Welcome to Carbondale, Illinois!

Five hours from Chicago. Two hours from St. Louis. A world away from impossible. Whether you want to drop by for a visit or you’re dropping off a student for move-in day, we’re easy to find.

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Last Updated: Jun 23, 2025, 11:02 AM

Welcome to the quintessential college town!

Welcome to Carbondale, Illinois, where education, culture, and nature come together. We’re famous for our beautiful university, which brings a vibrant and diverse community to our doorstep. Carbondale sits pretty in the beautiful Shawnee Hills region, giving us breathtaking landscapes and outdoor adventures. With around 26,000 residents, we’ve got a tight-knit community that’s all about living life to the fullest. Whether you’re into hiking, camping, or just soaking up the fall colors, our location has got you covered.

We’re not just about nature, though—our downtown area is packed with historic charm, local shops, and plenty of places to grab a bite or catch some live music. Plus, we’ve got loads of cultural events happening year-round, from parades to concerts.

Come and see for yourself!

Visitor Parking On Campus

Group Visits

If you're looking for an educational opportunity for your school or organization, SIU would love to host your group for a campus visit. Please review our guidelines and then fill out the Group Visit Request Form. Our Campus Visit Coordinator will be in contact with you shortly to confirm your visit date.

Available Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm*
Please note that group visits are fully booked for the spring semester. We encourage you to explore availability for summer group visit opportunities.

*Some elements may not be available during the summer and other school breaks.

Please request your group visit at least one (1) month before your preferred visit date.

  • We will do our best to accommodate your date request; however, due to office hours and campus events, we may need to consider alternative dates.
  • Group visits are scheduled based on availability.

Campus walking tours are led by Saluki Ambassadors, currently enrolled students, and last 1 hour to 1.5 hours. Please let us know in advance if anyone in the group requires special accommodations. 

  • Campus Tours are scheduled at 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
  • Housing Tours are scheduled between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
  • If these tour times do not work with your schedule, please notify the Campus Visit Coordinator to discuss alternative options.
Any additional requests will be reviewed by the Campus Visit Staff for approval.

 Request a Group Visit