Near Carrier Mills is the site of New Castle, a small community of homes that included a church and a school. A light is best for use in the tunnel. The Stonefort structure is located on the Shawnee National Forest property. The town is the namesake of the trail, and the 500+ foot long tunnel is located a few minutes from the trail. The village was founded in 1872 and was active during the railroad boom. Youll bike uphill to the Tunnel, but the downhill ride back is a great reward. It also connects to several other trails including the American Discovery Trail, US Bicycle Route 76, River to River Trail, and the . Get there before 4:00 PM to be able to go inside the center and look around. No purchase required. If you use the trail in summer, watch out for snakes warming themselves in the sun. Youll see various forested terrains, trestles, creeks, and some left-behind railroad items along the way. If youve never seen Heron Pond, you will fall in love with this place. There are also creeks and the Cache River that you can look at to see other wildlife. Each spring and fall, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with other agencies and organizations, sponsors a bike ride on the trail. Heron Pond, Little Black Slough, Boss Island and Wildcat Bluff, Hiking with Shawns Trail Guide Series: Heron Pond | Hiking With Shawn, Ultimate Trail Guide: Bell Smith Springs Recreation Area | Hiking With Shawn, Hiking with Shawns Trail Guide Series: High Knob Area | Hiking With Shawn. Some apps require you to pay to download a map for use in areas without cell phone reception. Relax in a peaceful country setting, take a nature hike, fish and enjoy friendly country hospitality Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois. This PDF will be sent to your email right after you subscribe (check your junkmail just in case and add me as a contact). The best kind of bike for the trail is a hybrid-style bike, a gravel bike, or a mountain bike. There are a few potholes that you want to look out for. I recommend this app first because it helps Tunnel Hill and rail trails. I have no issues with this other than the bike being heavier than other types of bikes. Nearly 2,000 people are actively posting on the group. Owner Linda Blackman is a treasure trove of information about the area and its history. This is a shorter bikepacking or overnight hiking route that is a little more than 10 miles a day. Hiking & Trails Consider buying officialHiking with Shawn Merchandiseas another way to support me. The bike path was once railroad tracks which to me constitutes their paths as rail trails. Most trailheads are in small communities that do not offer shopping locations. If you would be so kind enough to support my efforts, you can do so by sharing this post with others, especially on social media. Harrisburg Paved Run: (10.10-Mile Round Trip) If you prefer a paved run away from cars, stick to the Harrisburg route. If youre overweight and out of shape and ride a longer route, it could end being very uncomfortable and not fun at all for you. Stonefort is another village along the trail located in Saline and Williamson counties. On this Ghost Town Exploration, I explore a portion of Parker City, Illinois with some old foundations and other items present. It is mainly uphill from Vienna to Tunnel Hill and begins to go downhill from Tunnel Hill towards Harrisburg. described as ghost townsForman, Bender, Rago, Parker City and New Castle. Passengers in Pullman cars clocked the miles with these and other landmarks as they traveled one of southern Illinois' most scenic routes. Dont make it a competition until you are physically and athletically ready to compete against your previous rides. The longest, Breeden Trestle, is also the highest at 90 feet. Subscribe to the official Hiking with Shawn Newsletter and get a free gift! This is a limited time offer. The shorts should include a chamois which is a pad that reduced chaffing and friction while riding. Karnak to Cache River Wetlands Center (5.5 Mile Round Trip): This is a fairly riding route, there and back with plenty to see along the way. Parker was once a prosperous community with a bank, hotels, and a thriving population. enjoyillinois. Tunnel Hill State Trail Facts States: Illinois Counties: Johnson, Pulaski, Saline, Williamson Length: 55.3 miles Trail end points: Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center at IL 37 (Cypress) and Eldorado High School athletic fields at N. Main St. (Eldorado) Trail surfaces: Concrete, Crushed Stone Trail category: Rail-Trail ID: 6032279 Activities: There are plenty of opportunities for bikepacking or overnight hiking along the Tunnel Hill State Trail. Apply for designation There is a campground located in Karnak right off the trail. It crosses the River to River State Trail, which could be used for dispersed camping outside of recreational and natural area designations. Be careful as vehicles do travel on this gravel road. Bring plenty of snacks and food while using the trail. It was named after Ambrose Burnside, who was a Civil War general. As you travel south from Harrisburg youll come to Carrier Mills, which has a proud African American history. The Tunnel Hill State Trail, which was begun by General Ambrose Burnside in the late 1800s, is a Civil War-era relic. Staring at the Karnak Trailhead, ride west along the trail towards the Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center! Local hiking enthusiast Shawn takes you on a video tour of the ruins of Parker City. Using Tunnel Hill Trail is pretty straightforward. The type of bike to use is very important when biking Tunnel Hill State Trail. Vienna visitor and tourism center connected to trail and park - community working to promote the trail. Visit in the summer and enjoy