Hikers and horseback riders may cross the trail. In the 1990s, the railway diminished in operation and was handed over to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which turned it into a rail trail. If you add the Wetland Center branch, the length is 53.6-miles. Harrisburg to Stonefort: (26-Mile Round Trip) This is a pretty route to ride. The Tunnel Hill State Trail, which was begun by General Ambrose Burnside in the late 1800s, is a Civil War-era relic. 10 miles north of Tunnel Hill is little Stonefort, and right next to the trail is the Stonefort Depot Museum, with a wealth of information on local history and a large collection of old photographs and maps. You might also join mySouthern Illinois Hiking & Outdoor Resources Groupon Facebook, too! For the most part, the trail is easy to ride. Find out what's on in Illinois and Chicago with your guide to events, festivals, markets, music, theater, sports and more. Your railway has been and gone, but your muttonchops live on. The bathrooms here are usually locked, and the water is often turned off. Tunnel Hill State Trail is a 50+ mile rail trail in Southern Illinois. Carrier Mills has a few services, including a gas station, a grocery store, and a Dollar Store. The trail goes through many ghost towns such as Forman, Bender, Rago, Parker City and New Castle. Bring plenty of water with you while using the trail. Please watch for and yield to all wildlife using the trail. Deer and other wildlife are common along the trail. Now before you think Im going to tell you to buy a $10,000.00 bicycle, dont worry, Im not! The trail is relatively easy to use for most people. The last Harrisburg to Karnak (Long Trip): (90-Mile Round Trip) Please call the City of Harrisburg to gain permission for overnight parking. The Forman Depot was moved to Vienna City Park and now serves as the Vienna Visitor Center. There is a small parking lot for the trailhead. The Tunnel Hill Trail is part of a former railroad founded by Civil War General Ambrose Burnside. For questions, suggestions, and corrections to information listed on the website, contact American Trails. A well maintained and interesting area. It is a day-use facility, offering drinking water, privy toilets, and parking in access areas. Youll also pass several abandoned ghost towns, that lost their lifeblood after the trains stopped running. These are some of the applications Ive used and recommend you to use, too. 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. Dont block the trail move over if someone else is coming at you or needs to pass. Biking Toward the close of the Civil War, Illinois became the first state to ratify theThirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which abolished slavery nationally. I like to ride it when I want a long bike ride exercise trip. Stop at all stop signs and intersections. Actions by nature can result in closed roads and other facilities. The privately owned Shawnee Forest Campground is located near the trail in Vienna. Start at Tunnel Hill Trailhead and head north (away from the tunnel)! Required fields are marked *. Belknap is a small village located along the trail. The trail supposedly is closed during night time hours but a good bike light should be installed on the bike in case you are on the trail in the dark as there are very little lights along the trail and at intersections with roads. The longest, Breeden Trestle, is also the highest at 90 feet. Based on your abilities and current health condition, decide on a route that will keep you happy and dont worry about trying to challenge yourself with the most miles possible. If youre overweight and out of shape and ride a longer route, it could end being very uncomfortable and not fun at all for you. The trailhead and the 1.5-mile easy Heron Pond hike are at the end of the road. Motorized vehicles, horses and hunting are not allowed on the trail. 23 trestle bridges along the trail provide great spots to stop for a break and enjoy the panoramic views out over the countryside. Ive previously created a guide for biking the trail as a beginner in case youre interested in that information. Douglas/Glenrock, Wyoming Then Tunnel Hill State Trail is a spectacular route for you. Event on the incredibly scenic Tunnel Hill Trail. Visit the Vienna Visitor Center (Foreman Depot) next to the park and trailhead for more information on these services. All Trails is trusted and, for the most part, reasonably accurate. Weve struggled to find information about the old communities of Bender and Rago, so if you have any stories to share wed love to hear from you. There are some spots where gravel has been used to repair erosion. 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. Water boil orders or maintenance may restrict their use. Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad, known as the Big Four. What kind of weather is most comfortable for you to be outside in? Vienna to Karnak (Short Trip): (21-Mile Round Trip) Please call the City of Vienna to gain permission for overnight parking. Required fields are marked *. The railway transported coal and locally grown fruit from orchards around the area. Ive seen otters in some of these creeks! The ride to the trestle is downhill, but the grade isnt too strenuous. Counties: Saline, Williamson, Johnson, Pulaski Share 'Tunnel Hill State Trail' Rolling agricultural fields, reclaimed strip mines, ravines, rocky streams and wooded bluffs dominate the northern half of the Tunnel Hill State Trail. If you want to use a mountain bike, I think you would be fine using one when biking Tunnel Hill State Trail. Make sure you yield before crossing. Several campgrounds are located nearby. