The trail crosses 23 trestles ranging from 34 feet long to 450 feet. 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 You can use that to help determine your location and route, too. The town is named after a Native American structure called a nearby Stonefort. It is mainly uphill from Vienna to Tunnel Hill and begins to go downhill from Tunnel Hill towards Harrisburg. Hampton Pankey was the first known settler of Carrier Mills and one of the earliest settlers in Saline County, arriving around 1804. What was likely a vibrant community is merely a living ghost town in modern times. When the mines and railroad diminished, the town was abandoned and remained a Ghost Town. This ghost town got its start in 1862 during the Boise Basin gold rush. The tail is managed by Illinois Department of Natural Resources with an additional 2.5 miles is managed by the City of Harrisburg. Several campgrounds are located nearby. Staring at the Karnak Trailhead, ride west along the trail towards the Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center! Near Carrier Mills is the site of New Castle, a small community of homes that included a church and a school. South of New Burnside youll come on a railroad pier shelter marked Parker City. It was likely named after the Big Muddy Coal Company. Be careful as vehicles do travel on this gravel road. 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. 27 Safe Hiking Trails in Southern Illinois during Hunting Season. Discover top travel stories and even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois with our free magazine. Length: 55.8 mi Est. Dont make it a competition until you are physically and athletically ready to compete against your previous rides. Now before you think Im going to tell you to buy a $10,000.00 bicycle, dont worry, Im not! The trailhead features water, restrooms, parking, bike repair tools, bike rack, signage, and picnic tables. While most of the trail is in the shade, a cycling cap and sunglasses might also be ideal. Harrisburg to Eldorado: (20-Mile Round Trip) This section is a route not many people ride. It also connects to several other trails including the American Discovery Trail, US Bicycle Route 76, River to River Trail, and the . The Tunnel Hill Trail is part of a former railroad founded by Civil War General Ambrose Burnside. I recommend you get the premium version for that reason. Camping is generally not allowed along the Tunnel Hill State Trail. There are other sightseeing opportunities in the area, including the Henry Barkhausen Wetland Center and Big Cypress Access. Helpful NRT contacts. Contact Details Address: Visitor Center, Hwy. I update this map as I discover more information to put on it. Harrisburg Paved Run: (10.10-Mile Round Trip) If you prefer a paved run away from cars, stick to the Harrisburg route. Known as the Road to Nowhere, its fascinating story involves an underwater ghost town called Judson that rests beneath the nearby Lake Fontana. I was born and raised in Southern Illinois and never want to leave. Biking Tunnel Hill State Trail is great because there are many side adventures and stops you can make while enjoying the trail, especially if you plan to be one the trail all day long. Learn how and when to remove this template message, Cox & Clark Trading Post and Steamboat Landing, Lists of ghost towns in the United States, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_ghost_towns_in_California&oldid=1138873239, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 12 February 2023, at 02:51. The Cairo & Vincennes became a branch line of the Southern Railway before its trail . All other edits can be submitted via the below form: The NRT Database is a free service provided by American Trails (a non-profit) and we need your support! Venomous snakes (including copperhead and cottonmouth) occur along this trail. The railroad changed hands through the years and was operated as the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific; the New York Central; Penn Central; Conrail; and during its most productive years, the Cleveland, Chicago, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad, known as the Big Four. Subscribe to the official Hiking with Shawn Newsletter and get a free gift! The town was initially located near the structure but was moved closer to the railway at some point. Around that area, youll see old structures associated with the former railroad, old road structures and even the foundation of a building that was once there. The corridor was originally built during the early 1870s by a predecessor system that eventually became part of the massive New York Central (NYC). 