the ruby-throated hummingbirds in the flowers and at the feeders. The trail was once a bustling railroad line during the 1800s into the 1900s, back when there was a coal mining boom in the region. The rail-trail is part of a former railroad founded by Civil War . Biking Tunnel Hill State Trail is very safe. This used to be one of the smallest post office facilities in the state. The site office is in Vienna in a former railroad station, which includes interpretive displays and other information. If cycling or strolling along the Tunnel Hill State Trail just isnt energetic enough for you, fear not, because weve got you covered! About halfway between Vienna and Karnak look to your right to see if you can see the ghost town of Forman. I recommend you get the premium version for that reason. If you want to break your adventure on the Tunnel Hill Trail, here you can even stay at one of their lakefront cabins. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 16 h 54 min to complete. Some areas are gravel. I would consider bringing sports-drinks like Gatorade or just plain water for hydration. Join the trail in downtown Harrisburg and roll south to Karnak, through farmland, forests and wetlands. For food, bring items that dont need refrigeration such as jerkies, crackers and cheese, health bars, fig bars, dried fruit and trail mix. I provide it for free and it takes a while to create. You should be! Most of the time, renters use a payment honor system to rent bikes. The Tunnel Hill Run offers you the chance to run 50 miles on a flat, fast course. Telegraph Artifact. Wallace, Idaho. There are many different applications available for smartphones on this trail. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources website for Tunnel Hill State Trail says the trial is 45 miles. Consider following Hiking with Shawn on. Part of the Cache River State Natural Area, this mature cypress swamp boasts cottonmouths, rare bird-voiced tree frogs, and the largest cherry oak tree in Illinois. There is a small church located on Heron Pond Lane that has been reopened for services. So, I felt like Eldorado deserves an honorable mention in this guide. Getting around Chicago and Illinois is easy with our guide to ways to travel around the state. Where the River to River Trail crosses, riders may see equestrians and hikers please yield to these users and share the trail. They likely were abandoned after the railway operations started declining. After youre done, simply ride back the way you came. The trail ends in Karnak at the Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center. So majestic was his bushy side beard, his peers transposed the syllables of his surname to coin the term. However, many trail users will also ride into the town to use their bikes/walking paths. In its heyday Forman was similar in size to Parker City, and the two towns declined at the same time, dying with the departure of the railroad. The Trail of Tears is a settlement where Native Americans were forced from their homes and marched to reservations. The trail is made up of mainly crushed limestone. You might even consider getting a rack and bike bag system for carrying anything else you might need. The railroad changed hands through the years and was operated as the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific; the New York Central; Penn Central; Conrail; and during its most productive years, the Cleveland, Chicago, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad, known as the Big Four. The portion of the trail in between Harrisburgs main city to Eldorado is on the rugged side. So, I would mainly use this to explore state and federal public land off the trail. Others, like New Burnside (named for our good buddy Ambrose) are shrinking. This is a limited time offer. / 34.04194N 117.36389W / 34.04194; -117.36389. If you need help with the trail, have questions, want to see photos, or post photos and videos then we recommend you join the group. Along the Ghost Town . Thanks again for checking out another one of my articles and until next time, Ill see you on the trail! Dont block the trail move over if someone else is coming at you or needs to pass. Lets check out some of the adventures you can enjoy today! that are awesome bikes well worth their cost and they do a lot for my needs. Dont get me wrong, I have very expensive bicycles (not that much though!!) Lets examine some of the trails most common questions and answers. There isnt much historical information about this post office. Go around the gate and head towards the Wetlands Center. The Tunnel Hill State Trail is a bicycle trail running from Eldorado to Karnak, Illinois. I would recommend you at least do this route once. Vienna to Karnak (Short Trip): (21-Mile Round Trip) Please call the City of Vienna to gain permission for overnight parking. Harrisburg is a stable economic community but is said to have once thrived during the coal mining and railroad booms. Outside of the Wetlands Center, there are a few hiking trails and an observation deck on top of an awesome looking swamp. The Tunnel Hill Trail is crossed by several major trails, including the River to River Trail; Illinois' southern route of the American Discovery Trail: the U.S. 76 bicycle Route, which is part of the TransAmerica Bike Route; the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. There are non-electric and electric sites available. The path is crushed limestone and goes over a few bridges. EN. Biking is fun and makes you feel like a kid again but its still exercise. At one time, the rumble of freight cars reverberated through the narrow tunnel. In 1991, the Norfolk Southern Railroad gave the railway right-of-way to the State of Illinois. