Explore
Welcome to Johnson County in the heart of beautiful Southern Illinois! Below are some of the places you might want to visit during your stay at Clayton Cottage.
Tunnel Hill State Bicycle Trail: The Tunnel Hill State Bicycle Trail is located one mile east of The Cottage. The Trail stretches for 45 miles from Harrisburg to Karnak. The 9-mile section between Tunnel Hill and Vienna offers the most picturesque part of the trail, including the tunnel, which is an experience you don't want to miss! Bike rentals are available at Sandburn Junction in Tunnel Hill.
Shawnee National Forest: The Shawnee National Forest’s natural beauty is ideal for all types of outdoor recreation. Nestled between the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, the Forest’s landscape features rolling hills, forests, open lands, lakes, creeks and rugged bluffs. Some of our favorite places in the Shawnee include Garden of the Gods, Lusk Creek Canyon, and Heron Pond. Let us know if you need directions or other recommendations. Stop by the Hidden Springs Ranger Station at 602 North 1st Street in Vienna for more information about the Shawnee National Forest.
State & National Parks: The cottage is near many State & National Parks. The closest is Ferne Clyffe State Park, which is just 10 miles away. Ferne Clyffe offers fishing, picnicking, and hiking, along their beautiful trails and waterfalls. Dixon Springs State Park, Fort Massac State Park and Lake Glendale are also less than 30 minutes from the cottage. Giant City State Park, near Carbondale, is a beautiful 35 minute drive that adjoins the Southern Illinois Wine Trail. For the more adventurous, the very popular Garden of the Gods is a 60 minute drive through the rolling hills of the Shawnee National Forest. This picturesque drive is one of the most beautiful in the area, and well worth it! Along the way, be sure to make a stop at Shotgun Eddys for some delicious food, refreshing beverages, and great entertainment!
Kayaking & Canoeing: The Cache River offers outstanding canoeing and kayaking in a unique environment. The Cache River meanders through marshy wetlands that are home to massive 1,000 year old cypress trees. We recommend Cache Bayou Outfitters. They provide guided or unguided trips at very reasonable prices. Contact them at 618.201.4090. For a shorter canoe trip, try Bowman Bottoms, which offers a slow, shady, winding creek with excellent fishing! If it's lakewaters you're looking for Dutchman Lake is the closest lake to Clayton Cottage (6 miles away) and offers great fishing and beautiful views. Lake Glendale is 28 minutes from Clayton Cottage, and offers great canoeing, surrounded by the beauty and serenity of Shawnee National Forest.
Antique Shopping, Junkin, and Local Flavor: Be sure and visit the Town Square in Vienna! There you will see our historic courthouse, as well as antique and thrift shops, a great pizza joint, and a cute coffee shop! The Vienna Town Square Mall offers an antique vendors as well as Vienna and Johnson County souvenirs. Other shops downtown are Milkmade Creations & Antiques, Faith Alive Thrift Store, Kuts Salon, Holy Grounds Coffee Shop and Family Pizza.
Wine Trails: The Cottage is near the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. There are many unique and beautiful wineries in the area. Some of our favorites are Blue Sky Vineyard, StarView Vineyard and Peachbarn Winery and Cafe. Wine tours can be booked through Shawnee Shuttle.
This is just a sampling of area attractions, but there is so much to offer in Southern Illinois! Scuba diving, horseback riding, and world-class ziplining are also available, as well as many other adventures!
Contact your hosts for any questions or recommendations, or any special requests you have.