Jackson district, Illinois, United States

Places to visit near Murphysboro

Murphysboro is a town in Jackson district, Illinois, United States, home to about 7,768 people. Within 50 km by road there are 102 places to visit — 22 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 15 hill stations & viewpoints, 17 forts & heritage and 17 wildlife, forests & gardens. The must-see places are Lake Murphysboro State Park (5 km), Chautauqua Lake (7 km) and Little Grand Canyon (13 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Murphysboro on the map

Murphysboro, Illinois
Murphysboro, Jackson district, Illinois, United States. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Murphysboro at a glance

Location
Jackson district, Illinois, United States
Population
about 7,768
Coordinates
37.7645° N, 89.3351° W
Places within 50 km
102 (24 must-see)
Best time to visit
August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints

Top places to visit near Murphysboro

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Murphysboro: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

More places near Murphysboro

Things to see near Murphysboro, by type

Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Murphysboro

54 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Murphysboro. The closest is Borgsmiller Lake Dam (3 km); the best-known is Lake Murphysboro State Park (5 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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Hill stations & viewpoints near Murphysboro

41 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Murphysboro. The closest is Abneyville Rock (10 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

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Forts & heritage near Murphysboro

37 forts & heritage within 100 km of Murphysboro. The closest is Unknown Departed Memorial (13 km); the best-known is Bald Knob Cross of Peace (30 km). Best time: october to february.

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Wildlife, forests & gardens near Murphysboro

36 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Murphysboro. The closest is Little Grand Canyon (13 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

All wildlife, forests & gardens in Illinois →

Museums near Murphysboro

24 museums within 100 km of Murphysboro. The closest is Sharp Museum (14 km). Best time: year-round.

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Waterfalls near Murphysboro

13 waterfalls within 100 km of Murphysboro. The closest is Kinkaid Lake Spillway Falls (13 km). Best time: july to january, best august to november right after rains.

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A one-day trip from Murphysboro

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 68 km on the road.

  1. Start in Murphysboro
  2. 5 km Lake Murphysboro State Park · lake, Jackson
  3. 10 km Kinkaid Lake · lake, Jackson
  4. 20 km Little Grand Canyon · nature spot, Jackson
  5. 18 km WSIU-FM (Carbondale) · lake, Jackson
  6. 8 km Chautauqua Lake · lake, Jackson
  7. 7 km Back to Murphysboro

Plan a longer trip from Murphysboro — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Murphysboro

No traveller has reported from around Murphysboro yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Murphysboro

    All places near Murphysboro by distance

    Within 15 km of Murphysboro

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Murphysboro by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs2254Borgsmiller Lake Dam (3 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints1541Abneyville Rock (10 km)
    Forts & heritage1737Unknown Departed Memorial (13 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens1736Little Grand Canyon (13 km)
    Museums624Sharp Museum (14 km)
    Waterfalls413Kinkaid Lake Spillway Falls (13 km)
    Churches611First Presbyterian Church (2 km)
    Caves711Cave Valley (14 km)
    Parks26Keys Park (36 km)
    Beaches & coast34Duck Neck (23 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves23Tower Rock (27 km)
    Treks11River to River Segment 3 - Eddyville to U.S. 45 (23 km)
    Other attractions01World’s Largest Fountain Drink Cup (71 km)

    Murphysboro: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Murphysboro?

    Lake Murphysboro State Park (lake, about 5 km), Chautauqua Lake (lake, about 7 km), Little Grand Canyon (nature spot, about 13 km), WSIU-FM (Carbondale) (lake, about 14 km), Kinkaid Lake (lake, about 15 km), Cedar Lake Dam (dam, about 16 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Murphysboro?

    102 places on Spotwander: 22 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 15 hill stations & viewpoints, 17 forts & heritage, 17 wildlife, forests & gardens, 6 museums.

    Which is the nearest lake to Murphysboro?

    Borgsmiller Lake Dam, about 3 km by road; Lake Murphysboro State Park (5 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest viewpoint to Murphysboro?

    Abneyville Rock, about 10 km by road; Chalk Bluff (14 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest fort to Murphysboro?

    Unknown Departed Memorial, about 13 km by road; Veterans Memorial (14 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Murphysboro?

    Start in Murphysboro, visit Lake Murphysboro State Park, then Kinkaid Lake, then Little Grand Canyon, then WSIU-FM (Carbondale), then Chautauqua Lake, and drive back — about 68 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Murphysboro?

    August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints.

    Towns near Murphysboro

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Murphysboro’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Murphysboro on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.