The Illinois Ozarks stretch along the banks of the Mississippi River in Southern Illinois. Glaciers stopped their southward movement here, leaving behind rugged and magnificent hills that extend through Missouri and Arkansas. It is an ecologically diverse area and is home to an extensive array of flora, fauna and wildlife not to be seen together in any other portion of the Ozarks.

This is an area to bring the family and explore. Hiking, biking, camping, fishing are but a few of the outdoor activities available. It is the perfect place for your upcoming ecotour vacation.

The Illinois Ozarks are an extension of the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. They rise abruptly from the surrounding country and stretch for 70 miles in an east-west direction across southern Illinois from Grand Tower on the Mississippi to Shawneetown on the Ohio . The Ozarks are very ancient mountains, much older than the Rockies.


Plan a day to visit the Garden of the Gods river to river trail. The scenery is spectacular, so pack your camera. History abounds in this area of Illinois. Long known as "Little Egypt" the area stretched along the Mississippi River was compared to that of its Far Eastern counterpart in that settlers depended on the river to lend a hand in moving food and other supplies..especially in harsh winters.


Photos Courtesy of Metropolis Planet