Ullin: Swampland, Trails, and Paddling

Ullin offers a range of nature and cultural themes to help you plan a trip. The Lower Cache River Swamps span a broad, flat floodplain between Karnak and Ullin. Described options include a walking trail at Shawnee Community College, a hike to a swamp with cypress and tupelo trees, and canoe routes in the region. Differences in destinations, modes of travel, and route lengths can help you decide what to focus on during your trip.

Walking Trail and Swamp Trail

The walking trail at Shawnee Community College in Ullin is one mile long. Three-quarters of the trail is paved, and one-quarter is gravel. The length and surface details give you two concrete points to consider when planning this walk. This trail is distinct from the Lower Cache River Swamp Trail, which is 2.5 miles long and takes hikers to a swamp with cypress and tupelo trees. Flooding can affect the trail’s year-round accessibility. Check whether it is accessible before your visit.

Canoe Routes in the Bottomland Swamp

For a canoe trip, Cache Bayou Outfitters lists a 4.6-mile loop through the Bottomland Swamp. It ends at the main office at 240 Dean Lane, Ullin, Illinois. Since route details may change, it is a good idea to check them before your trip. At the Lower Cache River, visitors can paddle six miles of canoe routes through rivers, swamps, and ponds in the area known as the Bottomland Swamp. The distance figures refer to different descriptions: the 4.6 miles are for the loop with the specified endpoint, while the six miles are for the canoe routes at the Lower Cache River. This distinction helps you tell the two options apart when planning an outing.

Other Nature Experiences in the Region

Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge offers opportunities for fishing, hunting, environmental education and interpretation, boating, and wildlife and birdwatching. These activities offer different kinds of experiences: alongside time on the water, the listed options include observation and environmental education. Together with the swamp trail and canoe routes, they offer a range of ways to enjoy nature as you plan your trip, with activities that do not all share the same destination or type of route.

Culture and Getting There

The Illinois Central Railroad Depot is located at the intersection of Central Avenue and Ullin Avenue. An inventory updated in June 2022 lists the depot as having been included in the National Register since 1999. Cache River Days 2023 was announced as an annual festival in Ullin. These two cultural points of interest have different time references: the depot’s listing is described as dating from 1999, while the festival was announced in 2023.

The Shawnee Community College campus in Ullin is accessible from the west via Interstate 57, from the north via State Route 37, and from the east via State Route 45 and Route 169. These directions are for the campus and can help you find your way if you plan to visit the walking trail there. If you are considering Ullin as a place to stay, you can first think about whether the walk at the college, a hike, or paddling will shape your stay. The destinations described differ in location, activity, and route distance, giving you specific points to consider as you plan your trip.

For the broader travel overview: Pulaski County.