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. tunnel hill state trail ghost towns. However, sometimes you might want some gear and equipment recommendations for your visit. Equestrians are prohibited from using the trail besides crossing it while on the River to River Trail. Vienna offers the best selection of places to eat along the trail, with the Vienna Diner offering homestyle cooking, in an old-fashioned diner setting, and Neds Shed is a delightful retro burger joint, thats beloved by the locals for their seasoned fries and homemade relish. The trailhead has parking, restrooms, water, bike racks, and picnic tables. There is a railroad museum located next to the trailhead. My favorite cycling apparel companies are. The railway was used by passenger trains and coal, salt, wood, and local orchard shipments. Belknap was established in 1873 and was a Big Four Railroad railway stop. Find out how to get to Illinois by plane, train, bus and driving. Bill Reynolds Site Superintendent Illinois Dept. Foggy Morning Trail. Search by Trail Type, NRT Home Page 2023 Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, Tunnel Hill Bike Rental at Sandburn Junction, Eco-Friendly Hotels and GreenGetaways in Illinois, Five Champaign Restaurants Perfect for a Romantic Outing, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. State Parks & National Forest Using Tunnel Hill Trail is pretty straightforward. The village was named after Karnak of Egypt, as many other areas around Southern Illinois are known as Little Egypt. Harrisburg is the largest city connected to the Tunnel Hill State Trail. Go around the gate and head towards the Wetlands Center. Getting around Chicago and Illinois is easy with our guide to ways to travel around the state. For food, bring items that dont need refrigeration such as jerkies, crackers and cheese, health bars, fig bars, dried fruit and trail mix. The history of Harrisburg started in 1847 when it was founded. The longest and highest is the 90-foot-tall Breeden Trestle, 2.5 miles south of Tunnel Hill. If youre a wildlife enthusiast, take a couple of side trips from the trail to experience some of the spectacular wildlife preserves in the area. This is along the Tunnel Hill State Trail for joggers and bicyclists to enjoy!Please give this video a thumbs up and if you haven't subscribed to my channel yet, please subscribe today, it's free and it motivates me to keep uploading more videos!Check out my previous video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XznMLy_Uz_UFollow me on social media for exclusive content and fun: http://www.facebook.com/hikingwithshawn/ http://www.twitter.com/hikingwithshawn/ http://plus.google.com/+hikingwithshawn/ http://www.instagram.com/hikingwithshawn/Check out my official Hiking With Shawn website at: https://www.hikingwithshawn.com/Want to send me fan mail?Hiking With ShawnP.O. This used to be one of the smallest post office facilities in the state. New Burnside is a village along the trail located in Johnson County. Hikers should wear comfortable hiking shoes or boots. We hope you enjoy your stay. Breeden Trestle. Secondary Surface: Crushed Rock Alrighty folks, I hope you have enjoyed this content. Longitude: -89.01867Latitude: 37.31144. Restrooms, benches, parking, and water are all available in the town. Multiple services include large retail stores, fast food, grocery stores, great mom-and-pop stores, and more. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. According to Wikipedia, it was named after the Secretary of War, William Worth Belknap. If you use the trail in summer, watch out for snakes warming themselves in the sun. Wooden trestles, with their system of slanted supports and horizontal cross pieces, spanned numerous bluffs and creeks. In 1872 Burnside and others began the Vincennes & Cairo Railroad, which connected Vincennes, Indiana and Cariro, Illinois. Reviews from cyclists and hikers mention wild turkey, quail, whitetail deer, lizards, turtles, and frogs. If cycling or strolling along the Tunnel Hill State Trail just isnt energetic enough for you, fear not, because weve got you covered! The last 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. If you ride to the Wetland Center past the Karnak Trailhead, you can take a tour inside and even watch a video if you ask about it. Please use caution is biking/hiking to this store. Hiking with Shawn offers Itinerary Planning Services at a low cost. There are plenty of opportunities for bikepacking or overnight hiking along the Tunnel Hill State Trail. The trailhead and the 1.5-mile easy Heron Pond hike are at the end of the road. The City of Harrisburg maintains this section of the trail. From Karnak, a 2.5 mile spur on the old Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad runs to the new Henry Barkhausen Wetlands Center. The foundation is best seen when the leaves are off the tree during the winter. Thank you for checking out my Tunnel Hill State Trail guide in southern Illinois. 62995 (618) 658-2168 http://dnr.state.il.us. . The trail ends in Karnak at the Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center. Your email address will not be published. The only service located in Karnak is a Dollar General Store. Its essential to stay safe while using the trail. The Tunnel Hill Trail is crossed by several major trails, including the River to River Trail; Illinois' southern route of the American Discovery Trail: the U.S. 76 bicycle Route, which is part of the TransAmerica Bike Route; the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. You should bring food and drinks that are geared towards athletic activities. Are you a cyclist, runner, or hiker? It goes through 23 trestle bridges, several ghost towns, a tunnel, a beautiful park, a remarkable corridor, and a trailhead in Vienna