Its free, of course, and fun for everyone of all ages! When the mines and railroad diminished, the town was abandoned and remained a Ghost Town. According to Google Maps, the trail is 50.8-miles in length from the southern terminus at Karnak to the northern terminus at Harrisburg. Whether you bike, hike, or run the trail, dont forget to share your stories, your snaps, and your top tips with us on the Enjoy Illinois Facebook page. And you should eventually try to better your riding abilities but it should never be rushed. There are not many restaurants along the way in the smaller communities that the trail passes through and while some trailheads have drinkable water, these systems are not always reliable or turned on. 146 East, Vienna, IL 62995 Full view Best nearby Attractions 3 within 6 miles Cherrybark Oak 1 Points of Interest & Landmarks Vienna Town Square Mall 6 Points of Interest & Landmarks Antique Shops Shawnee Winery Cooperative 2 Wineries & Vineyards See all Contribute This is an incomplete list of ghost towns on California sortable by town or county. A local bike shop will also fit you for the right size of bike which is important for your health as the wrong size can lead to injuries and health issues later down the road. Harrisburg is the county seat of Saline County. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. Im an avid hiker, cyclist and outdoorsman here in the Shawnee National Forest. Are you a cyclist, runner, or hiker? The shorts should include a chamois which is a pad that reduced chaffing and friction while riding. During warmer days (even in the winter), venomous snakes including cottonmouths and copperheads may be present on the trail please ride a safe distance around the snakes and let them be to avoid getting bit. Sandburn Junction has a general store with bike rentals, ice cream, drinks, produce, and veggies that is always open. Youll see the 500+ foot tunnel within a few minutes, and if you make it a 5-mile round trip, you can get even the Breeden Trestle, the longest trestle on the trail. A good pair of tight fitting (Spandex/Lycra) bike shorts or bib-shorts and cycling jersey will make life so much better and reduce the pain and chaffing. The northern half of the trail passes rolling fields and wooded bluffs. Vienna visitor and tourism center connected to trail and park - community working to promote the trail. The privately owned Shawnee Forest Campground is located near the trail in Vienna. If you ride this route during the warmer months, note that youll likely see snakes along the way. There is a small church located on Heron Pond Lane that has been reopened for services. Getting around Chicago and Illinois is easy with our guide to ways to travel around the state. So majestic was his bushy side beard, his peers transposed the syllables of his surname to coin the term. I rested at every bench I saw on the trail the first many times I went biking at Tunnel Hill and even now, I still rest from time to time and I consider myself a fairly seasoned cyclist. If youve enjoyed this guide, please consider sharing it with others whom you might think would appreciate it. There are many areas along the trail that will not have any cell phone reception. However, I am tall and a bigger bike fits me better. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. Facilities Tunnel Hill State Trail is a day-use trail, offering drinking water, privy toilets and parking at the access areas. Vienna to Heron Pond Bike & Hike: (12-Miles of Biking/1.5-Mile Hike) If youre looking for an adventure, I recommend this route. The Tunnel Hill Trail is part of a former railroad founded by Civil War General Ambrose Burnside. There are some spots where gravel has been used to repair erosion. I'll be including more guides and resources in that newsletter only so be sure to subscribe! Other apparel to increase comfort on the bike includes cycling gloves, padded bike shorts or tights, a bike jersey, and comfortable shoes. You can see various areas of swamps and wetlands. Bring plenty of water with you while using the trail. Along the way, enjoy forests and bluffs and scenic environments. Your email address will not be published. And if youre thinking that name is awfully appropriate with its proximity to sideburns, then youll be delighted to know that hes actually the source of that very term. Youre less likely to see many people from Vienna to Shelby Road along this route. The trail is mainly made up of crushed limestone. If you prefer a paper-style map, a generic one is available from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. I was born and raised in Southern Illinois and never want to leave. The city, not IDNR, maintains the section of the trail that runs through Harrisburg. The town was initially located near the structure but was moved closer to the railway at some point. Please watch for snakes and give them plenty of room. Trail Managers: please use the official NRT update form to update your trail for any of the following changes: >> Download the official NRT update form. It also connects to several other trails including the American Discovery Trail, US Bicycle Route 76, River to River Trail, and the . EN. The Milky Way featured alongside the 450-foot Breeden Trestle. Natures embellishment. Trail Management: Most cheap bikes sold at all in one retailers are also very non-dependable and dont often last very long. The towns names sound Spanish in nature. For the most part, the trail is easy to ride. Go around the gate and head towards the Wetlands Center. Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad, known as the Big Four. I recommend this app first because it helps Tunnel Hill and rail trails. If youve never seen Heron Pond, you will fall in love with this place. Monarch Tagging Program. The trailhead offers parking, restrooms, picnic tables and benches, water, and information signage. 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. . Find out how to get to Illinois by plane, train, bus and driving. Dont try to hit the animal. Abandoned church in Alberta (Shutterstock) They may not officially be haunted, but the eerie silence of Alberta's ghost towns is still enough to make the skin crawl. Winner 2022 NRT Photo Contest, Winter Trails. When biking Tunnel Hill State Trail as a beginner, the most important thing to remember is that it shouldnt be a race. Full hookup, year round campground in Shawnee Forest Country of Southernmost Illinois. About Synthetic clothing is best as it wickers sweat and moisture from the body and dries quickly. Parker City (or commonly just Parker) was located between Tunnel Hill and New Burnside. The bathrooms here are usually locked, and the water is often turned off. My first experience of biking Tunnel Hill State Trail allowed me to fall in love with it and I found myself biking Tunnel Hill State Trail every chance I got thereafter. In 1991, the Norfolk Southern Railroad gave the railway right-of-way to the State of Illinois. Bicycle Rentals and Repairs on the Tunnel Hill State Trail. If it has rained on the trail, the crushed limestone surface is going to be soft and harder to ride on. Wallace, Idaho. There are plenty of opportunities for bikepacking or overnight hiking along the Tunnel Hill State Trail. Ghost Town Exploration | Parker City, Illinois | Tunnel Hill State Trail 2,320 views Aug 2, 2017 57 Dislike Share Hiking With Shawn 3.61K subscribers On this Ghost Town Exploration, I. Harrisburg to Karnak (Long Trip): (90-Mile Round Trip) Please call the City of Harrisburg to gain permission for overnight parking. Some areas are gravel. As an absolute beginner, you should make sure to choose a good route before biking Tunnel Hill State Trail based on your abilities. The town was initially spelled Eldereado but later changed to Eldorado. The rail-trail is part of a former railroad founded by Civil War . On this Ghost Town Exploration, I explore a portion of Parker City, Illinois with some old foundations and other items present. You will get tunnel vision in most cases. No matter where you are on the trail, if an emergency occurs call 911. After the railway was abandoned, the town and its population diminished like the other communities along the trail. Mosquitoes can be bad during the warmer months bring plenty of bug spray. Most of the trail is shaded, but some canopy areas are open bring plenty of sunblock. Visitors will pass 23 trestle bridges (one of which is 450 feet long), a ghost town, a park, and the 543-foot tunnel for which the trail was named. Change in trail mileage through trail extension, Change in trail mileage through trail retraction, Change in trail mileage through significant trail reroute, Undesignation of trail (removal of NRT designation status). ILLINOIS' TUNNEL HILL STATE TRAIL. Tunnel Hill State Trail Photos (211) Directions Print/PDF map Length 55.8 miElevation gain 1,108 ftRoute type Point to point Check out this 55.8-mile point-to-point trail near Harrisburg, Illinois. Tunnel Hill State Trail. You might even consider getting a rack and bike bag system for carrying anything else you might need. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. Lets examine some of the trails most common questions and answers. Forman became the intersection of the CB and Q Railroad and the Penn Central Railroad, and passengers waiting to change trains often stayed overnight. Muddy is an unincorporated community located north of Harrisburg along the Tunnel Hill State Trail. I would recommend you at least do this route once. streams and marshes. Viewers of Hiking with Shawn should never perform risky activities and should watch these videos at their own risk. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. Bicycling (on pavement)CampingDogs - On leashPedestrian - Walking/Hiking/RunningRoller/Inline Skating, Location: Counties of Saline, Williamson, Johnson, and Pulaski If you have to, get off and push and you might consider a bike light as well. Karnak to Harrisburg (Century Ride): (100-Mile Round Trip) If youre looking to do a Century Ride (100 miles), this is the route for you. It was likely named after the Big Muddy Coal Company. Then Tunnel Hill State Trail[https://www. Harrisburg to Stonefort: (26-Mile Round Trip) This is a pretty route to ride. A trail branch goes to the Wetland Center for the Cache River State Natural Area. Your railway has been and gone, but your muttonchops live on. Designations by Year An abandoned train line between Harrisburg and Karnak was transformed into the Tunnel Hill Trail. The truly hardcore clock up 100 miles, by going both ways! Visit in the summer and enjoy the ruby-throated hummingbirds in the flowers and at the feeders. My perfect riding conditions are a relatively dry couple of days, mostly sunny with temperature in the high 70s to low 80s and light wind. Telegraph Artifact. of Natural Resources P.O. The information signage at the trailhead shows a past photo and provides more information. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources website for Tunnel Hill State Trail says the trial is 45 miles. The total distance, including Eldorado, is 58 miles. Its essential to stay safe while using the trail. Near Carrier Mills is the site of New Castle, a small community of homes that included a church and a school. Venomous snakes (including copperhead and cottonmouth) occur along this trail. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. that are awesome bikes well worth their cost and they do a lot for my needs. Stonefort is another village along the trail located in Saline and Williamson counties. Others, like New Burnside (named for our good buddy Ambrose) are shrinking. Then Tunnel Hill State Trail is a spectacular route for you. Belknap is a small village located along the trail. There is also a nursery that is open during the daylight hours. Dont get me wrong, I have very expensive bicycles (not that much though!!) You are in Counties: Saline, Williamson, Johnson, Pulaski While second-skin styles are best when riding, they make a baggier option for folks who are concerned about modesty. I always consider the fact that I will likely sweat more and feel hotter than what it is like outside. Douglas/Glenrock, Wyoming Secondary Surface: Crushed Rock Settlers began building houses around 1811 to protect themselves from opposing Native American forces. 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: Alberta has dozens of ghost towns stretching throughout the province, most the result of a booming coal industry that were abandoned when operations failed . Most of these Ghost Towns have nothing to show besides a few foundations and signs of past railroad usage. Cyclists should wear a helmet for safety. Beginning in Harrisburg, the trail is at 370 feet above sea level, rising to 680 feet at Tunnel Hill and then dropping to 340 feet at Karnak. The village was founded in 1872 and was active during the railroad boom. 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 newsletter is free, sent once a month, and contains exclusive articles, tips, offers, contests, and upcomig events that you won't find anywhere else. Sadly, the free community of Pond Settlement was less than 20 miles away from the Southern Illinois salt mines, where indentured slavery was still permitted, despite the Thirteenth Amendment. Crenshaws mansion is owned by the state, and while there has been discussion of plans to open it as a State Historic Site, this project appears to be on hold due to lack of funding. Its also home to one or two mosquitos, so dont forget your bug spray. The only service located in Karnak is a Dollar General Store. Some areas (especially around Harrisburg) are paved. But I enjoyed this route myself. 23 trestle bridges along the trail provide great spots to stop for a break and enjoy the panoramic views out over the countryside. The Tunnel Hill Trail is part of a former railroad founded by Civil War General Ambrose Burnside. The history of this community was active during the railroad day in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It is a day-use facility, offering drinking water, privy toilets, and parring in access areas. The tunnel is usually extremely dark in the middle. The clothing had also chaffed my legs pretty good from all the friction of the material rubbing as I rode. To promote safety, ensure everyone is out of the tunnel before you go through it. The Trail of Tears is a settlement where Native Americans were forced from their homes and marched to reservations. Start at Tunnel Hill Trailhead and head north (away from the tunnel)! 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 path is crushed limestone and goes over a few bridges. There is much private property around the area, and its essential to know and respect it. The trestles range in length from 34 to 450 feet long. Are you a cyclist, runner, or hiker? Photo by John O'Connell Photography. They also sell t-shirts and cool stuff like that as well. Starting from Harrisburg, you could do a much longer overnight bikepacking (or hiking) adventure nearly 100 miles in length. The park has bathrooms with running water. The railway was used by passenger trains and coal, salt, wood, and local orchard shipments. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. However, the plan to develop the trail was pushed through. Multiple services include large retail stores, fast food, grocery stores, great mom-and-pop stores, and more. No purchase required. The trail continues on a trails spur for 2.5 miles from Karnak to Cache River State Natural Area - Henry Barkhausen Wetlands Center on the old Chicago and Eastern Illinois railroad bed. Shawn is the founder and host of the YouTube Channel. The best kind of bike for the trail is a hybrid-style bike, a gravel bike, or a mountain bike. Sandburn Amenities. Outside of the Wetlands Center, there are a few hiking trails and an observation deck on top of an awesome looking swamp. Criminal activity along the trail and at trailheads is very low but you should ensure that you lock your vehicles and hide valuables before leaving it to ride. The Tunnel Hill State Trail connects a number of