Area Attractions
We have information in the cabins on Restaurants, Grocery Stores, places to get free Wi-fi, and more detailed 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 more event links on Southern Illinois Tourism.org
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.
-Little Grand Canyon (about 15 minutes away) - amazing loop trail hike.
-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 open Memorial Day through Labor Day, and boat ramp.
-Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge- hunting, fishing, swimming and boating information (about 10 miles).
-White Crane Canoe Rentals - Cache River canoe and Pirogue Rentals (about 30 minutes away). Tour the most Northern Cypress Wetlands.
Golfing
-Stone Creek Golf Course (within 2 miles)
Guide Services
-Shawnee Adventure Guides - Personalized rock climbing and rappelling, canoeing and kayaking, and hiking and backpacking guide service.
-Trails of Awareness - Canoe rental for Cache river and nature guides.
Day Spas
-In Sync Massage Therapy and Spa Services - Treat yourself!
Rock Climbing
-Vertical Heartland rock climbing and rappelling school open year round.
-Honey Bee Rock Climbing vacations.
Bicycling
-Tunnel Hill Bicycle Trail - closest access to the trail from the cabins is at the Vienna entrance.
Wineries / Winery Transportation Services
Take a custom tour with SI Tours
Limo service with Amore Limousine or Stike Zone Limo service - great for groups
Leave the driving to the Shawnee Shuttle
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, Pomona Winery, Rustle Hill Winery, Star View Vineyards, Von Jakob Vineyards, Kite Hill Vineyards and Orlandini Winery.
-Wineries not along the trail but nearby include Lincoln Heritage Winery,-Monte Alegre Vineyard and Cellars - all wines offered are from grapes grown and fermented on site, and- Walker's Bluff - live entertainment and activies.
Horseback Riding and Horse Boarding
-Giant City Stables - located in Giant City State Park (minutes from the cabins)
-Rose O Sharon Farm - offers pasture riding and nightly horse boarding (less than 1 mile from the cabins)
-Honey Bee Stables - private guided horseback riding.
-Kosmic Acres Stables offers year round horse back riding in Alto Pass (about 15 minutes away) (618) 893-2347
Scenic Views
-Bald Knob Cross sits at one of the highest elevations in Southern Illinois. Enjoy the amazing view year round.
Scuba Diving
-Mermet Springs - scuba diving lessons
ATV Riding Areas
-Little Egypt Off Road - about 40 minutes away
Zip line will be opening in the summer of 2013
-Shawnee Zipline Canopy Tour - about 20 minutes away
Unique Restaurants near the cabins
I recommend either Giant City Lodge or the Creekside Grill for the best unique and close by dining experiences.
Giant City Lodge ----------------- Makanda Harbaugh’s Café ---------------- Carbondale 618-351-9897 Hunan Village ------------------- Carbondale Italian Village ------------------- Carbondale Mary Lou’s Grill ---------------- Carbondale 618-457-5084 Newell House--------------------Carbondale Fat Patties-----------------------Carbondale |
Palace Pizzaria-------------------Cobden Pagliai’s Pizza & Pasta ------- Carbondale Quatro’s Deep Pan Pizza ---- Carbondale 17th Street Bar & Grill ---- Murphysboro Trails End Lodge-----------------Cobden Tres Hombres -------------- Carbondale Yellow Moon Cafe----------------Cobden Long Branch Cafe------------Carbondale Vegetarian |
Carbondale Main Street Restaurant Listings
More Tourism Links
-Makanda Illinois Tourism - things to do in Makanda
-Southern Illinois Tourism - great source for local info and other links
-Adventure Illinois - regional information on bicycling, rock climbing, horseback riding, hunting and more
-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
The Stage Company- live performaces in Carbondale
We also have information on Area Activities and Restaurants inside the cabins.
Click here to view the Central Tourism Region Map