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Visit Shawnee National Forest, Illinois

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In the Shawnee Hills of southern Illinois, 280,000-acre Shawnee National Forest extends from the Mississippi River eastward to the Ohio. In sharp contrast to the level croplands of central Illinois, this region is characterized by hills and valleys, timber-producing land, scenic vistas and such wildlife as deer, foxes, waterfowl, turkeys and quails. A network of public roads and trails interlaces the forest, providing access to campgrounds, wildlife areas and unusual rock formations.

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Residence Inn by Marriott

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Homewood Suites by Hilton Paducah

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Country Inn & Suites by Radisson

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Comfort Suites

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Home2 Suites by Hilton Carbondale

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Hampton Inn-Kuttawa

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Hampton Inn by Hilton-Marion

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Hampton Inn by Hilton

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Hampton Inn & Suites

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Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott

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DESTINATIONShawnee National Forest In the Shawnee Hills of southern Illinois, 280,000-acre Shawnee National Forest extends from the Mississippi River eastward to the Ohio. In sharp contrast to the level croplands of central Illinois, this region is characterized by hills and valleys, timber-producing land, scenic vistas and such wildlife as deer, foxes, waterfowl, turkeys and quails. A network of public roads and trails interlaces the forest, providing access to campgrounds, wildlife areas and unusual rock formations.
NATIONAL PARKAbraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park Three miles south of Hodgenville on US 31E and SR 61, Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park preserves the birthplace of the 16th U.S. president. Lincoln was born on Feb. 12, 1809, in a one-room log cabin at Sinking Spring Farm, where he lived for the first 2.5 years of his life.
NATIONAL PARKArkansas Post National Memorial On SR 169, 7 miles south of Gillett along the lower Arkansas River, the Arkansas Post National Memorial occupies 389 acres. Erected as a fort by the French in 1686, Arkansas Post was the first permanent European settlement in the lower Mississippi Valley. Ownership passed to Spain 1765-1800, then briefly reverted to France. With the Louisiana Purchase, the post became a frontier village.
NATIONAL PARKBig South Fork National River And Recreation Area Approached by SR 297, US 27, US 127 and SR 52, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area encompasses 125,000 acres on the Cumberland Plateau in northeastern Tennessee and southeastern Kentucky. Ninety miles of the Big South Fork River and its tributaries tumble through gorges carved over millions of years in the sandstone of the Cumberland Plateau. The area's eroded landscape—which contains scenic features such as natural arches, pinnacles, spires, sheer bluffs and huge sandstone overhangs—is said to have the most sandstone arches in the eastern United States.
NATIONAL PARKBrices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site Six miles west of Baldwyn on SR 370, 1-acre Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site is a memorial to the Civil War battle fought on June 10, 1864. An additional seven sites on 1,400 acres further interpret the battle. Despite superiority in numbers, Union troops under Gen. Samuel D. Sturgis were forced to retreat at the end of the all-day encounter. The Confederate force led by Gen. Nathan B. Forrest captured all Federal supplies, 18 pieces of artillery, arms and ammunition.
NATIONAL PARKBuffalo National River Reached via US 65 or SRs 7, 14 or 21 in northwestern Arkansas, Buffalo National River stretches through the rugged Ozark Mountains. While the Buffalo River courses 150 miles through the Ozarks, only its lower 135 miles and adjacent land are designated a national river. To protect the natural beauty of this area, Congress declared it a national river in 1972, thereby preserving it from development and population encroachment.
NATIONAL PARKCherokee National Forest In eastern Tennessee, Cherokee National Forest is divided into two sections by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
NATIONAL PARKChickamauga And Chattanooga National Military Park Chickamauga Battlefield grounds and monuments are open daily 6 a.m. to dusk. Visitor center open daily 8:30-5; closed Jan. 1 and Christmas. Free. Phone (706) 866-9241.
NATIONAL PARKCumberland Gap National Historical Park At the convergence of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park covers 24,000 acres of heavily forested, rugged mountains honoring the historic pass.
NATIONAL PARKDaniel Boone National Forest Daniel Boone National Forest runs along the Cumberland Plateau in the Appalachian foothills of eastern Kentucky. The forest encompasses more than 708,000 acres of mostly rugged terrain, including towering sandstone cliffs, steep forested ridges and narrow, low-lying ravines. Natural stone arches, waterfalls and caves are among the forest's exceptional geological features.
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