Shawnee National Forest: Illinois at its wildest

Chicago Tribune (MCT) - You leave the traditional corn and soybean fields behind when you venture this far south in Illinois, and before you know it you might think you're out West or in the bayous of Louisiana. This is an area blessed with a landscape of rocky hills that beg to be hiked and biked, and sloughs and swamps waiting to be explored by canoe or kayak. Add down-home cooking and a smattering of antiques and collectibles shops and you have the makings of a place to kick back and relax.

Location: Southern Illinois, about 350 miles south of Chicago's Loop, depending on areas visited.

Recommended for: Nature lovers, adventurers, families, singles.

When to go: Year-round, though winter's a good time to have it pretty much all to yourself, and the weather's generally mild.

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8 REASONS TO GO

1. Garden of the Gods

Located in the northeastern part of the nearly 300,000-acre Shawnee National Forest, this iconic area with its huge rock formations will have you asking, "Are we still in Illinois?" www.enjoyillinois.com/topspots/southern.aspx#gardengods

2. Shawnee Hills Wine Trail

Starting at Kite Hill Vineyards southwest of Carbondale and meandering south and east to its end at Blue Sky Vineyard near Anna, this route leads wine lovers to nine vineyards and wineries out to prove Napa isn't the only place to find quality wine. www.shawneewinetrail.com

3. Ohio River Scenic Byway

This drive, wandering roughly 190 miles from New Haven to Cairo, lives up to the word "scenic" in its name. Take it all in or explore bits and pieces. www.byways.org/explore/byways/2286

4. Cache River State Natural Area

Another area that'll have you asking, "Are we still in Illinois?" More than 14,000 acres populated with sloughs and swamps are a magnet for wildlife and a great place to lace up your hiking boots or paddle a pirogue.

5. Lock and Dam 51 Homes

The lockmasters who operated the locks in Golconda really lived in these pleasant houses on the banks of the Ohio River. You can, too, and it won't cost you an arm and a leg. (And you won't have to work on the locks either.) www.golcondalockmasterhomes.com

6. Tunnel Hill State Trail

The hilly, scenic back roads down here are good for lung-busting, thigh-burning bike roads, but for something more sedate, this 45-mile rails-to-trails route from Harrisburg to Karnak is hard to beat. And a spur will take you to #4 above.

7. Ghost Canyon, Dixon Spring State Park

It doesn't have the scale of its big brothers in Wyoming or Colorado or Utah, but this is a good one if you're feeling the need for a dose of rugged beauty.

8. Metropolis

"Look! Up in the Sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's ..." Yes, this is the home of the Man of Steel _ or so they say. The Super Museum, on Superman Square, is home to what they also say is the world's largest privately owned Superman collection. www.metropolistourism.com

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© 2008, Chicago Tribune.