Tourism

The Carbondale and the Jackson County area has an abundance of outdoor as well as indoor activities that can be enjoyed throughout the year. If you enjoy the outdoors Carbondale is a great place to be. The Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, the Shawnee National Forest, and the Giant City State Park are right in Carbondale's backyard. If you enjoy indoor activities, Carbondale and Southern Illinois University offer a long list of musical, theatrical and other events that are representative of our diverse community. The following links will hopefully provide you with plenty of opportunities to experience the natural splendor and cultural diversity of our community.
 
Tourism Sites

Carbondale Convention & Tourism Bureau - For everything you need to know about where to go and what to do in Southern Illinois. Contains tourism and events information for Carbondale and the surrounding region.

Event Calendars

Carbondale Community Events Calendar - Information on current community activities and events in the local area. Information provided by community organizations.

Southern Illinois Natural Events Calendar - This calendar has been adapted for internet use with permission of the publishers by coordinated effort of Instructional Support Services and the Science Division of Library Affairs, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

Southern Illinois University's Public Events Calendar - Contains public information concerning concerts, sports events, and other items of interest for the general public, students, faculty and staff. Has a search function.

The Great Outdoors

Giant City State Park - This park tells a geologic tale 315 million years old. Pennsylvanian bedrock called Pounds sandstone is the basis for the park's unusual rock formations. Early settlers said the rocks looked like the streets of a "Giant City."

Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge - One of the largest Refuges with three lakes and approximately 43,660 acres of beautiful scenery. The landscape ranges from fields and low-lying wetlands to rolling hills on the south end of the Refuge.

Shawnee National Forest - Welcome! We designed this web site to provide you information about the Shawnee National Forest. We take pride in the work we do caring for the land and serving people. We trust you will enjoy your stay and sincerely hope you will return.

Lodging (see Lodging Directory)