Pope: Canyon Landscapes, Forests and History

In Pope County, striking rock landscapes, waterways and history shape the travel experience. In Dixon Springs State Park, the main canyon rises with walls nearly 60 feet high. Cliffs, boulders and a stream add to the landscape; in rainy weather, rivulets form waterfalls.

Rock Landscapes, Forests and Waterways

The forest landscapes are also described as diverse. Big Grand Pierre Land and Water Reserve includes dry upland forest, dry-mesic upland forest, mesic upland forest and bottomland forest. Round Pond Nature Preserve offers a different type of landscape: its features include swampy, wooded lowlands and low clay and gravel hills. Bay Creek Wilderness and Burden Falls Wilderness are also in Pope County.

The waterways vary considerably in scale. Bay Creek Lake, also known as Millstone Lake, covers about 96 acres and is fed by Bay Creek. Smithland Pool is a 23,000-acre recreational area with tributaries of the Ohio River. In Golconda, Golconda Marina adds a boating option: it is a full-service marina with 206 slips.

Local History and Culture

Stone fortifications on Millstone Bluff were built by people of the Late Woodland culture between 600 and 900 AD. Golconda also offers a specific point of historical interest: much of the town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Historic Golconda Tour offers an audio tour of nearly 50 points of interest, on foot or by car.

Another part of the area’s history is connected with the Buel House. The house was continuously occupied by generations of one family for 146 years. The Pope County Historical Society Museum is housed in a former Watson hardware store dating to 1906. It is open seasonally from April through November on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Seasonal opening hours can change, so check the hours before your visit.

Hiking, Biking and Wine

Trail #049 follows a 3.25-mile out-and-back hike to the base of Jackson Falls. The Historic Golconda Tour offers a different focus: its audio tour passes nearly 50 points of interest and can be experienced on foot or by car. This contrasts a hike with a stated total distance with a town tour that offers several ways to get around. Golconda is also on the National Cross Country Bike Trail.

For a wine tasting, Hogg Hollow Winery is another stop in Golconda. It is the first winery in Pope County and offers a complimentary wine tasting there. Check the visitor offering before your visit, as its description may change. The different options—a hiking trail, a historic town tour, a bike route and a wine tasting—give you specific ideas for planning your trip around your own interests.

Discover more destinations: Golconda, Jackson, Jefferson, Union County, Grundy County, Pulaski County, Mclean County, Wabash County

For the regional travel overview: Illinois.