There Are A Total Of 9 Nature Trails Hiding In The Small Town Of Carbondale, Illinois

Nature trails are plentiful in the Illinois town of Carbondale. Let's just say the home of Southern Illinois University is well preserved, in a natural sense. It certainly helps that Green Earth, Inc., has created nature preserves featuring several hiking trails that are generally short and easy to walk. Founded in 1974, Green Earth is a not-for-profit organization that's responsible for a significant chunk of Carbondale's outdoor recreation offerings. Nearly all of the trails listed below are accommodating to families with children, with varied landscapes and peaceful settings.

1. Campus Lake Trail

The 2-mile loop of the Campus Lake Trail of Southern Illinois University is paved and open only to pedestrians.

2. Woodland Trail

The Woodland Trail lives up to its name in the Oakland Nature Preserve. The 0.5-mile loop is entirely in the woods.

3. Stan Harris Trail

The Oakland Nature Preserve is starker, yet just as tranquil, in the winter as in the summer when the prairie flowers are in bloom.

4. Herbie Beyler Trail

The Herbie Beyler Trail is named after a founding member of Green Earth. The 0.6-mile loop features varying habitats within the Brush Hill Nature Preserve and is moderately difficult.

5. Marberry Arboretum Main Loop

The trees of the Marberry Arboretum are reflected in the serene water. Look for the bamboo trees near marker 9 on the 0.5-mile loop.

6. Maurice Webb Trail

Located within the Chautauqua Bottoms Nature Preserve, the Maurice Webb Trail is a 0.5-mile loop that's known for its prairie flowers.

7. Woodland Spur Trail

The 0.9-mile loop of the Woodland Spur Trail is a nice, flat walk in a natural setting.

8. David Kenney Trail

The 1.8-mile, out-and-back David Kenney is considerably longer than most trails in Carbondale and also connects to some shorter trails in the Chautauqua Bottoms Nature Preserve.

9. Fernlands Preserve Trail

The Fernlands Preserve Trail is a 0.8-mile, out-and-back trail that goes through three distinct areas of the preserve.

In all, Green Earth operates six sites in the Carbondale area, covering 220 acres. The land conservation organization was launched with a $102,000 grant from the town and used some of that money to acquire Brush Hill, then used investments and donations to fund its expansion. Here's another hike to a waterfall not far from Carbondale and a great lake to visit in the town.