Top 5 Family Friendly Activities in Jackson County, Illinois
Top 5 Family Friendly Activities Near Carbondale & Murphysboro, IL
Giant City Park/Lodge and Cabins and Stables
If you are a transplant to southern Illinois, a native or coming to visit—The Giant City State Park has a little bit for everyone. This is the perfect spot if you are looking for fun things to do near Carbondale, IL. Rent a cabin near the lodge and spend a in their pool and enjoy their famous family style fried chicken dinner! You can horseback ride, go for a hike and if there is a recent rain fall there is a high probability you will get to see the beautiful creeks and waterfalls. Even as a native to Southern Illinois I always enjoy a drive out to the lodge, a hike up the water tower and topping it off with fried chicken and strawberry shortcake. Fridays at the lodge is fried fish night and for $1 add on you can enjoy the traditional all you can eat friend chicken dinner WITH fried fish.
***head to the links above for each individual website** For similar content follow along HERE for all things Southern Illinois!
Giant City Lodge Cabins Pool Area
Photo: Savanna Kathleen Photography
Photo: Savanna Kathleen Photography
Poplar Camp Beach at Cedar Lake
This little hidden treasure is the perfect spot to take your kiddos for a summer day if you are local! If you are visiting Southern Illinois it is also the perfect spot to go for a summer day. Located just south of Carbondale off old 51 you can take a picnic and enjoy a beach as well as take a dip in cedar lake! Can’t make it to the beach in Florida? Look no further! Spend a day locally at the Cedar Lake Beach! Bring your lunch, towels, beach toys and $2.50 per person for entry! You can’t beat a beach day especially close to home. There are lifeguards on duty and a concession stand! Tap the link above for all details on Cedar Lake and the beach.
***image graciously provided by Lindsay Stockhecke***
Shawnee National Forrest
What can’t you do in Shawnee National Forrest??? We love taking our little ones to burn energy, explore the woods, hike around, gaze and play in waterfalls. There are always different levels! The link above has so many resources you are able to find your perfect spot and what would work best for your family! The hiking is free but hike at your own risk! I follow Hiking With Shawn on Instagram for all your MUST hike areas of southern Illinois. The crazy thing about Shawnee National Forrest is that it expands for MILES all across Southern Illinois!
Follow Hiking with Shawn on instagram for all things hiking in the Shawnee National Forrest.
Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour
Need an activity with your older kiddos?? Look no further! The Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour is known around Southern Illinois for the beautiful views and excitement! Did you think you had to travel somewhere tropical to zip line through the forest?!? HECK NO! You can do that right here in Southern Illinois! The canopy tours is $90 per person for a three hour tour but they do offer a 10% discount to groups of 8 or more! The age minimum is 8 years old and there are weight limits. Be sure to head to their website for VERY VERY specific directions!
Hiking the spillway at Kinkaid Lake
Need another activity to do who some older kiddos! THIS IS IT! If the conditions are right you can hike a water fall to the top and at the top it is the spillway for Kinkaid Lake. In this area you can swim in a little natural swimming pool! I always warn others you should be good stronger swimmers to hang out at the spillway! Bring water shoes to hike the waterfall and be prepared to slip! It is definitely an adventure. There are picnic tables at the bottom of the spillway to use for a picnic! Please be respectful of the area and dispose of all trash!
Photo: Savanna Kathleen Photography
Photo: Savanna Kathleen Photography
