Little Grand Canyon
Encyclopedia
The Little Grand Canyon is a canyon located in Jackson County, Illinois
. The area is well known as a haven for hibernating snakes. The area was designated a National Natural Landmark
in February 1980. It is located in a remote area south of Murphysboro, IL.
Erosion carved this deep box canyon from the sandstone of the Shawnee Hills; it opens into the floodplain of the Mississippi River near Turkey Bayou. The canyon contains several seasonal and a few permanent waterfalls, some descending through dramatic cascades of sculpted sandstone. The 3.6 mile trail, marked by white diamond blazes, begins in the upland hardwood forest and descends through a steep and sometimes slippery sandstone side canyon to the lusher, damper habitat of the canyon floor. The ascent from the canyon requires a small amount of climbing at the Three Sisters waterfall. The trailhead facilities include a picnic area and pit toilets; no water is available. Hikers should be aware of the high population of venomous snakes, unmarked and unguarded cliff edges, and the possibility of flash floods during heavy rain.
There are a number of Little Grand Canyons across America, one in Jackson County, Illinois
, another in Lumpkin, Georgia
, and another in Huntington State Park
in Utah
.
Jackson County, Illinois
Jackson County, incorporated January 10, 1816, is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 60,218, which is an increase of 1.0% from 59,612 in 2000...
. The area is well known as a haven for hibernating snakes. The area was designated a National Natural Landmark
National Natural Landmark
The National Natural Landmark program recognizes and encourages the conservation of outstanding examples of the natural history of the United States. It is the only natural areas program of national scope that identifies and recognizes the best examples of biological and geological features in...
in February 1980. It is located in a remote area south of Murphysboro, IL.
Erosion carved this deep box canyon from the sandstone of the Shawnee Hills; it opens into the floodplain of the Mississippi River near Turkey Bayou. The canyon contains several seasonal and a few permanent waterfalls, some descending through dramatic cascades of sculpted sandstone. The 3.6 mile trail, marked by white diamond blazes, begins in the upland hardwood forest and descends through a steep and sometimes slippery sandstone side canyon to the lusher, damper habitat of the canyon floor. The ascent from the canyon requires a small amount of climbing at the Three Sisters waterfall. The trailhead facilities include a picnic area and pit toilets; no water is available. Hikers should be aware of the high population of venomous snakes, unmarked and unguarded cliff edges, and the possibility of flash floods during heavy rain.
There are a number of Little Grand Canyons across America, one in Jackson County, Illinois
Jackson County, Illinois
Jackson County, incorporated January 10, 1816, is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 60,218, which is an increase of 1.0% from 59,612 in 2000...
, another in Lumpkin, Georgia
Lumpkin, Georgia
Lumpkin is a city in, and the county seat of, Stewart County, Georgia, United States. The population was 1,369 at the 2000 census.-History:This area of Georgia was inhabited by indigenous Native Americans for thousands of years before European contact...
, and another in Huntington State Park
Huntington State Park
Huntington State Park is a state park of Utah, USA, featuring a warm-water reservoir. The park is located near the town of Huntington.Huntington Reservoir was completed in 1966 as part of an Emery County irrigation and recreation project. This warm-water reservoir supports waterskiing, fishing,...
in Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
.