Overview
Cobden is a village in Southern Illinois nestled between the ridges of the Shawnee hills.
1 things to do · 2 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Cobden
River To River Relay Race
An 80 mile race from the Mississippi to the Ohio River runs through Cobden, and it's all hills.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 89°F; winter lows dip to about 27°F. Wettest: May and Apr. (climate data from nearby Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MWA Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois, Marion — 20 mi away. Directions
- CGI Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, Cape Girardeau — 27 mi away. Directions
- STL St. Louis Lambert International Airport, St Louis — 104 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
See
- Shawnee Hills Wine trail: Numerous wineries all connected by a trail with Cobden in the center.
Do
There are many lakes, rivers, hiking trails, and camping areas:
- Giant City State Park, inspiration point (overlook),
- Oakwood Bottoms,
- Trail of Tears State Park and Grand Tower Beach on the Mississippi River
Events
Do River To River Relay Race
An 80 mile race from the Mississippi to the Ohio River runs through Cobden, and it's all hills.
Drink
Drink Yellowmoon Cafe
Live music every weekend, Local Art works, food, snacks, ice cream treats, beer, local wines, and wireless internet access too.
Drink Fuzzy's Bar and Grill
Frequently having live music, karaoke. Appetizers, pizza, snacks, sandwiches, Friday fish fry. Pool tables, darts, large horseshoe bar, beer, wine.spirits. Great friendly atmosphere.
Sleep
Stay Bruce Goff Castle B&B
Enjoy some organic architecture designed by internationally acclaimed architect Bruce Goff. Enjoy the views on an ancient mountaintop including major bluff activity of huge rocks strewn about by the last ice age water dam bursting over the top of one the wings of Wing Hill. Enjoy sitting with friends under overhang rock formations whilst noting the privacy of Shawnee National forest lands without others crawling about. Enjoy access to landmark Rich's Cave that Daniel Boone signed the walls back in time to 1766.
Stay Boars Nest Bed & Breakfast
Nestled in the woods, these five cabins are centrally located in the heart of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. Relax and enjoy time on a wrap around deck that overlooks the woodlands. An eight person hot tub is a sure way to unwind at the end of the trail. Boars Nest is close to all the local amenities, of shopping, nightlife, restaurants, gas stations, anything the traveler should need, or close comforts for local guests. Open year round.
Nearby
Makanda
City / town · 6 mi away
Giant City State Park
Park · 3 listings · 6 mi away
Carbondale
City / town · 28 listings · 13 mi away
Cape Girardeau
City / town · 10 listings · 22 mi away
Marion
City / town · 2 listings · 22 mi away
Shawnee National Forest
Park · 12 listings · 32 mi away
Cairo
City / town · 18 listings · 36 mi away
Metropolis
City / town · 5 listings · 39 mi away
My experience
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