Area Attractions
Area information for Western Southern Illinois
We have information in the cabins on Restaurants, Grocery Stores, Liquor Stores, places to get free Wi-fi, and info on area attractions. Or you can ask us.
We are the closest private cabin rental to Giant City State Park. We are located in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest and Shawnee Hills Wine Trail
View the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail Events Calendar
View the Carbondale Convention and Tourism Events Calendar
Hiking in the Shawnee National Forest
-Oak Grove Cabin is within walking distance to one of the River to River trail heads! Just walk down Oak Grove Road (South) to McGuire Road where you intersect with Rowan Road, the trail head is at the end of Rowan Road (about 1 mile). This trail is a part of the 14 mile Cedar Lake Trail System.
-Giant City State Park (within 5 minutes away)- horseback riding, hiking, picnicing, rock 
climbing and dining at the lodge restaurant.
-The Unoffical Shawnee Trail Guide - great list of hiking trails in the Shawnee National Forest. I recommend the Little Grand Canyon.
-Ferne Cliff State Park (about 15 miles away) - hiking, fishing, and picnicing.
-On your way to Von Jacob or Alto Vineyards be sure to stop and see The Pomona Natural Bridge
-Shawnee National Forest - hunting, hiking, horseback info and more.
-Shawnee Sierra Club Adventure Information - a great resource for exploring the Shawnee National Forest
-Cache River - (about a 45 minute drive) - hike the boardwalk over the cypress swamp, hunting info and more.
Fishing, Swimming, and Boat Rentals
-Little Grassy Lake Marina - (about 10 minutes away) offers pontoon boats, fishing boats, canoes, and kayaks for full or half day rental.
-Cedar Lake - (within 3 miles) Fishing off the dock, public beach, and boat ramp.
-Beach info - the cabins are within minutes to the best two beaches in the area (Cedar Lake Beach and Campus Lake Beach)
-Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge- hunting, fishing, swimming and boating information (about 10 miles).
Golfing
-Midland Hills Golf Course (within 5 miles away)
-Stone Creek Golf Course (within 2 miles) and The Creekside Grill Restaurant.
Guide Services
-Shawnee Adventure Guides - Personalized rock climbing and rappelling, canoeing and kayaking, and hiking and backpacking guide service.
Day Spas
-In Sync Massage Therapy and Spa Services - Treat yourself!
Rock Climbing
-Vertical Heartland rock climbing and rappelling school open year round.
Bicycling
-Tunnel Hill Bicycle Trail - closest access to the trail from the cabins is at the Vienna entrance.
Wineries
Take a custom tour with SI Tours or use a limo service with Amore Limousine
Leave the driving to the Shawnee Shuttle
Wine Trail Shuttle Service (seasonal) - SMART
Visit the newest of the wineries Rustle Hill Winery - (located only 2 miles from the cabins)
-Shawnee Hills Wine Trail - complete local vineyard and winery information - wine tasting, festivals, and live music. Features 10 different wineries including Alto Vineyards, Blue Sky Vineyard, Hedman Vineyards, Owl Creek Vineyard, Inhertance Valley, Pomona Winery, Rustle Hill Winery, Star View Vineyards, Von Jakob Vineyards, Kite Hill Vineyards and Orlandini Winery.
-Lincoln Heritage Winery - brand new
-Monte Alegre Vineyard and Cellars - all wines offered are from grapes grown and fermented on site.
-Walker's Bluff - live entertainment and activies.
Horseback Riding and Horse Boarding
-Honey Bee Stables - private guided horseback riding.
-Giant City Stables - located in Giant City State Park (minutes from the cabins)
-Rose O Sharon Farm - offers nightly horse boarding (less than 1 mile from the cabins)
-Kosmic Acres Stables offers year round horse back riding in Alto Pass (about 15 minutes away) (618) 893-2347
Scuba Diving
Mermet Springs - scuba diving lessons
More Tourism Links
-Makanda Illinois Tourism Association- best source of information on things to do in Makanda including current event dates
-Southern Illinois Tourism - great source for local info and other links
-Adventure Illinois - regional information on bicycling, rock climbing, horseback riding, hunting and more
.-Carbondale Convention and Tourism - events and dining info.
-Rendleman Orchards - seasonal local produce and farm market in Pomona.
-Lipe Orchards - seasonal local produce close to cabins.
-Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau
-Southern Illinois regional information network
-Southern Illinois Outdoors - even more area outdoor info and links.
Visit Eastern Southern Illinois - Shawnee Tourism site
Unique Restaurants near the cabins
I recommend either Giant City Lodge or the Creekside Grill for the best unique and close by dining experiences.
Creekside Grill at Stone Creek ----Makanda Giant City Lodge ----------------- Makanda 618-457-4921 Harbaugh’s Café ---------------- Carbondale 618-351-9897 Hunan Village ------------------- Carbondale Italian Village ------------------- Carbondale 618-457-6559 Mary Lou’s Grill ---------------- Carbondale 618-457-5084 Newell House--------------------Carbondale Fat Patties-----------------------Carbondale 618-529-3287 |
Mississippi Flyway-----------Carbondale 618-529-9363 Palace Pizzaria-------------------Cobden Pagliai’s Pizza & Pasta ------- Carbondale Quatro’s Deep Pan Pizza ---- Carbondale 17th Street Bar & Grill ---- Murphysboro Tom’s Place --------------------- DeSoto 618-867-3033 Trails End Lodge-----------------Cobden Tres Hombres -------------- Carbondale Yellow Moon Cafe----------------Cobden |
Carbondale Main Street Restaurant Listings
We also have information on Area Activities and Restaurants inside the cabins.