Franklin County Rend Lake Spillway Coal Haul Circuit

The Rend Lake Spillway Coal Haul Circuit follows a network of industrial roads built to serve the now-demolished Southern Illinois Power Cooperative plant. Starting at the spillway overlook, you’ll trace abandoned Norfolk Southern rail spurs and Peabody Coal haul roads that once carried unit trains loaded with Illinois basin coal. Key waypoints include the concrete foundations of Conveyor Bridge #3 and the flooded Zeigler #11 strip pit, where massive draglines worked 24/7 during the plant’s peak years.

This easy-moderate route suits any high-clearance vehicle, though spring mud can challenge stock rigs. The 31-mile loop combines gravel county roads with gated utility access tracks—respect private property signs. Fall colors peak in October when the hardwood bottoms explode in reds and golds. Excellent car camping at Rend Lake State Recreation Area, plus boat ramps for fishing the 18,900-acre impoundment created to cool the power plant that’s no longer there.