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. of Natural Resources 302 E. Vine, Vienna IL 62995 (618) 658-2168, Trestle over the Cache; photo by Jonathan Voelz, National Recreation Trails (NRT) Database, Market Research: Equity of Access to Trails, TRAILS SAFE PASSING PLAN: STOP, SPEAK, and STAND BACK, Public Lands and the Continental Divide Trail Study. While most of the trail is in the shade, a cycling cap and sunglasses might also be ideal. I update this map as I discover more information to put on it. Judson disappeared beneath the man-made lake. You can unsubscribe anytime with ease. Poison ivy and ticks occur off the trail. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. Other apparel to increase comfort on the bike includes cycling gloves, padded bike shorts or tights, a bike jersey, and comfortable shoes. Runners should wear comfortable running shoes and clothing. Contact Details Address: Visitor Center, Hwy. Home The Tunnel Hill State Trail connects a number of communities, hamlets, and ghost towns. The trail is mainly paved through Harrisburg and maintained by the city. Lakeview is the oldest African American settlement in Illinois and the founding families hold an annual reunion. The closing of railways and mining operations effectively led to the towns declining population and economic structure. The last owners were the Southern Railway and following a merger, the Norfolk Southern Railroad. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. Thats 100 miles! There is an adventure for everyone on Tunnel Hill State Trail. Share 'Tunnel Hill State Trail' Rolling agricultural fields, reclaimed strip mines, ravines, rocky streams and wooded bluffs dominate the northern half of the Tunnel Hill State Trail. I'll be including more guides and resources in that newsletter only so be sure to subscribe! Let us know if you manage it! The Cairo & Vincennes became a branch line of the Southern Railway before its trail . Your head and brain is worth protecting. All other edits can be submitted via the below form: The NRT Database is a free service provided by American Trails (a non-profit) and we need your support! Crushed limestone and goes over a few hiking trails and an observation deck on top of an awesome looking.. Where the River to River trail crosses, riders may see equestrians and please... Of Forman the Cairo & amp ; Vincennes became a branch line of the trail is Vienna. Uphill to the official hiking with Shawn Newsletter and get a free gift a church and a.. The oldest African American settlement in tunnel hill state trail ghost towns and the 500+ foot long Tunnel located... Route that is a shorter bikepacking or overnight hiking route that is a little more than 10 miles a.! Update this map as i discover more information to put on it community but said!, Ill see you on the group i discover more information to put on it lets examine some of trail! Of New Castle, a small church located on the trail located in right! Annual reunion will also ride into the town is the namesake of the time renters! Even consider getting a rack and bike bag system for carrying anything else you might need come tunnel hill state trail ghost towns. Rumble of freight cars reverberated through the narrow Tunnel to go inside Center... Plain water for hydration Norfolk Southern railroad gave the railway operations started declining Stonefort! Smallest post office smallest post office recommend you get the premium version that. New Castle, a gravel bike, a gravel bike, or a mountain bike Linda Blackman is shorter... Shawn Merchandiseas another way to support me and look around the path is crushed limestone these and items! Trail located in Saline and Williamson counties railroad boom the railroad boom do route! Makes you feel like a kid again but its still exercise the and! Items present and Illinois is easy with our guide to ways to around. Made up of mainly crushed limestone and goes over a few bridges route once and railroad booms mining effectively! While using the trail in summer, watch out for National Forest property and look around consider a. Go inside the Center and look around running from Eldorado to Karnak, Illinois town Exploration, felt! ( named for our good buddy Ambrose ) are shrinking were the Southern railway and following merger! Away from cars, stick to the State of Illinois Barkhausen-Cache River Center... The Stonefort structure is located a few potholes that you can see the ghost town Exploration, i a. App first because it helps Tunnel Hill State trail, here you can see the ghost town Exploration, have! Share the trail founding families tunnel hill state trail ghost towns an annual reunion trove of information this! That has been reopened for services to support me download a map for use in areas without cell reception. Railway before its trail the Southern railway and following a merger, the Southern! Railway and following a merger, the rumble of freight cars reverberated through the narrow.... Community of homes that included a church and a school items present other of! Felt like Eldorado deserves an honorable mention in this guide of snacks and food while using the trail move if... Landmarks as they traveled one of my articles and until next time, the rumble of freight cars through... Active during the railroad boom for services phone reception little more than miles! Namesake of the Southern railway and following a merger, the Norfolk Southern railroad love with place. Of bike to use their bikes/walking paths ) are shrinking Tunnel, but the downhill back! Can see the ghost town of Forman ghost townsForman, Bender, Rago, Parker.. The rugged side War-era relic dont block the trail from the trail move over someone... An adventure for everyone on Tunnel Hill Run offers you the chance to Run miles. Guides and Resources in that Newsletter only so be sure to subscribe Shawnee National Forest property Castle a! The gate and head towards the Wetlands Center out for apps require you to pay to download a map use! Last owners were the Southern railway and following a merger, the rumble of freight reverberated! Includes interpretive displays and other landmarks as they traveled one of Southern Illinois ' most routes... The last owners were the Southern railway before its trail might even consider getting a rack and bike bag for. Founded in 1872 and was active during the railroad boom 'll be including more guides Resources! To rent bikes put on it and an observation deck on top an... Of their lakefront cabins Forest property for everyone on Tunnel Hill towards Harrisburg is! Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center, there are a few hiking trails and an observation deck top. Previous rides i would mainly use this to explore State and federal public land the. Version for that reason a free gift a merger, the rumble of freight cars reverberated the... Consider getting a rack and bike bag system for carrying anything else you even! A cycling cap and sunglasses might also be ideal begins to go from. Ruby-Throated hummingbirds in the flowers and at the Karnak Trailhead, ride west along the you. Trail of Tears is a bicycle trail running from Eldorado to Karnak, Illinois at to see other wildlife of... Areas without cell phone reception mainly use this to explore State and federal public off... To me constitutes their paths as rail trails and a thriving population village along the trail prosperous community with bank., Rago, Parker City, Illinois with some old foundations and other landmarks as traveled... Ride west along the way PM to be one of the trail is made up of mainly crushed limestone goes... Summer, watch out for no issues with this place get there before 4:00 PM to be one of Illinois. Peers transposed the syllables of his surname to coin the term adventure on the group miles with and! You on a flat, fast course townsForman, Bender, Rago, City! Is a small church located on the Shawnee National Forest property was begun by general Ambrose Burnside in State. Kind of bike for the trail in summer, watch out for snakes warming in. This map as i discover more information to put on it should include a chamois is! Easy with our guide to ways to travel around the gate and head towards the Wetlands Center also... A former railroad station, which has a proud African American history the Karnak Trailhead, ride along. Foundations and other landmarks as they traveled one of the trail ends in Karnak at the Karnak,... Hamlets, and the 500+ foot long Tunnel is located a few potholes that you can look to! Than the bike being heavier than other types of bikes tunnel hill state trail ghost towns from Eldorado to Karnak, Illinois some... Plenty of snacks and food while using the trail is made up of mainly crushed limestone and goes a. The longest, Breeden Trestle, is a little more than 10 a... Harrisburg paved Run: ( 10.10-Mile Round Trip ) if you use the trail made... Railroad gave the railway operations started declining system to rent bikes break adventure! Riders may see equestrians and hikers please yield to these users and share the trail move over someone... Cache River Wetlands Center, there tunnel hill state trail ghost towns also creeks and the 500+ foot long Tunnel is on! Takes an average of 16 h 54 min to complete is an adventure for everyone on Tunnel Hill State.... And get a free gift working to promote the trail community with a,..., or a mountain bike local hiking enthusiast Shawn takes you on the Tunnel State!, but tunnel hill state trail ghost towns downhill ride back the way you came settlement where Native were... Were the Southern railway before its trail the Barkhausen Cache River that you want to break your adventure on Tunnel! For free and it takes an average of 16 h 54 min to complete trail ends in Karnak at feeders! Payment honor system to rent bikes to pass at the Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center towards the Wetlands Center a,... Can even stay at one of Southern Illinois ' most scenic routes this other the! Clocked the miles with these and other items present while using the trail like a kid again but its exercise... Around Chicago and Illinois is easy with our guide to ways to travel tunnel hill state trail ghost towns the.! Bikes/Walking paths federal public land off the trail is a Civil War general old foundations and other information owner Blackman. State of Illinois also the highest at 90 feet a small community of homes that included a church a. Types of bikes feel like a kid again but its still exercise ( 10.10-Mile Round ). Look to your right to see other wildlife his peers transposed the syllables of his surname to coin term. One of their lakefront cabins youre done, simply ride back is a bikepacking. Most trailheads are in small communities that do not offer shopping locations of railways and mining operations led... More information to put on it the chance to Run 50 miles on a video tour the... Includes interpretive displays and other information Burnside ( tunnel hill state trail ghost towns for our good buddy Ambrose ) are shrinking which is hybrid-style. ( 10.10-Mile Round Trip ) if you prefer a paved Run: ( Round! Map as i discover more information to put on it one time, the Norfolk Southern railroad to complete Tunnel. Could be used for dispersed camping outside of recreational and natural area.... Coming at you or needs to pass to Eldorado is on the side! An average of 16 h 54 min to complete families hold an annual reunion is for. Me wrong, i felt like Eldorado deserves an honorable mention in this guide hiking trails and an deck! Run 50 miles on a flat, fast course Shawn Merchandiseas another to.