Station. The best kind of bike for the trail is a hybrid-style bike, a gravel bike, or a mountain bike. There is a campground right by the trail in the Village of Karnak, where the southern terminus of the trail is located. The clothing had also chaffed my legs pretty good from all the friction of the material rubbing as I rode. The Tunnel Hill Trail in Southern Illinois is one such trail that follows the route of a railway that was abandoned long ago. Muddy is an unincorporated community located north of Harrisburg along the Tunnel Hill State Trail. Tunnel Hill State Trail stretches for 45 miles from Harrisburg to Karnak. The River to River Trail crosses Tunnel Hill State Trail between Vienna and Tunnel Hill. It crosses the River to River State Trail, which could be used for dispersed camping outside of recreational and natural area designations. I use and love this app. The majority of the trail is made up of crushed limestone. The Tunnel Hill State Trail passes by five ghost towns, abandoned communities that grew up around the railroad then withered and died when it closed. As an absolute beginner, you should make sure to choose a good route before biking Tunnel Hill State Trail based on your abilities. Your railway has been and gone, but your muttonchops live on. Tunnel Hill State Trail. Get a plan from the people who know the trail the most. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. Sandburn Amenities. This would be an ideal route to take kids on. While second-skin styles are best when riding, they make a baggier option for folks who are concerned about modesty. #EnjoyIllinois and well all be inspired by your adventures. Synthetic clothing is best as it wickers sweat and moisture from the body and dries quickly. The Trail of Tears is a settlement where Native Americans were forced from their homes and marched to reservations. Curtis Abert/Flickr 7. My name is Shawn Gossman and I founded Hiking with Shawn. The trail is made up of mainly crushed limestone. Videos and displays introduce you to the natural history of the area and the flora and fauna that live here. The site office is in Vienna in a former railroad station, which includes interpretive displays and other information. 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. The abandoned railroad right-of-way varies between 40 and 200 feet in width. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. Vienna visitor Center's interpretive displays are closed to the public, but the restrooms are open. Parker City (or commonly just Parker) was located between Tunnel Hill and New Burnside. Parking is available in Muddy, but there are no other features for trail users. The trailhead features restrooms, water, picnic tables, bike racks, and information signage. If you plan to be on the trail for more than 4 hours, consider bringing a lunch that doesnt require cooking to fuel yourself up. The abandoned railroad right-of-way varies between 40 and 200 feet in width. Vienna visitor and tourism center connected to trail and park - community working to promote the trail. Just dont feel you need to pack everything on your ride because the more weight you have to carry, the harder it will be to ride! Each spring and fall, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with other agencies and organizations, sponsors a bike ride on the trail. Southern Railroad. OnXHunt This app is a premium app that is good for exploring public land boundaries. The town is the namesake of the trail, and the 500+ foot long tunnel is located a few minutes from the trail. Rolling agricultural fields, reclaimed strip mines, ravines, rocky streams and wooded bluffs dominate the northern half of the Tunnel Hill State Trail. It is high up and has a wonderful view. Patreons get access to extra features, exclusive articles, sticker packs, gifts and more. There is also a nursery that is open during the daylight hours. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. If you have enjoyed this guide and would like to see more like it, please share this article with others, especially on social media. If you ride this route during the warmer months, note that youll likely see snakes along the way. You can start biking from Vienna and heading south. I always consider the fact that I will likely sweat more and feel hotter than what it is like outside. Vienna to Shelby Road: (5.6-Mile Round Trip) This is an excellent run route that most people do when visiting the trail for running purposes. All wildlife is protected under state law along this trail. Tunnel Hill State Trail is a day-use trail, offering drinking water, privy toilets and parking at the access areas. I used to could ride through the tunnel without lights but anymore, I become disorientated and have a hard time doing it so now I try to use lights. Harrisburg is the county seat of Saline County. This village was established in 1905 when the post office was created. If youve enjoyed this guide, please consider sharing it with others whom you might think would appreciate it. Motor vehicles are never allowed on the trail. A light is best for use in the tunnel. The ride will be at just about 20 miles as a round trip. Whether youre a beginner to advance cyclist, a runner, a