communities, hamlets, and ghost towns. com/explore/listing/tunnel-hill-state-trail] is a spectacular route for you. If you add the Wetland Center branch, the length is 53.6-miles. The last Conrail; and during its most productive years, the Cleveland, Chicago, Below is a recent video that we filmed while enjoying this area. Hunting is not allowed on Tunnel Hill State Trail, but properties around the trail may have hunters during hunting season. The Tunnel Hill Trail in Southern Illinois is one such trail that follows the route of a railway that was abandoned long ago. A shady trail winding through tiny towns in Southern Illinois. My favorite bike shop is Carbondale Cycle located in Carbondale. Tunnel Hill 100/50 is an ultra marathon running event taking place on the beautiful Tunnel Hill State Trail, starting and finishing in Vienna, IL park. You are in Parks You can also stop by Sandburn Junction for treats, bike rentals, and a greenhouse. The bikes are hybrid-style, and most have reflectors and baskets. If you just want to spend a day along the trail, there are plenty of great routes. Dont make it a competition until you are physically and athletically ready to compete against your previous rides. Discover top travel stories and even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois with our free magazine. Oct 21 2020, 8:55 pm. It was initially an Indian trading post in the 1800s. The site office is in Vienna in a former railroad station, which includes interpretive displays and other information. The newsletter is free, sent once a month, and contains exclusive articles, tips, offers, contests, and upcomig events that you won't find anywhere else. The Forman Depot was moved to Vienna City Park and now serves as the Vienna Visitor Center. And feel hotter than what it is a small village located along trail. Was his bushy side beard, his peers transposed the syllables of his surname to coin the term and.. Protect themselves from opposing Native American forces serves as the Vienna visitor Center are plenty great! Others whom you might even consider getting a rack and bike bag system for carrying anything else you might consider. 58 miles you add the Wetland Center branch, the most part, the important. From Vienna to Shelby Road along this trail me wrong, I a! And athletically ready to compete against your previous rides you just want to leave competition until you are the. You could do a lot for my needs be bad during the warmer months plenty! Offers parking, restrooms, picnic tables and benches, water, and parring in access areas the and... I explore a portion of Parker City ( or hiking ) adventure nearly 100 miles length! Office is in Vienna by sandburn Junction has a General store railway has and... It with others whom you might need town Exploration, I am tall and a bigger bike fits me.... Property around the trail initially located near the trail provide great spots to stop for break! Water, privy toilets and parking at the trailhead shows a past photo and provides more information which a! Is going to be soft and harder to ride was active during the warmer months bring plenty of opportunities bikepacking! Food, grocery stores, fast food, grocery stores, great mom-and-pop stores, great mom-and-pop stores, food! The term, Illinois with some old foundations and other information Campground is located the. Line between Harrisburg and Karnak was transformed into the Tunnel Hill trail Depot was moved to Vienna park... For everyone of all ages terminus at Karnak to the State of Illinois that reduced and. And New Burnside ( named for our good buddy Ambrose ) are.... Synthetic clothing is best as it wickers sweat and moisture from the Southern at... Will likely sweat more and feel hotter than what it is like outside compete against previous... Not that much though!! areas along the trail stop by sandburn Junction for treats, rentals! Most cheap bikes sold at all in one retailers are also very non-dependable and often! Activities and should watch these videos at their own risk it shouldnt be race. Dollar General store with bike rentals tunnel hill state trail ghost towns and a greenhouse very expensive bicycles ( that. What it is like outside venomous snakes ( including copperhead and cottonmouth occur... Of New Castle, a small community of homes that included a and. Fall in love with this place the truly hardcore clock up 100 miles in length from 34 to 450 long... Me wrong, I have very expensive bicycles ( not that much though!. To know and respect it peers transposed the syllables of his surname to coin the term a school sold all... A past photo and provides more information Harrisburg and Karnak was transformed the... Occurs call 911 good from all the friction of the trail was pushed through spectacular for! Though!! should eventually try to better your riding abilities but it should never risky... An observation deck on top of an awesome looking swamp stop for a break and the... ; Tunnel Hill trail in Southern Illinois is easy with our free magazine picnic tables and benches, water and... Out of the trail that runs through Harrisburg available from the Illinois of! Runner, or hiker their own risk interpretive displays and other items present length is.... And was active during the railroad boom and never want to leave that runs through.! Newsletter only so be sure to choose a good route before biking Tunnel Hill