Southern Illinois and the Shawnee National Forest are a good fall color getaway

October 8, 9:00 PMChicago Midwest Getaways ExaminerJodie Jacobs

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Overlook next to downtown Alto Pass faces Bald Knob Mtn. A JJ photo

Finding a scenic color route in Southern Illinois is easy. Choosing how long to drive and what to include is the challenge. Spectacular overlooks beckon at Alto Pass  and Little Grand Canyon on the west and Garden of the Gods,  way east.

Detours tempt with signs saying Shawnee Wine Trail directly south of Carbondale and Southern Illinois Wine Trail, south and east of Carbondale.

Although the Shawnee National Forest stretches across more than 270,000 acres from the Mississippi River on the west to the Ohio River on the east, best course is to limit the excursion to a particular region.

Carbondale, home to Southern Illinois University and an easy six hour drive from Chicago, most on I-57, is a good starting point.

The campus is replete with color and the Carbondale Convention and Visitors Bureau has maps and brochures.

Attractions: Save time to explore Giant City State Park  within the Shawnee National Forest and Makanda, a picturesque art village. Both are near each other just south of Carbondale. Follow the Shawnee Wine Trail in and out of forests and down rolling hills.
Check out accommodations at wineries for a repeat visit. Many places will already be reserved, particularly weekends.

Where to Stay: Hidden Lake  and Makanda Inn
How to get there: From Chicago, drive I-57 to Illinois Highway 13 about 330 miles or take Amtrak Business Class to Carbondale and arrange with Enterprise Car Rental to meet you at the station.