Author: marklongmainstream (Page 134 of 174)

When its comes to beautiful scenery, very few parks in the Midwest can compare to Starved Rock State Park.  Whether you enjoy hiking along the nature trails or viewing the many spectacular overlooks along the Illinois River, recreational opportunities abound. Starved Rock State Park is located at 2668 E 875th Rd., in Oglesby, Illinois. For more information, click here.

This picture is owned by Tonya Boyd Photography

In 1966 Starved Rock State Park was named a National Historic Landmark, and now boosts more than 13 miles of well marked hiking trails, 18 canyons, and 14 different waterfalls!  There are also several scenic overlooks found throughout the park.  The best times to see waterfalls are in the spring when the snow and ice melt or after a heavy rainfall.

Tonya Boyd Photography

This beautiful park attracts over 2 million visitors a year and is consistently listed as the number 1 attraction in Illinois.

Tonya Boyd Photography

In the Midwest, oftentimes hiking is limited to the Spring, Summer and Fall, as the cold weather keeps most off the trails in the winter. At Starved Rock, winter hikes offer amazing views of frozen waterfalls, and the ice covered trees, resemble a winter wonderland.  There is also Ice climbing on the frozen waterfalls, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing.

Tonya Boyd Photography

From picnicking to fishing to boating, from horseback riding to camping to enjoying winter sports, there’s so much to do that you’ll want to come back again and again.

Tonya Boyd Photography

You will know it the minute you enter the park, as you wind your car through the towering trees.  Starved Rock State Park is a world apart from anything else in Illinois!

Tonya Boyd Photography

Don’t Miss:  While there are 14 different waterfalls at Starved Rock and they are all beautiful in there own way, 6 of them really stand out above the rest.  The falls found in St. Louis, French, Wildcat, Tonty, Ottawa, and Kaskaskia Canyons must be seen to be believed.

Starved Rock Illinois

Lodging:  The Starved Rock Lodge has two different lodging options,  a  rustic hotel room in the Lodge or a charming log cabin in the woods. The Lodge has a variety of rooms to choose from.  Ask about the pet-friendly cabins, two-room cabins or cabins with a fireplace! Relax and unwind in the indoor pool, hot tub and sauna!

Em Lackas

Pit Stop: The Back Door Lounge is a great place to fuel up before a hike or cool off with a locally brewed craft beer.

Tonya Boyd Photography

Extended Play:  For an added bonus, stop by nearby Matthiessen  State Park, and check out two more gorgeous waterfalls located just 3 miles south of Starved Rock State Park.

Matthisen State park

Logistics:  Starved Rock State Park is situated along the south bank of the Illinois River, less than 100 miles from Chicago, at 2668 E 875th Rd., Oglesby, IL 61348.

Travel Smart:  Before venturing into the woods, be sure to pack sunscreen, bugspray, and plenty of snacks and drinking water.

For more of the best parks and Amazing Locations in Illinois, click here. For nearby lodging, click here. For the best family activities, click here.

Pictures in this article were provided and are owned by Tonya Boyd Photography.

Santa Elena Canyon is the site of a kayaking trip in Big Bend which is unforgettable, where you can make your way through an awe-inspiring grotto of natural limestone tucked away in the mountains of far West Texas, like nothing you’ve ever seen before. To start planning your adventure, click here.

Santa Elena Canyon is also accessible by car on the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, which has helped to make it the most popular canyon in Big Bend.

Kayaking is the best way to experience the full wonder of Big Bend.  The Rio Grande river winds its way through the Santa Elena Canyon for 13 miles.

This picture is owned by Brad Gallagher

This float trip is a bucket list worthy adventure, that you will never forget!

Most of the trip is a leisurely paddle, but the Rock Slide section at the two mile point offers some stronger current

Big Bend River Tours is a local outfitter providing trips for those of all skill levels.  Trips range in length from one to three days.  Allowing adventure seekers to camp out in some extraordinary locations.

This picture is owned by Garrett Lueck

Along the kayak trail, you will pass unbelievable sights, including 1,500 foot high limestone bluffs.

For the best lodging and campground options in Texas, click here. For the best parks and Amazing Locations in the area, click here. For nearby family activities, click here.

Bell Smith Springs is one of the most beautiful recreation areas the Shawnee National Forest has to offer. The area features an abundance of strange and wonderful rock formations, such as Devil’s Backbone, Boulder Falls and a natural rock bridge. Hiking this system of trails is a favorite activity because of the rock features, scenic overlooks, hidden springs and lush flora and fauna. Bell Smith Springs is located at Bell Smith Springs Rd, in Ozark, Illinois. For more information, click here.

This picture is owned by Illinois Ozarks

There are 8 miles of interconnected Hiker-Only Trails.  The level of difficulty is rated moderate to difficult. To reach the canyon floor from the main trail, you must descend a stone stairway.

This picture is owned by TNT Photography

Bell Smith Springs, is made up of a series of clear rocky streams and scenic canyons bordered by high sandstone cliffs,  the recreation area offers 8 miles of picturesque trails and a variety of rock formations painted by blossoming Spring wildflowers.  The area has a wealth of natural beauty.

