Southern Illinois’ Parks and Trails

Whether you enjoy the beauty of nature, the challenge of the hike or just seeing new places, the Shawnee National Forest which makes its home in southern Illinois has a wide variety of parks and trails for hikers to explore.

Fort Massac State Park – Metropolis

Fort Massac, the first state park in Illinois is nestled in a corner of Metropolis, the home of Superman, along the banks of the Ohio River. The fort, a replica, has passed through the hands of four different cultures over the course of its lifetime. In addition to being the focal point of the park, it plays host living histories and reenactments throughout the year. Situated on 24 acres, the park has two trails for beginner level hikers and up. Designated as a Tree Identification Trail, the first is creates a 1-mile loop which starts and stops near the fort. Guide brochures are available in the visitors’ center for this trail. A longer trail, The Hickory Nut Trail, encompasses 2.5 miles of beautiful scenic river views.

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