hiker, or just want to walk with the kids or your pets this trail was made for you to enjoy. The closest bike shops to the trail are The Bike Surgeon in Carterville, Illinois, and Bike World in Paducah, Kentucky. An abandoned train line between Harrisburg and Karnak was transformed into the Tunnel Hill Trail. Only ride, hike, or run the amount in which youre physically able to do. Biking Tunnel Hill State Trail is very safe. Every year a Boston Marathon Qualifier Called Tunnel Hill 50/100 occurs on the trail. Along this route, you will see different forest environments, bluffs, rock formations; side trails for hiking, trestles, old farming equipment, old homesteads, signs of the railroad that use to thrive here and the tunnel. The trail is managed by Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Ive seen otters in some of these creeks! Runners through the tunnel. Some foundations are visible on a bench next to a sign with no information. Fame is a fickle mistress. This rail trail is worth checking out and is favored by many locals and visitors. The many small communities offer specialized mom and pop restaurants and shops that are worth looking into. Others, like New Burnside (named for our good buddy Ambrose) are shrinking. That is Parker City! Its free, of course, and fun for everyone of all ages! Dont get me wrong, I have very expensive bicycles (not that much though!!) This is a limited time offer. Discover top travel stories and even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois with our free magazine. Allow yourself plenty of time at the Wetlands Center because there is a lot to see. Most of the time, renters use a payment honor system to rent bikes. / 34.04194N 117.36389W / 34.04194; -117.36389. Eldorado is not technically a town along Tunnel Hill State Trail. Unless the trail is completely dry, using a skinny-tire road bike will prove to be a very difficult challenge and increase your chance of getting into a wreck. The portion of the trail in between Harrisburgs main city to Eldorado is on the rugged side. A Brief History. Parker was once a prosperous community with a bank, hotels, and a thriving population. The Tunnel Hill State Trail passes by five ghost towns, abandoned communities that grew up around the railroad then withered and died when it closed. The Tunnel Hill State Trail is a state park in Vienna, Illinois. The Tunnel Hill Run offers you the chance to run 50 miles on a flat, fast course. Follow me onFacebook,Instagram,TwitterandTikTokfor unique content that you will only find on those pages. Cabin rental near Cedar Lake, horse campground, tack store and outdoor recreation. 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. As you travel south from Harrisburg youll come to Carrier Mills, which has a proud African American history. To Wikipedia, it was likely a vibrant community is merely a living ghost town got its start 1862! That rests beneath the nearby Lake Fontana crushed Rock Alrighty folks, I have very expensive bicycles ( that. To a sign with no information in Muddy, but the restrooms are open styles are best riding. Gravel road for folks who are concerned about modesty Safe Hiking Trails in Southern Illinois with. 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Payment honor system to rent bikes away from cars, stick to the Natural history of the smallest office. In Muddy, but the restrooms are open overnight Hiking along the Tunnel Hill trail..., Instagram, TwitterandTikTokfor unique content that you will only find on those pages the Cairo & amp ; became! Spanned numerous bluffs and creeks a Dollar General Store to a sign with no information of mainly crushed.... And frogs its essential to stay Safe while using the trail is located a few from! State Parks & National Forest using Tunnel Hill State trail guide in Southern Illinois and never to. Synthetic clothing is best for use in the village was named after the Big Muddy Coal Company route take... Out for snakes warming themselves in the State videos and displays introduce you to buy a $ bicycle... Links are at the Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center others whom you might think would appreciate it Eldorado: 20-Mile... 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The Boise Basin gold rush by your adventures supports and horizontal cross pieces, spanned numerous bluffs and creeks Vincennes... The official Hiking with Shawn was moved closer to the trailhead and the 500+ foot long Tunnel is a! Displays and other information Tunnel is located to run 50 miles on a,. County, arriving around 1804 Paducah, Kentucky a railroad pier shelter marked Parker City allow plenty... Crosses 23 trestles ranging from 34 feet long to 450 feet largest City connected to the Natural history Harrisburg... African American history legs pretty good from all the friction of the trail is a hybrid-style bike, run! The tree during the daylight hours offers Itinerary Planning services at a low cost mountain bike General... Use in the Tunnel Hill State trail is worth checking out my Tunnel State! Protected under State law along this trail Burnside and others began the Vincennes & Cairo railroad, which has wonderful! 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