10 Hikes to See Scenic Overlooks in Southern Illinois

Are you searching for scenic overlooks in Southern Illinois?

Well, look no further. I’ve been all over Southern Illinois again and again searching for the best scenic overlooks. I’m always looking at topo maps and seeing where a possible location of one is.

In this guide, I’ll share some of my favorite scenic overlooks in Southern Illinois so that you can go witness the awe that the Shawnee National Forest and our state parks have to offer.

Be Careful Around Scenic Overlooks in Southern Illinois

It’s dire that you practice the utmost extreme amount of safety when visiting scenic overlooks in Southern Illinois.

You know why this is so important? Because 99% of any fatality that happens in a hiking area around here is due to people falling from cliffs and bluffs. That’s why you need to be extra careful when you’re on top of these things.

Wear sturdy footwear with some grip. Be careful when the top is wet from rain, snow, and ice. The top can even be slick when dry due to dust or leaf buildup on the surface.

Be safe and come back in one piece so that I can see your awesome photos of scenic overlooks in Southern Illinois.

Check Out these Scenic Overlooks in Southern Illinois

Here are 10 of my favorite scenic overlooks in Southern Illinois, with all the information you need to go check them out.

1: Chalk Bluff Overlook

Chalk Bluff Overlook is a part of Little Grand Canyon near Pomona, Illinois.

It features a very scenic view of the Big Muddy River bottoms. You can see the river, a beautiful forest-covered bluff, and even Fountain Bluff off in the distance.

This hike is moderate only because of the rolling hills it takes to get to the overlook and back to the trailhead, but there are no creek crossings, and you don’t have to do the harder parts of the Little Grand Canyon trail.

This Google Maps Link will get you to the parking area. Take the trail closest to the restroom to easily get to the overlook in about a mile of hiking. The overlook is at these coordinates: 37°41’10.2″N 89°24’23.5″W

Check out my Little Grand Canyon Trail Guide for more information, better directions, and stuff to do when in that area.

2: Inspiration Point

Inspiration Point Overlook is a part of LaRue Pine Hills near Wolf Lake, Illinois.

This scenic overlook features a very high point on top of the bluffs that sit along Snake Road in the Shawnee National Forest. You’ll see Snake Road on your left, Muddy Levee Road in the center, and the Big Muddy River on your right.

This overlook is easy to get to and less than a eight of a mile from the parking area. However, it’s challenging to hike down to the point, and it can be dangerous. Please use extreme caution because people have died here.

Use this Google Maps Link to get to the parking lot where the trailhead is. If you want a longer hike, you can start at the bottom trailhead. The overlook is located at these coordinates: 37°35’07.0″N 89°26’22.8″W

Check out my LaRue Pine Hills Trail Guide for more information, better directions, and other stuff to do when visiting this area.

3: Fountain Bluff Overlook

Fountain Bluff Overlook is a part of the Fountain Bluff area near Gorham, Illinois.

This scenic overlook will give you a view of the Mississippi River and into Missouri. Fountain Bluff is a historical area with many instances of Native American historical sites found throughout the area.

This overlook is extremely easy to get to. You simply drive to it, and it’s where you park your vehicle. The road up to Fountain Bluff is narrow, gravel, and often contains spots of severe erosion, so you might need a truck or 4×4 vehicle to reach it.

This Google Maps Link will take you right up to the overlook area. You can also use these GPS coordinates: 37°41’24.2″N 89°30’10.6″W

Check out one of my most recent videos of the Fountain Bluff Area.

4: Horseshoe Bluff Overlook

Horseshoe Bluff Overlook is a very scenic spot south of Little Grand Canyon near Pomona, Illinois.

This overlook is beautiful. It feels like you’re at Inspiration Point but without the road and people. You’ll see an oxbow lake, which used to be a part of the Big Muddy River long ago.

The trail to this overlook is rugged. There are tons of hills, unmaintained sections, a lot of downed trees, and challenging points on the trail. In the summer, the area is loaded with venomous snakes.

The Google Maps Links will get you to the area where you will park. The following GPS coordinates will get you to the overlook: 37°39’36.5″N 89°24’30.3″W

Check out my latest video that shows beautiful Shawnee from this overlook.

5: Shelter 1 Overlook

Shelter 1 Overlook is a part of Giant City State Park near Makanda, Illinois.

Shelter 1 Overlook is a scenic viewing area showing you some beauty of the Makanda area. You’ll see Trillium Trail and the bottom of the climbing area (this is a rock climbing area) of this bluff.

The hike to the top of this bluff is a little challenging, so to be fair, I’m listing it as moderate. You have to scramble over rocks and climb up a bluff, but there are no ropes required or anything like that.

