8 Outdoors- Other to Explore in Madison County

The village of Alton, is a vibrant city full of beauty and opportunity. This picturesque city by the river offers stunning views of the Mississippi that can be enjoyed by visitors and locals alike. It's home to Lewis & Clark Community College, the many shops and restaurants of State Street, and numerous historic sites - the Daniel Belle Home being just one example. With its vibrant culture, thriving economy, close proximity to larger cities and incredible history.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is one of the most important archaeological sites in North America. it stands as a testament to the sophisticated civilization that once thrived more than 1,000 years ago. Spanning two and a half square miles, it was the largest pre-Columbian community north of Mexico, boasting an estimated residential population of 20,000 people who engaged in maize cultivation and long distance trade networks.

Camp Dubois is an amazing historical site, tracing its roots back to 1803. This was the start of the Lewis and Clark expedition's journey west of the Mississippi River. Visiting this site gives visitors a unique glimpse into American History at its most formative. The original Camp Dubois consisted of a 126-acre plot of land and included two cabins, several out-buildings, piles of saltpeter and kegs of gunpowder - all left by Lewis and his men as they headed westward.

This is a beautiful display of the natural beauty that can be found throughout the region. Home to a variety of plants and animals, the 25-acre nature preserveis provides a place for visitors to explore, walk trails and watch wildlife species in their natural habitat. It also offers educational opportunities like field trips, docent-led hikes, and self-guided exploration. Additionally, it holds special events such as nighttime owl walks, family nights with activities for all ages.

Lewis and Clark State Memorial Park is located at the county’s southwestern border, visitors to this park can explore approximately 114 acres of pristine natural beauty with majestic oak-hickory woodlands. It is also home to two major attractions – a replica of the portaged birchbark canoe used by Lewis and Clark during their famed expedition to explore the western United States, as well as reenactment programs that recreate life as it was during this period.

The Piasa Bird is a legendary dragon-like creature found in stories of the Illiniwek people who lived near modern Madison County. The creature was said to originally inhabit the area near the Mississippi River. According to folklore, it would swoop and attack both man and beast with great ferocity. Later, two Native Americans painted a large image of the Piasa Bird on one of these cliffs with vibrant colors and symbols to commemorate their victory over its evil nature.

The Gardens at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a wonderful place to visit and explore all the grandeur that Madison has to offer. Located in the heart of the campus adjacent to the Student Success Center, this 10-acre oasis features an array of horticultural displays including colorful annuals, herbaceous perennials and ornamental shrubs. It also contains an impressive three-dimensional plant collection that provides spectacular seasonal color and landscapes throughout the year.

Woodhenge is an ancient Native American ritual and gathering place in Madison County. The site is believed to have been constructed around 1050 CE and has since become an important landmark associated with Native American culture. Many archaeologists believe that the structure of Woodhenge was used as a type of astronomical calendar, as well as for religious ceremonies. It is composed of four circles, each made up of large stones placed upright into the ground.