Shorts and sneakers in cottonmouth-infested trails with plenty of leaf litter for them to hide in... I'm glad I'm on this side of the screen.

Welcome to the neighborhood! I live against these bluffs and have had regular visits with these creatures along with copperheads, rattlesnakes, large snapping turtles, coyotes, bobcats, cougars, bears, and more. We are always aware of the wildlife that may surprise us at any time. Rural life is certainly not boring, it is amazing! Thanks for highlighting us here in Southern Illinois.

I had no idea that Cottonmouth was that far north. I just learned something

I remember being a kid in Southern Kentucky. A kid swimming in a river was bitten by a cottonmouth and died. I'm not sure if the venom actually got him or he panicked and drowned. I've had many... many people over the years tell me that it's not possible. Both online and in person. I've heard tons of people say there are no cottonmouths in Kentucky. Cottonmouths are not this far north, not this far east, etc. There's a lot of bad information about, not just snakes, but other animals as well, that's out there. I'm glad there are people making videos clearing up some of the bad information that's out there.

Show them the respect they deserve and there won't be a problem. As it should be.

I never thought of Illinois being a hotspot for cottonmouths. You sure wouldn't want to shelter under that bluff at night.

Learned something new. I always thought cottonmouth’s were a southern snake.

That is living hell for me.

Theres a place I'll never go! As a lifelong Illinois resident I've never heard of it and will RUN if I ever happen upon it!

I'm gonna cry dude, I wanna meet you so bad and I come here all the time! Lol for real though I'm glad you got a chance to check the place out, it's my favorite place on earth to date! Edit: that so crazy you were talking to my buddy and his grandpa! You must've been there right before I got there as it turns out, that's crazy lol.

As a southern Illinoisan, glad you enjoyed your trip here!

What an incredible space. Thankfully it’s protected and the snakes get to live their lives in peace. ❤

It was my distinct pleasure to meet you at LaRue on October 6th. I was the guy who called your name after we passed and was a bit flabbergasted that it was actually you. As a life long Herper, I absolutely love Snake Road. I am fortunate to live about 125 miles from there, so I spend 15-20 days a year there in both the Spring and Fall. Thanks for taking a few minutes to talk to me and letting me fanboy a bit. I suggest a trip in the Spring as well. The Amphibians seem much more present in the Spring and their diversity is just as impressive as the Snakes.

couldnt pay me enuff to walk that road,lol

This is literally my worst nightmare.

I dont mind at all seeing all these Cottonmouths. They're very sassy snakes. I love that sharp angle they have at the end of their heads. They might be common, but they're still beautiful. Some had some fairly bright patterns too.

What an amazing place.Its great to know people respect this place and that so many herpers keep it safe. Definitely on my bucket list.

A beautiful piece of earth that we should keep. A stark contrast to what is happening in the world. Luckily, something like this happens and you can share it with us. Best wishes from Düsseldorf Germany.

I'm thinking 2024 is a return trip for the Smetlogik crew. Can't miss Mike's 30 yr celebration. Mike and Justin are both good people.

Why YT put this in my feed, I have no clue. This is absolutely terrifying and my worst nightmare. 😂

I've been going twice a year for the past 5 years and I love going. The community of herpers and other naturalists that make the trip from all over always blows me away. It truly is a special place.

Living in Southern Virginia, I had no idea there are cottonmouths in Illinois.

Snake Road: Everyone looks down for snake. Snake falls out of tree on shoulders instead.

Was just there two weeks ago. 12 Cottenmouths, 1 Northern Watersnake, 1 Yellow Bellied Watersnakes, 2 Rough Green Snakes. Sorry I missed you

Never knew there were Cottonmouth in Illinois! just thought they were far south gulf snakes!

Yay, he went to snake road! So cool you got out with Mike Pingleton, just listened to his snake talk episode with Cris Jenkins!

