How does one access the Ohio River National Scenic Byway from the Harrisburg area? And how does one access the La Rue Pine Hills Forest Road from the Murphysboro area?
To access the Shawnee Hills on the Ohio National Scenic Byway from Harrisburg travel south on Route 34. The Byway begins at Mitchellsville. Travel south to Herod, turn east on the Karbers Ridge road. Continue east to SR 1. Turn south on SR 1 to the junction of SR 146, travel west on SR 146 through Elizabethtown to Golconda. From Golconda continue south along the river to Bay City. The drive ends approximately 4.5 miles south of Bay City at the Smithland Locks & Dam. The LaRue-Pine Hills Road can be accessed from Murphysboro by traveling west on SR149 to SR3, turn south (L) onto SR3. Travel south to the Big Muddy River. On the south side of the river is the Muddy Levee Road. Turn east (L) onto the Levee Road and travel east approximately 3 miles to the “T” at the base of the bluffs. The cross road will be the LaRue Road. If you turn north the Pine Hills Road is the first right turn. (Return to Index) Equestrian Q: I am planning a trip to your forest this weekend to ride horses. Do you h
