Metropolis, Illinois is a city located along the Ohio River in Massac County. The city was founded in 1839 near the site of Fort Massac. Today it has a population of around 6,500 residents and serves as the county seat of Massac County. In January of 1972 Metropolis, Illinois was authorized by D.C. Comics […]
On November 5, 1908, Fort Massac was officially declared Illinois’ first state park. Because of its extensive history, the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. In 1757, during the French and Indian War, the French built a fort on the site named Fort De L’Ascension. The fort was […]
We were near the town of Metropolis, Illinois and just had to visit the adopted “Home of Superman”. Fort Massac State Park just happens to have a great little campground right in the city. Reservations for the park can be made at ExploreMoreIL™. From October 1st to February 28th reservations are not accepted though. During […]
Tower Rock Campground is located in The Shawnee National Forest near Elizabethtown, Illinois. This is a free camping area run by the US Forest Service with a 14-day stay limit. Campsites are on a first come, first served basis. The campground is situated on the banks of the Ohio River and is prone to […]
While exploring Metropolis, Illinois we noticed multiple murals painted on the side of a number of buildings downtown. Apparently, six murals were initially painted on buildings along Ferry Street and Market Street. Each mural reveals a different story on the history of the city. Interpretive plaques are displayed beside each mural describing the historical […]
In January of 1972 Metropolis, Illinois was authorized by D.C. Comics to become the adopted “Home of Superman”. The city embraced this honor by holding an annual Superman Celebration, erecting the World’s Largest Superman Statue, and erecting a bronze statue of actress Noel Neill as Lois Lane in the city. Images of the man […]
The Observation Trail (trailhead: 37.60463, -88.38436) at the Garden Of The Gods can be found in the Shawnee National Forest of Illinois. This is a great hike for the whole family with hardly any elevation gain and it’s pet friendly so bring along your fur babies. Make sure your little ones and pets don’t get […]
The High Knob Trail is located in the Shawnee National Forest of Illinois. High Knob Lookout (37.60032, -88.32809) can be found at the end of Knob Hill Lane. To reach the trailhead you must drive through High Knob Campground. Drive past the red building and follow the road half a mile up the hill till […]
The Indian Point Trail is located in the Shawnee National Forest of Illinois next to the Garden of the Gods. The trailhead (37.59996, -88.38135) also serves as a backpacker’s parking lot and trailhead for the River to River Trail. This almost two-mile loop trail has around 190 feet of elevation gain and is pet […]
Hiking The Rim Rock National Recreation Trail And Ponds Hollow Lake Trail In Shawnee National Forest
The Rim Rock National Recreation Trail is part of the Pounds Hollow Ecological Area and is located in the Shawnee National Forest of Illinois. It is Illinois’ only National Recreation Trail. The trail is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and there is no overnight parking allowed at the trailhead (37.60072, -88.27733). […]