Big Muddy River
Big Muddy River, Murphysboro, IL 62966
Canoeing & Kayaking
The Big Muddy River shaped Murphysboro’s past, fueling trade, Brownsville’s rise, and coal transport. Once vital for settlers, it now offers scenic beauty, boating, and fishing along its historic banks.
Flowing through Murphysboro, Illinois, the Big Muddy River once served as a vital artery for trade and settlement. Known to early French explorers as Rivière au Vase, it supported the founding of Brownsville in 1818—Jackson County’s original seat and a booming river town. Though Brownsville declined by 1843, the river’s legacy endured through steamboat commerce and early coal transport. Today, the Big Muddy offers scenic beauty, fishing, and boating along its historic banks. Illinois 250
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What's happening nearby...
Murphysboro Apple Festival
Sep 10 – Sep 13
Four-day festival, with numerous activities and events drawing large crowds such as live music, a carnival with concessions, many contests featuring everything from apple pie eating…
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Praise the Lard Murphysboro Barbecue Cook-off
Sep 18 – Sep 20
A qualifying event for the World Food Championships
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Murphysboro Mud Monster Obstacle & Mud Challenge
Sep 27 @ 8AM
Experience obstacles along the approximate 5-kilometer route. Obstacles can include mud trenches, ropes, low crawls, slip & slides, teamwork challenges and of course, Mud!
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Johnson Creek Recreation Area
Murphysboro
Located on a northwest finger of beautiful Kinkaid Lake, Johnson Creek Recreation Area offers a variety of outdoor activities.
Read more about Johnson Creek Recreation Area