Williamson County: Nature, Culture and Trails

In Williamson County, nature experiences around Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge meet museums, performing arts and local events. To plan your trip, it helps to first choose the themes you want to shape your stay: trails and water, local history or an event date.

Nature and Trails at Crab Orchard

Parts of Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge are located in Williamson County. The refuge covers 44,000 acres and stretches around Crab Orchard Lake. All refuge visitors need an entry pass; fees and rules may change. Check the latest notices before your visit. Activities in the refuge include hiking, boating, canoeing and kayaking.

Blue Heron Marina & Campground is located on Crab Orchard Lake in Carterville. Its facilities include docks with 137 slips and a boat launch. The docks and boat launch make the marina a specific point of reference for water activities on Crab Orchard Lake.

The trails in the refuge differ considerably in length and character. Open year-round, the 2.2-mile Rocky Bluff Trail is a loop with waterfalls and sandstone cliffs; spring wildflower hikes are among the experiences here. By contrast, the Bogard Point Trail on the north shore is an easy 0.2-mile loop. Its paved surface is suitable for strollers, wheelchairs and mobility aids. Trail conditions may change; check them before your hike. The stated length and trail surface can help you decide which loop best fits your plans.

The Crab Orchard Greenway is also worth noting when getting your bearings in the region, although it is still under development. The regional multi-use trail runs along the Route 13 corridor and is intended to connect Carbondale, Carterville, Crainville, Herrin and Marion. Treat it as a planned connection, not a completed route. As for major road connections, Williamson County is located at the junction of Interstates 24 and 57 and Illinois Route 13.

Culture and History in Marion and Carterville

Located on Marion’s historic Town Square, the Marion Cultural and Civic Center is a 1,094-seat performing arts venue. The 33,000-square-foot facility hosts concerts and theater performances, with an average of more than 200 events per year. As the program may change, check the schedule if a performance is the reason for your trip.

The Williamson County Historical Museum is located in Marion in the former county jail. Its 17 exhibit rooms include a historic classroom. The Williamson County Historical Society’s library offers a different way to explore local history, providing public access to more than 750,000 indexed references to people and places. For anyone especially interested in names and local history, this offers a research option alongside a traditional museum visit; the collection may change over time.

In Carterville, the Carterville Heritage Museum is housed in a renovated former school building dating from 1924. Photographs and memorabilia offer a glimpse into local history. The region also has established arts organizations: founded in 1995, the Little Egypt Arts Association is a nonprofit artists’ cooperative. The Little Egypt Arts Centre offers ongoing classes in subjects including oil and acrylic painting, watercolor, photography, textile arts, sewing and quilting. The class offerings may change.

Events, Sports and Regional Flavors

If you want to plan your trip around an event, two recurring events can help guide your plans. The Williamson County Fairgrounds has been home to the Williamson County Fair since 1857; dates vary each year. Southern Illinois Hunting and Fishing Days takes place at John A. Logan Community College in Carterville. Check the dates of each event in advance before planning your trip around it.

Golf enthusiasts can play the semi-private, 18-hole, par-70 course at Crab Orchard Golf Club in Carterville. Water comes into play on nine holes. The course adds a sporting option to the area’s nature and cultural offerings.

Regional specialties are also among the things to discover. In downtown Marion, Milkweed Provisions offers wine, cheese, meat and chocolate, and holds classes on hosting and food-and-wine pairings. Its selection and class offerings may change. Walker’s Bluff Winery includes vineyards, a tasting room and a wine cellar.

When choosing where to stay, use your planned activities as a starting point: the refuge brings together hiking and water activities, while Marion and Carterville offer their own cultural, museum and event destinations. First decide which of these will shape your stay, and check current dates for events.

Discover More Destinations

Marion, Carterville, Livingston County, Mason County, Montgomery County, Dekalb, Adams, Tazewell County.

For the main travel overview: Illinois.