See The Very Best Of The Ohio River Scenic Byway In Illinois In One Day On This Epic Road Trip

Take a drive down the Ohio River Scenic Byway in Illinois for a trip that is full of excellent views. Experience the river, state parks, and more all at once. Scroll on for more details.

The Ohio River National Scenic Byway follows one of the United States' most magnificent and well-known rivers and passes by quite a few extraordinary sights along the way.

In Illinois, the road begins in Cairo and passes through the Shawnee National Forest, taking drivers past many well-known state parks and recreational areas.

You'll find Cave-In-Rock, Garden of the Gods, Rim Rock Recreational Area, Fort Massac State Park, Glen O' Jones Lake, and much more.

The best part of driving the Ohio River Scenic Byway is getting to see the river, of course. Glimpses of this magnificent body of water abound.

In total, the Ohio River is 981 miles long and empties into the Mississippi River in Illinois. It passes through six states and provides drinking water to three million people.

There are more than 160 species of fish found in this river and even more animals found on land in the forests around it. Trails abound in the parks and preserves.

You can make this road trip as long or short as you like. Go somewhere specific or just drive for the views when you follow the signs or map for the Ohio River Scenic Byway.

If you've ever taken a road trip down the Ohio River Scenic Byway, we'd love to hear from you. Please share your experiences and photos with us and our readers below in the comments.

For more like this, check out 11 scenic drives in Illinois that will give you a new hobby to enjoy.