What’s Your Story

What's Your Story?

with the Midwest Nomad Family

When it comes to traveling, we’re all storytellers. There are parts of any adventure that we love to recount and pass along to our family and friends. To celebrate those tales, we have started a new campaign in 2022 called ‘What’s Your Story?’ It’s an opportunity for those who have visited our region to share their memories, and hopefully entice readers to experience southern Illinois as well! The following story out of Randolph County comes to us from The Midwest Nomad Family, who love to explore the great outdoors.

EXPLORING CAVERNS AND ROCK ART AT PINEY CREEK RAVINE IN ILLINOIS

Piney Creek Ravine Nature Preserve is a bit of a secret hike. Visit this spot even on a summer weekend and you may still have the whole trail to yourself. So many don’t realize this dramatic and historic spot exists tucked deep in the farm fields of southern Illinois.

Not only does the preserve feature dramatic canyons and trickling creeks, but the main claim to fame here is the biggest display of prehistoric petroglyphs and pictographs in Illinois. You can view these impressive vistas in the cool comfort of the shade provided by groves of shortleaf pines. Piney Creek is one of only two places these towering evergreens can be found in the state.

Driving to the trailhead through the rural countryside, you may wonder if you are in the wrong spot. Even once you start the hike from the small parking lot, the path starts off with ho hum scenery between two farm pastures. Stick with it and the trail gets better. You will come across the sign board for the trail. Head right into the trees and cross a small bridge. Soon the trail comes to the first creek crossing. While the water level here is normally low, the rocks are extremely slick at all times. Use caution making your way across the rocks. Not long after the creek crossing, the split for the loop portion of the hike appears. You can go either direction, but we like to go left and hike clockwise in order to reach the main part of the creek and the rock art first. The trail will descend towards the creek. Off to your left you may hear the sounds of a tall waterfall plunging off a cliff edge. A sign warns of getting too close to look at the waterfall as the edge is steep, slick, and the site of several falls over the edge.

When you reach the creek area you may see a side trail off to the right. That is an unofficial trail that follows the creek and leads to a small waterfall. The marked trail crosses straight across the creek here. The rocks are not quite as slick here, but the creek can be ankle deep or more. When crossing, look for the sign on the other side of the creek marking the trail. Before continuing on the trail on the other side, be sure to explore the creek area here. Off to your left, a dramatic bluff and overhang extend over the creek. You may see a couple of wet weather waterfalls in this area as well by looking back near the trail you just descended. Taking in the view of the dramatic canyon here might give you another one of those “Am I really in Illinois?” moments.

After exploring the bluff overhang and creek, return back to the main trail at the creek crossing. After climbing the bank, you soon come to a fork. Off to the right is the spur trail to the rock art. Here a short trail leads past an enchanting display of prehistoric rock art and carvings, A sign board helps explain the history and meaning of the symbols. Sadly, people have vandalized the rock art over the years and much of it is difficult to see. The trail wanders back through the forest to complete the loop. Retrace your steps back to the trailhead and marvel at the wonders you have seen in this secret ravine. If you’re looking for more to do in the area, check out Mary’s Covered Bridge, the Popeye Statue Trail, and Fort Kaskaskia in nearby Chester.

To read about more rural adventures in ILLINOISouth from The Midwest Nomad Family, visit their website at midwestnomads.com. If you have a story from our region you would like to share with us, we’d love to hear it! Please email us at info@illinoisouth.org.

Piney Creek Ravine | Midwest Nomad Family