Jackson County is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts and beer lovers alike. The county boasts some of the best hiking trails in the region, with varying lengths and difficulty levels. The River to River Trail is the highest elevation trail, while the Campus Lake walk located at Southern Illinois University has the least amount of climbing. In addition, there are six preserves located within the city limits of Carbondale, each with hiking trails that average 1.0 miles in length and range from easy to moderate in difficulty. Green Earth owns and maintains all six preserves, which total over 200 acres.

If you’re looking for a unique beer experience, Jackson County has several breweries to choose from. Scratch Brewing Company is a farmhouse brewery located five miles from the Shawnee National Forest in Ava. It has been named a top brewery by Outside Magazine and one of the most beautiful places to drink beer in the world by All About Beer Magazine. Scratch Brewing Company focuses on farmhouse beers and other styles brewed with homegrown and locally farmed and foraged ingredients.  Learn about more about the many breweries in Jackson County.