This Google Maps link will get you to the parking lot for Shelter 1. Just walk up past the shelter and towards the right side of the bluff, the hike up it. The following GPS coordinates are for the top of the bluff: 37°37’35.3″N 89°12’05.2″W

Check out my trail guide for Giant City State Park to learn more about the park, better directions, and stuff to do in and around the park.

6: Blackjack Oak Overlook

Blackjack Oak Overlook is a part of the Blackjack Oak Trail at Ferne Clyffe State Park near Goreville, Illinois.

This overlook is very scenic and one of my favorite spots to view fall colors. You’ll see Ferne Clyffe Lake, the makeup of the region (the hills), and beautiful wooded Southern Illinois.

It will take you about a mile to a mile and a half to reach all the overlooks if you start at the trail from across the lake. It’s a moderate hike because of the hills and some parts that have technical terrain.

This Google Maps Link is for the parking lot at the lake. Cross the road and take the trail up to the overlooks. The following GPS coordinates are to the biggest overlook on the trail: 37°32’06.9″N 88°58’37.6″W

Check out my Ferne Clyffe State Park Trail Guide for more information about the park, directions, and other places to go nearby.

7: Wildcat Bluff Overlook

Wildcat Bluff Overlook is a part of the Cache River State Natural Area near Vienna, Illinois.

This overlook will give you a glimpse of the windy and twisty Cache River. The whole area is a swamp. It’s beautiful to see this area during every season, but be sure to bring plenty of bug spray during the summer months.

The overlook is fairly easy to get to. There is a short but slightly strenuous climb down to the overlook once you reach it. It’s about a mile out-and-back from the trailhead.

This Google Maps Link will get you to the trailhead parking area at Wildcat Bluff. Take the trail to the kiosk and then go left past the gate. Hike it all the way to the end to see the overlook. Here are the GPS coordinates to the overlook: 37°22’19.3″N 88°55’22.9″W

Check out my trail guide for Wildcat Bluff to learn more about the area, get better directions, and know what else to do when you visit that area.

8: Murray Bluff Overlook

Murray Bluff Overlook is a part of the Shawnee National Forest near Stonefort, Illinois.

This overlook is another one of my favorite spots to view fall colors because it’s often very quiet and rarely visited. You’ll see the beautiful Southern Illinois countryside, Burden Falls Wilderness, and the Shawnee Hills from the top of this bluff.

The bluff is difficult to reach. This is due to the big hill that you have to hike straight up to reach the top. If muddy or covered in snow/ice, it will be extremely challenging.

This Google Maps Link will get you to the area to park. You park on the side of the road and then take the trail up the bluff after crossing a small creek by the road. The following coordinates will get you to the overlook: 37°36’45.3″N 88°37’27.9″W

Check out one of my great videos to see what I saw when visiting Murray Bluff and the overlook.

9: Christmas Star Overlook

Christmas Star Overlook is a part of the Garden of the Gods Wilderness Area near Herod, Illinois.

Christmas Star Overlook is a very scenic and quiet overlook that gives you vast views of the Garden of the Gods Wilderness and the Herod area. The overlook got its name from an old Christmas Star ornament that used to hang on one of the cedar trees at the overlook. The tree and star have since been removed.

The hike to this overlook is around 2.5 miles one way along the River to River Trail. It’s moderate, but only because of all the rolling hills. Use caution around the overlook, as this area is remote and without cell phone data.

This Google Maps Link will get you to the Hitching Post Trailhead. Park there and then cross the road to get on the trail. These coordinates are where the overlook is: 37°36’26.5″N 88°23’34.8″W

Check out my Garden of the Gods Wilderness Guide for more information about the area, the many points of access, and other stuff to do around this area.

10: Rocky Top Overlook

Rocky Top Overlook is a part of the One Horse Gap area near Golconda, Illinois.

Rocky Top is a beautiful overlook that shows the One Horse Gap and the Shawnee National Forest area. There are trails to the top and bottom of it. There are picnic tables and high horse lines available at this spot.

This overlook is easy to get to, but you can take the long way if you want to. The easy way is easy, and the long way is moderately difficult due to rolling hills, rocky terrain, and creek crossings.

This Google Maps Link will get you to where you need to park on the side of the road to take the easy trail in. This Maps Link will take you to Benham Hill Trailhead to go the long way. The following coordinates will get you to the overlook: 37°31’35.3″N 88°27’13.4″W

Check out my guide for the One Horse Gap area for more information about other hikes, better directions, and stuff to do when visiting this particular area.

Final Thoughts About Scenic Overlooks in Southern Illinois

These scenic overlooks in Southern Illinois are some of my favorite overlooks to visit.

Most of them offer beautiful views all year round. However, fall and leaf-off are really the best times to visit because you can see so much. Just remember to practice safety first, as many of these overlooks are high up and people have died from falling off them.

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And until next time, I’ll see you on the trail!

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