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Contact Us
Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center
Southern Illinois University
Mail Code 6888
Carbondale, IL 62901
618-453-1121 | F: 618-453-1188
ton@siu.edu
Main Content
The mission of Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center is to enhance the lives of all people through outdoor experiences. We value:
- Experiential learning
- Environmental stewardship
- Health and wellness
- Equity, inclusion, and diversity
Our staff have implemented some general policies to keep everyone safe while experiencing all the beauty and excitement that Touch of Nature has to offer.
Interested in partnering with Touch of Nature?
Thanks to the committed support of our Community Partners and sponsors, Touch of Nature is able to provide outdoor education programs, community events and much more.
We Go Way Back
Touch of Nature has a longstanding history of connecting people with nature, dating back to its inception in 1940.
Touch of Nature Forest
Our outdoor learning laboratory provides the ideal setting for conducting research for both the SIU community and members of the Southern Illinois region.
Need a student job?
Touch of Nature offers many employment and internship opportunities for students.
Visit us!
The easiest way to get to Touch of Nature is to plug our address into your GPS navigation.
GPS Address: 1206 Touch of Nature Road, Makanda, IL 62958
From the north:
Take Interstate 57 South to the Route 13 exit (Carbondale - Exit #54B), turn west (right) onto Route 13 toward Carbondale, go approximately 15 miles. Look for Wal-Mart on your right once you enter Carbondale. Turn left (south) at this light, Giant City Road. Continue 8 miles south on Giant City Road. Touch of Nature Road will be on your left (east). Turn left and continue straight on Touch of Nature Road. Administration building is the first left.
From the south:
Follow I-24 to I-57 North, or stay on I-57, to the Route 148 exit (Exit #45), head northwest on 148 for approximately 2 miles. Turn left on Grassy Road. There is a convenience store on this corner. Follow Grassy Road for about 7 miles. Stay left when you come to a Y. Continue southwest on Grassy Road. Grassy Road will come to a T at Giant City Road. Turn south (left) on Giant City Road. Continue on Giant City Road approximately 1 mile. Touch of Nature Road will be on your left. Turn left and continue straight on Touch of Nature Road. Administration building is the first left.
From the east:
Head west on I-70 or, if you are further south, take I-64 to I-57 South. Continue approximately 50 miles south from I-64 to the Route 13 exit (Marion - Exit #54B), head west on Route 13 toward Carbondale, go approximately 15 miles. Look for Wal-Mart on your right once you enter Carbondale. Turn left (south) at this light, Giant City Road. Continue 8 miles south on Giant City Road. Touch of Nature Road will be on your left (east). Turn left and continue straight on Touch of Nature Road. Administration building is the first left.
From the west:
Head east on I-64 approximately 50 miles from St. Louis. Take the Route 127 (Nashville) exit south. Continue south for approximately 50 miles to Murphysboro. At Murphysboro, go left (east) for approximately 10 miles. You will pass through the town of Carbondale. Watch for the mall on your right. When you see Wal-Mart on your left, this is your light. Turn right (south) at this light, Giant City Road. Continue 8 miles south on Giant City Road. Touch of Nature Road will be on your left (east). Turn left and continue straight on Touch of Nature Road. Administration building is the first left.
Maps
Full Map
Camp 1
Camp 2
