Drive The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, Then Hike To Jackson Falls For A Real Illinois Adventure
By Meghan Byers|Published September 26, 2022
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Meghan Byers
Author
A New Jersey native, Meghan is passionate about travel and enjoys finding off-the-beaten path destinations. You're most likely to find her at a coffee shop, or hitting the trails with her dogs. She graduated with a creative writing degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and has been writing professionally for over a decade.
Southern Illinois is fast becoming known for its expanding wine country. And the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail gives you a chance to experience a taste of 11 different wineries along a 35-mile stretch, while also enjoying some beautiful Illinois scenery along the way. Once you’ve tried some delicious local wine, venture into the Shawnee National Forest for a hike to Jackson Falls, a picturesque seasonal waterfall along a trail that also features unique rock formations. Wine, scenic views, and a beautiful hike – it’s the perfect Illinois day trip.
The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail is surrounded by the Shawnee National Forest, a 289,000-acre stretch of woodlands, lakes, and rolling hills between the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.
It’s a popular destination for family picnics, hiking, rock climbing, and so much more, and it makes for an incredibly scenic drive along the Wine Trail.
Beginning in 1995 with just three wineries along the trail – Alto Vineyards, Pomona Creek Winery, and Owl Creek Vineyard – the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail was the first of its kind in the state of Illinois.
Today there are 11 wineries to visit along the trail, which follows Highway 127 and Highway 51 for about 35 miles.
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Some of the wineries on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail even provide onsite lodging, so you can stay a night or two in a bucolic setting and really explore what the Southern Illinois countryside has to offer.
Many wineries also hold frequent events with music, food trucks, markets, and more. You never know what you’ll find. Get out and see some live music, or just take in the scenery as you sip your choice of local Illinois wine.
Once you’ve explored Illinois’s wine country, delve deeper into the Prairie State’s natural beauty with a refreshing hike to a waterfall. Jackson Falls is a seasonal waterfall, so you’ll want to time your hike for when there’s been recent rainfall.
To reach the bottom of the falls (and the best views), you’ll need to take Trail 049, a loop trail that comes in at around 3.25 miles. Be very cautious navigating the rocky sections, and admire the sandstone bluffs along your route. This is a popular area for climbers, with climbing hooks installed on multiple bluffs.
At approximately 60 feet tall, Jackson Falls is an impressive sight, especially after a good rainfall.
It even freezes over in the winter for an especially magical scene, though hikers should be extra cautious navigating these trails in wintry conditions.
Listen to the rush of the water and take in the view – this is one of the prettiest spots in Southern Illinois.
Looking for more to explore in Southern Illinois? While we love the Shawnee National Forest, you should also consider a visit to this peaceful and remote lake in Carbondale!
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