Long-distance rail-trail featuring a historic railroad tunnel, scenic forest landscapes, wetlands, and some of the most diverse natural areas in southern Illinois.
Vienna, IL (13 mi)
Harrisburg, IL (28 mi)
Spring wildflowers and fall foliage are especially popular
How to Get There
From Marion (12 mi): Take IL-13 east toward Vienna, connect to U.S. Route 45 south, and follow signs to one of the trail access points and parking areas serving Tunnel Hill State Trail.
Overview
Tunnel Hill State Trail is one of the Midwest's premier rail-trails, stretching for approximately 45 miles through the forests, wetlands, and farmland of southern Illinois. Built along a former railroad corridor, the trail passes through landscapes that showcase the natural beauty and ecological diversity of the Shawnee region. Cyclists, hikers, runners, and horseback riders travel the route to experience quiet woodlands, scenic trestles, restored depots, and wide-open rural vistas. The trail's gentle grade makes it accessible to visitors of varying abilities while still providing an immersive outdoor adventure.
The trail takes its name from the historic Tunnel Hill railroad tunnel near the community of Tunnel Hill, one of the longest abandoned railroad tunnels in Illinois. Along the route, visitors encounter impressive engineering features, including lengthy bridges that span creeks, wetlands, and former railroad crossings. Interpretive signs highlight the area's transportation history as well as the natural habitats that support birds, wildlife, and native plant communities. Whether explored for a few miles or traversed end-to-end, Tunnel Hill State Trail offers a memorable journey through the cultural and natural heritage of southern Illinois.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official Illinois Department of Natural Resources pages for the https://dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.tunnelhill.htmlTunnel Hill State Trail, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.