Discover Southern Illinois

One of the most captivating features is a set of stone stairs that lead to down to the creek bed.  These stairs were built in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Hiking with Shawn

During the summer months, the area is a popular swimming hole.  Another popular site is the Devil’s Backbone, named this because of the huge boulders that rise up out of the water, looking like vertebrae.  This is one of the deeper sections of Bay Creek and is filled with cool clean spring

U.S. Forest Service

Devil’s Backbone is so named because the huge boulders that rise up out of the water kind of look like vertebrae, if you tilt you head just right and use a little imagination. The pool is usually deep, and filled with cool clean spring water.

Richard Sitler

In springtime water in the creeks will be calf-high or more and deep pools exist along the creek any time of year!

Hiking with Shawn

– Use cautious when crossing creeks. Due to the remoteness of the canyon precautions should be taken: Carry water, food, first-aid kit, etc. Cell phones do not reach out of the canyon. Poison ivy & venomous snakes are present.

Charles Larry

For the best nearby family activities, click here. For more of the best parks and Amazing Locations in Illinois, click here. For nearby lodging and campgrounds, click here.

Do you love hiking, trekking, or just enjoying nature? Indiana has some pretty amazing places to hike, as well as some killer hiking trails. If you want to make sure you have an unforgettable experience while hiking this spring or summer, check out the 11 hiking trails open to the public at Turkey Run State Park.

Turkey Run State Park is a gorgeous treasure nestled within Marshall, Indiana. Turkey Run State Park is home to many historic sites, like the ravines that lead you to the stunning sandstone gorges, that are hundreds of millions of years old.

Turkey Run State Park has 11 gorgeous trails spread throughout the park, spanning around 14 miles in total. The trails are ranked at different levels so anyone can enjoy a great hike.

Trails 1 and 2 are slightly more advanced, with the three miles of Trail 1 being marked as “Moderate to Rugged” while the 1 mile of Trail 2 is seen as “Rugged”. If you’re up for the challenge of these two trails, you’ll experience some amazing moments with nature.

This picture is owned by Emily Monticue

Trail 3 is one of the hardest rails, clocking in at 1.7 miles and labeled as “Very Rugged”. However, Trail 3 is packed full of sites, such as the cliffs along Sugar Creek, the steep walls of Bear Hollow, and a ridge top over a series of ladders. The trail continues with the Punch Bowl (which was carved out by ancient glaciers), then along Rocky Hollow and past Wedge Rock, returning you to the suspension bridge.

Trails 4 and 5 range from moderate to rugged. Trail 4 is 2 miles and passes through the old coal mine, back to the Punch Bowl from Trail 3. Trail 5 is .7 miles and considered moderate, also meeting up with Trail 3.

Trails 6 and 7 are fairly short, yet range from moderate to rugged. Trail 6 forms a circle, beginning at the Turkey Run Inn, passing around Lieber Cabin, Turkey Run Hollow, and Overlook Cabin, and returning, to the Turkey Run Inn. Trail 7 begins at the campground and and descends into a canyon at one point. Trail 7 offers a gorgeous view of Sugar Creek and hemlock trees.

Trails 8 through 11 end our hiking journey. Trail 8 spans 1 and a half miles and is a fairly moderate hike. Trail 9, however, is extremely rugged, cutting through Falls Canyon and Boulder Canyon for 1 mile. Trail 10 is a moderate 1.4 mile hike that cuts through Crevice Rock, and the last trail, Trail 11, is an easy half mile trail, perfect for beginners.

With so many miles of trails, caverns, bridges, and fantastic historical sites, Turkey Run State Park is the ideal place to go for the best hiking trails the Midwest has to offer.

Turkey Run State Park is located at 8121 Park Rd, Marshall, IN 47859.

For more information, click here.

There is an incredible hotel located in Florida, that is unlike any other on Earth!

Located in the lagoon at Key Largo Undersea Park, Jules’ is the world’s only underwater hotel where scuba diving is the only way to get to your room. In addition to overnight stays in the Lodge, the Park offers a great SCUBA training location in its Lagoon, with a depth of up to 30′ in a protected setting. Individuals can get Open Water certified here, do a Discover SCUBA Diving course, or just dive around in the lagoon.

After you’re done with your SCUBA skills, or if you are already SCUBA certified, you can visit Jules’ Undersea Lodge for three hours or an overnight! Have lunch in the Lodge, do a three hour Mini Adventure, or sleep underwater!

The hotel is a dream come true for scuba divers and adventure enthusiasts, alike!

Over the years the hotel has had several distinguished guests including,  Aerosmith’s Steve Tyler, actor Tim Allen and former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau!

This once in a lifetime lodge is located in the lagoon at Key Largo Undersea Park, and is the world’s only underwater hotel.

The lodge was originally a research facility in the ’70s and finally opened as a hotel in 1986.

Jules’ Undersea Lodge is located in beautiful Key Largo, at 51 Shoreland Dr, Key Largo, FL 33037

For more information, click here.