Carbondale Travel Guide

City Southern Illinois city hosting Southern Illinois University

A college town in southern Illinois, Carbondale is a base for Shawnee National Forest hikes, cave explorations and music nights. Visitors attend university events, browse vinyl shops and drive scenic byways past sandstone bluffs.

Costs

Safety

Best Time

In This Guide

Why Visit
Best Things to Do
Bucket List
Best Time to Visit
How to Get There
How to Get Around
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Local Time

2:04 PM

GMT-6

Weather

—

Population

6,670

Infrastructure & Convenience

Popularity

Why Visit Carbondale? #

A town with a strong arts-and-outdoors mix, this community attracts students, music fans and hikers alike thanks to its university presence and nearby natural areas. Southern Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest and Giant City State Park provide sandstone bluffs and trails for day trips, while campus galleries and seasonal festivals enliven downtown. Local cafés and live-music venues reflect a lively small-city culture. It’s a solid base for pairing cultural events with forested adventures.

Best Things to Do in Carbondale

All Attractions ›

Elk Mountains (Colorado)

Colorado mountain range containing several fourteeners

Mountains

Dotsero

Small Colorado community located at a volcanic maar

Crater

Carbondale Bucket List

Best Time to Visit Carbondale #

Climate

Carbondale's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -15°C to 30°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 20 Good

Best Time to Visit

JuneJulyAugust

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

34°

Warmest Month

-32°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 1°C and lows of -15°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

-7°

Feels Like Freezing

-7°C

Temperature

-15° – 1°

83%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

34 mm

Rainfall

1.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.4

UV Index

Low

9.6h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of 5°C and lows of -11°C. The driest month with just 28 mm and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

-3°

Feels Like Freezing

-3°C

Temperature

-11° – 5°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

28 mm

Rainfall

2.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.7

UV Index

Moderate

10.6h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

2°

Feels Like Cold

2°C

Temperature

-6° – 10°

67%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

37 mm

Rainfall

2.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.3

UV Index

High

11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

62 Good

Comfort

6°

Feels Like Cold

6°C

Temperature

-2° – 15°

59%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

33 mm

Rainfall

3.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.7

UV Index

Very High

13.1h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with 38 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

11°

Feels Like Cool

11°C

Temperature

2° – 21°

53%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

38 mm

Rainfall

3.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

14.2h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 27°C and lows of 6°C. The driest month with just 28 mm.

90 Ideal

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

6° – 27°

40%

Humidity

Comfortable

Weather

28 mm

Rainfall

3.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.7

UV Index

Extreme

14.7h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

85 Excellent

Comfort

19°

Feels Like Mild

19°C

Temperature

9° – 30°

44%

Humidity

Comfortable

Weather

32 mm

Rainfall

2.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.6

UV Index

Extreme

14.5h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

85 Excellent

Comfort

18°

Feels Like Mild

18°C

Temperature

8° – 28°

45%

Humidity

Comfortable

Weather

34 mm

Rainfall

2.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

13.5h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm).

85 Excellent

Comfort

14°

Feels Like Cool

14°C

Temperature

4° – 24°

46%

Humidity

Comfortable

Weather

37 mm

Rainfall

2.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.6

UV Index

Very High

12.3h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 18°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

8°

Feels Like Cold

8°C

Temperature

-2° – 18°

54%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

37 mm

Rainfall

2.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.0

UV Index

Moderate

11.0h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

63 Good

Comfort

0°

Feels Like Cold

0°C

Temperature

-7° – 8°

64%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

32 mm

Rainfall

2.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.5

UV Index

Moderate

9.9h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -13°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

-6°

Feels Like Freezing

-6°C

Temperature

-13° – 2°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

37 mm

Rainfall

1.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.3

UV Index

Low

9.3h daylight

How to Get to Carbondale

By Air

By Train & Bus

Where to Stay in Carbondale #

Budget

Near SIU / Downtown - $60-120/night

Carbondale offers several budget motels and economy chain hotels, often convenient to Southern Illinois University and local restaurants.

Local budget motels (Carbondale listings) - Economy motels and chain budget hotels
Wyndham Garden Carbondale - Value option near downtown

Mid-Range

Campus / Downtown - $100-180/night

Mid-range hotels provide comfortable rooms, complimentary breakfasts, and easy access to campus events. Good choices for families and conference visitors.