Ullin brings together a range of nature and cultural attractions: the wide floodplain of the Lower Cache River Swamps, walking trails and paddling routes on the Lower Cache River. The Illinois Central Railroad Depot is also located in town. For planning purposes, it helps to consider the individual offerings by activity and distance rather than viewing them as one continuous route.
Floodplain and Walking Trails
The Lower Cache River Swamps stretch across a broad, flat floodplain between Karnak and Ullin. This landscape provides a clear setting for the nature experience: water, wetlands and flat terrain define this area. Those interested in this landscape can choose between a walking trail at Shawnee Community College and the longer Lower Cache River Swamp Trail.
The walking trail at Shawnee Community College in Ullin is one mile long. Three-quarters of the route is paved, and one-quarter is gravel. At 2.5 miles, the Lower Cache River Swamp Trail is longer and leads to a swamp with cypress and tupelo trees. These details provide a concrete comparison of trail lengths; the surfaces of the college trail are also specified, while the Swamp Trail description identifies the hike’s destination. Flooding can affect the trail’s year-round accessibility. Before your visit, check whether this may affect your plans.
Paddling in the Bottomland Swamp
There are two different route descriptions for a paddling trip. The 4.6-mile canoe loop from Cache Bayou Outfitters runs through the Bottomland Swamp and ends at the main office at 240 Dean Lane, Ullin, Illinois. Route details may change, so check the current route before your visit.
Visitors can paddle six miles of canoe trails on the Lower Cache River, through rivers, swamps and ponds in the area known as the Bottomland Swamp. By comparison, the route from Cache Bayou Outfitters is described as a single loop with a specific endpoint. The two descriptions therefore differ both in scope and in the type of route they refer to. You can plan your paddling around whether you prefer a specific loop or the canoe trails on the Lower Cache River.
Other Nature Activities in the Region
At the regional level, Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge offers opportunities for fishing and hunting, environmental education and interpretation, boating, and wildlife and birdwatching. This broad range includes activities on the water as well as nature observation and educational offerings. You can decide which of these you want to shape your trip, regardless of whether you primarily want to hike or paddle.
The trails differ in more than just length: the college walking trail is described by the proportions of its different surfaces, while the Swamp Trail is described by its destination in a cypress and tupelo swamp. The canoe options, in turn, include a 4.6-mile loop and six miles of trails on the Lower Cache River.
Campus and Local History
If you’re heading to the Shawnee Community College campus in Ullin, the listed access routes lead there from different directions: from the west via Interstate 57, from the north via State Route 37, and from the east via State Route 45 via Route 169. These directions apply to the campus and help you get to this specific destination.
The Illinois Central Railroad Depot is in town, at the intersection of Central Avenue and Ullin Avenue. An entry in the register, updated in June 2022, lists the depot in the National Register since 1999. This historic site complements the nature attractions defined by the floodplain, trails and paddling routes. If you choose Ullin, alternating between these different themes offers a way to tailor your stay to your interests.
For the broader travel overview: Pulaski County.
