Showcasing the very best of Southern Illinois, the Ohio River Scenic Byway meanders 188 miles all the way from Indiana to the Mississippi River.
Tracing the hilly rolling land of the Ohio River Valley, the route is dotted with quaint river towns chock full of Civil War history (remember this was the boundary between the north and the south), as well as patches of the lush Shawnee National Forest.
All along the route, you’ll discover some of America’s most important stories and monumental history – of Native Americans, Lewis and Clark and other explorers, settlers, river pirates, Civil War heroes, miners, presidents and more.
As you travel, you’ll enjoy the relaxed pace of life, the unique cultures inspired by the river, diverse people and customs, and the art, music, and food that come along with it. Nature inspires at Glen O Jones Lake, Garden of the Gods, Rim Rock, Pounds Hollow, and Cave-in-Rock State Park. Find history at Golconda and historic Fort Massac State Park. Marvel at plentiful roadside wildflowers that colorfully dot the road.
