees east of the Mississippi, including 1,000-year-old bald cypress trees. Visitors can explore this unique ecosystem by canoe or kayak, paddling through mysterious swamps that have earned the nickname 'Illinois' Little Bayou'. Hiking trails, boardwalks, and observation decks provide additional opportunities to spot diverse wildlife including over 100 endangered or threatened species that call this wetland home.
7. Cave-In-Rock State Park
HISTORIC RIVER PIRATES' CAVE
Cave-In-Rock State Park features a massive 55-foot-wide limestone cave that overlooks the Ohio River, once used as a hideout by river pirates and outlaws in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Visitors can explore the cave and enjoy spectacular views of the Ohio River from the mouth of this natural formation that has been featured in several films, including Disney's 'Davy Crockett and the River Pirates'. The surrounding 204-acre park offers camping, picnicking, hiking, and fishing opportunities with dramatic bluffs and forested areas.
8. Crab Orchard Lake
RECREATION AND WILDLIFE REFUGE
Crab Orchard Lake is the centerpiece of the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, offering 8,700 acres of water surface for boating, fishing, swimming, and water sports. The lake is renowned for excellent crappie, bass, and catfish fishing, with numerous boat ramps, marinas, and fishing piers available to anglers. Surrounding the lake are beautiful picnic areas, campgrounds, and hiking trails where visitors might spot some of the refuge's diverse wildlife, including deer, turkey, and bald eagles.
9. Garden of the Gods
ANCIENT ROCK FORMATIONS
Garden of the Gods Recreation Area showcases spectacular sandstone formations and cliffs that were sculpted by wind and water over 320 million years. The most popular feature is the Observation Trail, a quarter-mile flagstone path that leads visitors among towering rock formations with names like Camel Rock, Anvil Rock, and Devil's Smokestack. From various lookout points, hikers can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the rugged Shawnee Hills and the surrounding forest, especially stunning during sunrise, sunset, and fall color seasons.
10. Giant City Stables
HORSEBACK TRAIL RIDES
Giant City Stables offers guided horseback riding experiences through the beautiful terrain of Giant City State Park, allowing visitors to explore woodland trails on gentle, well-trained horses. Experienced guides lead riders of all skill levels through scenic routes that showcase the park's natural beauty, unique rock formations, and diverse flora and fauna. The stables provide a family-friendly adventure with special accommodations for children and beginners, making it an accessible outdoor activity for everyone to enjoy.
11. Giant City State Park
PREHISTORIC ROCK CITY
Giant City State Park encompasses 4,000 acres of spectacular natural beauty known for its impressive sandstone bluffs and unique 'streets' of rock formations that resemble a giant stone city built by an ancient civilization. Visitors can explore over 12 miles of hiking trails that wind through lush forests, past dramatic cliffs, and through narrow rock passages between towering bluffs. The park also features a historic lodge built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, offering rustic cabin accommodations and a restaurant famous for its fried chicken dinners.
12. Green Earth
URBAN NATURE PRESERVES
Green Earth maintains several urban nature preserves in Carbondale, providing peaceful natural spaces within the city limits for hiking, bird watching, and ecological education. The organization protects over 220 acres across multiple sites, including Oakland Nature Preserve, Pyles Fork Creek, and Chautauqua Bottoms, each featuring well-maintained trails through diverse habitats. Visitors can observe native wildflowers, trees, and wildlife while enjoying the tranquility of these preserved green spaces that serve as important ecological corridors in an urban setting.
13. Shawnee National Forest
ILLINOIS' HIDDEN WILDERNESS
Shawnee National Forest spans 280,000 acres across Southern Illinois, offering dramatic geographical features from towering bluffs to dense woodlands and cypress swamps. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore over 403 miles of equestrian and hiking trails, including the famous River to River Trail that stretches 160 miles across the entire width of southern Illinois. The forest's diverse ecosystems support abundant wildlife and plant species, while recreational opportunities include camping, fishing, hunting, rock climbing, and water activities on the forest's many lakes, ponds, and rivers.
14. Little Grand Canyon
DRAMATIC SANDSTONE FORMATION
Little Grand Canyon is a spectacular geological feature within the Shawnee National Forest, carved by water erosion through sandstone and limestone rock formations creating a 3.6-mile scenic trail loop. Hikers descend 365 feet into the canyon where they can observe unique plant communities including several rare and endangered species that thrive in the canyon's various microclimates. The challenging trail rewards visitors with breathtaking views of the Big Muddy River floodplain and the opportunity to spot wildlife such as deer, turkey, and even the occasional bobcat.
15. Pounds Hollow Recreation Area
SCENIC LAKE AND CLIFFS
Pounds Hollow Recreation Area features a beautiful 25-acre lake surrounded by towering sandstone bluffs and dense hardwood forests in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest. Visitors can enjoy swimming at the sandy beach, fishing for bass, bluegill, and catfish, or hiking the 2.5-mile loop trail that offers spectacular views of the lake and surrounding rock formations. The recreation area also provides well-maintained picnic facilities, a boat ramp for non-motorized watercraft, and nearby access to the famous Garden of the Gods wilderness area.