Explore the Untamed Beauty of Panther Den Wilderness

Getting There

• Car

  If you are driving, start by heading towards Makanda, IL, which is conveniently located in the heart of the Illinois Ozarks. Use your GPS to enter the coordinates: 37.5928283, -89.0750763, or the address: Makanda, IL 62958. From the center of Makanda, take East Main Street (also known as IL-149) west. After approximately 1.5 miles, turn right onto Panther Den Road. Continue on this road until you reach the trailhead parking area for Panther Den Wilderness, which should be clearly marked.

• Public Transportation

  If you are relying on public transportation, your best option is to take a bus to Carbondale, IL, which is the nearest city with public transit options. Once in Carbondale, you may need to use a rideshare service or taxi to reach Makanda, as public transport does not directly service Panther Den Wilderness. The rideshare trip from Carbondale to Panther Den should take about 20 minutes and cost approximately $20-$30, depending on traffic.

• Bicycle

  For the adventurous, biking from Makanda to Panther Den Wilderness is an option! Start in downtown Makanda and follow East Main Street west. Continue on Panther Den Road, which is about a 2-mile ride. This route is scenic but be prepared for some elevation changes as you approach the wilderness area.

• Walking

  If you are staying in Makanda and feel like hiking, you can walk to Panther Den Wilderness. The distance is approximately 2 miles from the center of town. Head west on East Main Street, then take a right onto Panther Den Road. Keep in mind that this is a rural area with limited pedestrian pathways, so be cautious of traffic.