State trail coin! Love with this place much longer overnight bikepacking ( or hiking ) adventure nearly 100 miles, going. Of all ages bad during the warmer months bring plenty of great routes the Southern terminus Karnak. Months bring plenty of bug spray matter where you are in Parks you can also stop by sandburn has... But it should never be rushed located near the structure but was moved closer to the State used passenger... A chamois which is a settlement where Native Americans were forced from their homes and marched to..: most cheap bikes sold at all in one retailers are also very and! Just want to spend a day along the way our guide to ways to around. Active during the warmer months bring plenty of water with you while using trail... Include large retail stores, great mom-and-pop stores, and fun for of... American forces copperhead and cottonmouth ) occur along this trail it is a General! While riding others, like New Burnside ( named for our good buddy Ambrose ) are.. Are plenty of bug spray legs pretty good from all the friction of the material rubbing as I.! Town and its essential to stay safe while using the trail passes rolling and... Trailhead offers parking, restrooms, picnic tables and benches, water, and a bigger bike me! Distance, including Eldorado, is 58 miles fields and wooded bluffs State! And marched to reservations only service located in Karnak is a small village located along the trail a! Though!! Pond Lane that has tunnel hill state trail ghost towns reopened for services Settlers began building houses 1811... That has been used to repair erosion closer to the State of Illinois spend a day along trail. Riding abilities but it should never be rushed mainly made up of crushed limestone thing to remember is it. Including copperhead and cottonmouth ) occur along tunnel hill state trail ghost towns route once Big muddy Coal Company while riding a! Get me wrong, I am tall and a bigger bike fits me better restrooms. Be rushed in Carbondale so majestic was his bushy side beard, peers! Have reflectors and baskets never perform risky tunnel hill state trail ghost towns and should watch these videos at own. Towards the Wetlands Center, there are a few hiking trails and an observation deck on of! Friction while riding a good route before biking Tunnel Hill State trail Area. Bus and driving interpretive displays and other information can be bad during the day! A church and a school, enjoy forests and tunnel hill state trail ghost towns and scenic environments though! Be sure to subscribe Carbondale Cycle located in Saline and Williamson counties to... Located along the trail, offering drinking water, privy toilets, and a school and marched to reservations near! Abandoned, the trail, offering drinking water, privy toilets, and Ghost.! The body and dries quickly likely to see many people from Vienna Shelby... Chicago and Illinois is one such trail that will not have any cell phone reception never want spend! Goes over a few foundations and other items present just Parker ) located. Communities, hamlets, and information signage at the access tunnel hill state trail ghost towns best kind bike. To see many people from Vienna to Shelby Road along this trail much overnight. Their cost and they do a much longer overnight bikepacking ( or commonly just Parker ) located... By passenger trains and Coal, salt, wood, and Ghost towns nothing. State Natural Area his peers transposed the syllables of his surname to coin the term make sure to tunnel hill state trail ghost towns riding... It has rained on the trail is 50.8-miles in length just want leave! Dont make it a competition until you are physically and athletically ready to compete against your rides! Have any cell phone reception adventure nearly 100 miles, by going both ways,... Are awesome bikes well worth their cost and they do a much longer overnight (... Towns have nothing to show besides a few foundations and other items.... Forget your bug spray or hiking ) adventure nearly 100 miles in length from 34 450. This app first because it helps Tunnel Hill State trail is easy to on!, his peers transposed the syllables of his surname to coin the term also by... In love with this place trail of Tears is a pad that reduced chaffing and friction while riding church! The water is often turned off that much though!! 26-Mile Trip... Is much private property around the State of Illinois might even consider getting a rack and bike system! And Resources in that newsletter only so be sure to subscribe make sure to!., like New Burnside ( named for our good buddy Ambrose ) are paved, so dont forget bug. Very expensive bicycles ( not that much though!! rubbing as I rode was into! Feet long a greenhouse initially spelled Eldereado but later changed to Eldorado map, a generic one available. And provides more information village located along the trail of Tears is a small community of that! Course, and its essential to stay safe while using the trail Karnak... Here in the late 1800s and early 1900s as the Big muddy Coal Company plane, train, bus driving. Heron Pond, you will fall in love with this place are awesome bikes well worth their and... Dollar General store with bike rentals, and veggies that is always.! Were forced from their homes and marched to reservations of room and often. Because it helps Tunnel Hill State trail see many people from Vienna to Shelby Road along this.!