Nature trails are plentiful in the Illinois town of Carbondale. Let’s just say the home of Southern Illinois University is well preserved, in a natural sense. It certainly helps that Green Earth, Inc., has created nature preserves featuring several hiking trails that are generally short and easy to walk. Founded in 1974, Green Earth is a not-for-profit organization that’s responsible for a significant chunk of Carbondale’s outdoor recreation offerings. Nearly all of the trails listed below are accommodating to families with children, with varied landscapes and peaceful settings.
- Campus Lake Trail
Eshan Gupta/alltrails The 2-mile loop of the Campus Lake Trail of Southern Illinois University is paved and open only to pedestrians. Campus Lake, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
- Woodland Trail
Christian Woodward/alltrails The Woodland Trail lives up to its name in the Oakland Nature Preserve. The 0.5-mile loop is entirely in the woods. Green Earth Oakland Nature Preserve, 1319-1321 N Oakland Ave, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
- Stan Harris Trail
Ben Lipe/alltrails The Oakland Nature Preserve is starker, yet just as tranquil, in the winter as in the summer when the prairie flowers are in bloom. Green Earth Oakland Nature Preserve, 1319-1321 N Oakland Ave, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
- Herbie Beyler Trail
Christian Woodward/alltrails The Herbie Beyler Trail is named after a founding member of Green Earth. The 0.6-mile loop features varying habitats within the Brush Hill Nature Preserve and is moderately difficult. Brush Hill Nature Preserve
- Marberry Arboretum Main Loop
Christian Woodward/alltrails The trees of the Marberry Arboretum are reflected in the serene water. Look for the bamboo trees near marker 9 on the 0.5-mile loop. Marberry Arboretum, 1398 E Pleasant Hill Rd, Carbondale, IL 62902, USA
- Maurice Webb Trail
Jessica Schneider/alltrails Located within the Chautauqua Bottoms Nature Preserve, the Maurice Webb Trail is a 0.5-mile loop that’s known for its prairie flowers. Chautauqua Bottoms, 2009 W Freeman St, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
- Woodland Spur Trail
Y Marie Marchal/alltrails The 0.9-mile loop of the Woodland Spur Trail is a nice, flat walk in a natural setting. Chautauqua Bottoms, 2009 W Freeman St, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
- David Kenney Trail
Ben Lipe/alltrails The 1.8-mile, out-and-back David Kenney is considerably longer than most trails in Carbondale and also connects to some shorter trails in the Chautauqua Bottoms Nature Preserve. Chautauqua Bottoms, 2009 W Freeman St, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
- Fernlands Preserve Trail
Doug Neidholdt/alltrails The Fernlands Preserve Trail is a 0.8-mile, out-and-back trail that goes through three distinct areas of the preserve. Green Earth’s Fernlands Nature Preserve, 468 Kennedy Rd, Carbondale, IL 62903, USAGreen Earth Fernlands
In all, Green Earth operates six sites in the Carbondale area, covering 220 acres. The land conservation organization was launched with a $102,000 grant from the town and used some of that money to acquire Brush Hill, then used investments and donations to fund its expansion. Here’s another hike to a waterfall not far from Carbondale and a great lake to visit in the town.
Eshan Gupta/alltrails
The 2-mile loop of the Campus Lake Trail of Southern Illinois University is paved and open only to pedestrians.
Campus Lake, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
Christian Woodward/alltrails
The Woodland Trail lives up to its name in the Oakland Nature Preserve. The 0.5-mile loop is entirely in the woods.
Green Earth Oakland Nature Preserve, 1319-1321 N Oakland Ave, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
Ben Lipe/alltrails
The Oakland Nature Preserve is starker, yet just as tranquil, in the winter as in the summer when the prairie flowers are in bloom.
The Herbie Beyler Trail is named after a founding member of Green Earth. The 0.6-mile loop features varying habitats within the Brush Hill Nature Preserve and is moderately difficult.
Brush Hill Nature Preserve
The trees of the Marberry Arboretum are reflected in the serene water. Look for the bamboo trees near marker 9 on the 0.5-mile loop.
Marberry Arboretum, 1398 E Pleasant Hill Rd, Carbondale, IL 62902, USA
Jessica Schneider/alltrails
Located within the Chautauqua Bottoms Nature Preserve, the Maurice Webb Trail is a 0.5-mile loop that’s known for its prairie flowers.
Chautauqua Bottoms, 2009 W Freeman St, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
Y Marie Marchal/alltrails
The 0.9-mile loop of the Woodland Spur Trail is a nice, flat walk in a natural setting.
The 1.8-mile, out-and-back David Kenney is considerably longer than most trails in Carbondale and also connects to some shorter trails in the Chautauqua Bottoms Nature Preserve.
Doug Neidholdt/alltrails
The Fernlands Preserve Trail is a 0.8-mile, out-and-back trail that goes through three distinct areas of the preserve.
Green Earth’s Fernlands Nature Preserve, 468 Kennedy Rd, Carbondale, IL 62903, USAGreen Earth Fernlands
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