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. Lets examine some of the trails most common questions and answers. Ill do it more than once, myself. The best type of bicycle to ride on Tunnel Hill State Trail is a hybrid-style bike or a gravel bike. Some, like Bloomfield, Sanburn, and Ledford, are barely more than hamlets. Before setting out to ride the trail, consider the riding conditions of the trail for the day you plan to be biking Tunnel Hill State Trail. Join the trail in downtown Harrisburg and roll south to Karnak, through farmland, forests and wetlands. The trailhead features water, restrooms, parking, bike repair tools, bike rack, signage, and picnic tables. Venomous snakes (including copperhead and cottonmouth) occur along this trail. I have no issues with this other than the bike being heavier than other types of bikes. The railroad changed hands through the years and was operated as the 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. A 543-foot long tunnel gave the nearby town its name, and now the trail. The clothing had also chaffed my legs pretty good from all the friction of the material rubbing as I rode. Pack a couple of water bottles and consider a hydration backpack to carry extra water, snacks and stuff like that. Karnak to Cache River Wetlands Center (5.5 Mile Round Trip): This is a fairly riding route, there and back with plenty to see along the way. The trail runs for 45 miles from Feazel Street in Harrisburg to Karmak in southern Illinois. The trailhead offers parking, restrooms, picnic tables and benches, water, and information signage. Bicycling (on pavement)CampingDogs - On leashPedestrian - Walking/Hiking/RunningRoller/Inline Skating, Location: Counties of Saline, Williamson, Johnson, and Pulaski Mountain bikes could also be used as well as larger tire eBikes. Below is a recent video that we filmed while enjoying this area. Hampton Pankey was the first known settler of Carrier Mills and one of the earliest settlers in Saline County, arriving around 1804. Im unsure if theyve officially designated them as a rail trail system, but if not, they should because, legally, they can be a rail trail system. But I enjoyed this route myself. Its free, of course, and fun for everyone of all ages! There is a railroad museum located next to the trailhead. 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. The Milky Way featured alongside the 450-foot Breeden Trestle. No purchase required. The Tunnel Hill State Trail connects a number of communities, hamlets, and ghost towns. Parking is available in Muddy, but there are no other features for trail users. Once youre at the lane, take a right and ride to the end. Muddy is an unincorporated community located north of Harrisburg along the Tunnel Hill State Trail. The Tunnel Hill Trail is part of a former railroad founded by Civil War General Ambrose Burnside. In the late 1800s, the railway was established by Civil War General Ambrose Burnside. The trail crosses 23 trestles ranging from 34 feet long to 450 feet. There are many benches along this route to stop at and rest as well. The Tunnel Hill Trail in Southern Illinois is one such trail that follows the route of a railway that was abandoned long ago. You will get tunnel vision in most cases. Message us on Facebook with your tales or photos of exploring the ghost town of the Tunnel Hill State Trail. Most of the time, renters use a payment honor system to rent bikes. Biking is fun and makes you feel like a kid again but its still exercise. Width: 120 inches. Are you a cyclist, runner, or hiker? This is a limited time offer. As the most popular route, youll likely encounter other cyclists, runners, and walkers while you ride. Cyclists should bring plenty of water and snacks. The Tunnel Hill State Trail only exists because of the rise and fall of Americas mighty 19th-century railroad network. Elevation Gain (cumulative): Not Available Length: 55.8 mi Est. All; Albums; Appearances; Awards; In Performance; Press; Uncategorized You can use that to help determine your location and route, too. I feel that supporting this organization is effectively supporting rail trails. described as ghost townsForman, Bender, Rago, Parker City and New Castle. Using the trail during daylight hours is highly recommended. It features several historic sites and its own Boot Hill Cemetery. Share the trail with other users. This village was established in 1905 when the post office was created. However, I am tall and a bigger bike fits me better. 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. So, I would mainly use this to explore state and federal public land off the trail. The bikes are hybrid-style, and most have reflectors and baskets. tunnel hill state trail ghost towns. Subscribe now (for a limited time only) and get my free 70+ page35 Hiking Trails of Southern Illinois Guide. The town gave relief efforts during the Flood of 1937. It is a day-use facility, offering drinking water, privy toilets, and parring in access areas. Find out how to get to Illinois by plane, train, bus and driving. You can also stop by Sandburn Junction for treats, bike rentals, and a greenhouse. If you ride this route during the warmer months, note that youll likely see snakes along the way. There are quite a few towns along the trail. The tail is managed by Illinois Department of Natural Resources with an additional 2.5 miles is managed by the City of Harrisburg. Follow me onFacebook,Instagram,TwitterandTikTokfor unique content that you will only find on those pages. About halfway between Vienna and Karnak look to your right to see if you can see the ghost town of Forman. / 34.04194N 117.36389W / 34.04194; -117.36389. If you have enjoyed this guide and would like to see more like it, please share this article with others, especially on social media. You should also consider slippery conditions as well. There are many different applications available for smartphones on this trail. The type of bike to use is very important when biking Tunnel Hill State Trail. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. 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. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. Whether you split the trip up over a couple days or do it in one, you have to do the entirety of the trail. Along the way, enjoy forests and bluffs and scenic environments. The majority of the trail is made up of crushed limestone. Heron Pond, Little Black Slough, Boss Island and Wildcat Bluff, Hiking with Shawns Trail Guide Series: Heron Pond | Hiking With Shawn, Ultimate Trail Guide: Bell Smith Springs Recreation Area | Hiking With Shawn, Hiking with Shawns Trail Guide Series: High Knob Area | Hiking With Shawn. Tunnel Hill State Trail - Vienna City Park Bridge (Johnson County, Illinois) Built 1906 by the King Bridge Co. Pony plate girder bridge on the Tunnel Hill State Trail . The trail was completed in the fall of 2001. Breeden Trestle Structure. 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. 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