Living in Wisconsin almost everyone thinks Illinois is the home of the flat landers 😂...... But ive been all over southern Illinois and have seen those cliff formations and also some in southern Indiana and it was beautiful

My God; that is quite literally what I think the pathway to hell looks like.

It was so awesome to meet you man! 16:16

Nice video! I went to snake road recently and got the chance to see nkfherping, and all of the amazing wildlife!

What an incredible place! Thank you for taking us there. I love snakes from a certain distance, so your video is perfect for me. I probably wouldn't even enter this snake road for $1,000 as a gift, too much respect for the silky-smooth mouth of this species... 🙂Greetings from Germany, where we only have two species of venomous snakes, vipera berus and vipera aspis. I've never seen one in the wild; they are very rare and shy.

Really cool episode Noah! What an amazing habitat! I'm glad people respect and value it. Nice that you got to meet some viewers too

Nice video and good job with the editing. I have been looking for a video like this for years. The reason why is because a friend of mine showed me a picture on his phone one day of cotton mouths "migrating" across a 4 wheeler trail. This was in N MS. It was springtime and the snakes were moving from higher ground back down to the Yocona River bottom. It was unreal how many snakes were in that photo and most of them were huge. I would say there was at least 12 in the picture. I have told people that story and they act like they don't believe me or say "I don't think snakes migrate". This video proves that they do exactly that. Anyway my friend said it really shook them up seeing that many cotton mouths in one place and they didn't want to run over any, so they turned around and went back. I have a great deal of respect for snakes and I'm glad to see your research and videos. Thanks for posting!

This sounds awesome! A new place on my bucket list.

I'm so happy to be able to watch all of your videos from A to Z. 22:11

Goes out there at night just to sit? You guys are another breed of people. I would die from a panic attack knowing what is out there. Kudos

Heartwarming to see families and friends sharing their lifelong joy of herping … snake lovers united !

I applied for a job on the Shawnee NF about a year ago, and I remember this was one of the first things I discovered when I was researching the area. Very cool to see the spot on video. Thanks.

Went on very memorable field trips there as a student at SIU, and took my wife on our first date there years later. Live in Maine now, a state with few snakes, and no cotton mouths, and have enjoyed telling people about it. Hope to return some day, thanks!

I remember hearing about Snake Road from the old Herping With Dylan days back when I was first getting into herping and it’s cool to now see Noah walk it too.

Truly incredible place! I made my first trip out there last October. Absolutely beautiful scenery, plenty of snakes and everyone there is really nice and shares a passion for wildlife. I've now spent 6 days on the road (2 last October, 2 in April and 2 more this October, just a couple of days after you left). Looking forward to the spring migration!

These snake hunters are more well spoken then others I’ve met hehe

I love the markings on those baby Cottons..

Cool place Noah! I have never heard of this place, but I would love to visit! I am so glad you had a good time and it was really great learning about it. Have a great weekend!!! 😄💙🐬🐍🐊🫶🏼

First time I see the Snake Road live on video. Probably a must visit, even just due to its good reputation. Curiously, no cottonmouth tried to display at all.

Great video. I’m happy to sit comfortably in my home and watch. I’m trying to get over my fear of snakes and walking among them might not do it!

Freaking NIGHTMARE ❗️❗️❗️

This looks like an Epic life journey!

I better not have a nightmare after watching this.

I grew up around there, spent lots of time with the cotton mouths on that road. Very cool place.

Two,words I will never put together “Beautiful Snake!” And I would never be found in a cave with a snake of any kind! Interesting but creepy video!

My most interesting things there were a May 7th trip where I didn't see a single cottonmouth. Mostly rough greens. Another trip I saw a guy collecting morels and other mushrooms. Had a buddy that got over 200 cottonmouths one day in October. I've never had an exceptional visit there.

We went out to snake road 2 weeks after you and got ≈75 snakes 7 species. Too bad we missed you 😢.

I love the outdoors but snakes have been my biggest fear. I can watch your videos because I know I am not in the same place as the snakes. I am better about the non venomous snake but I am still terrified of the venomous. With that being said I hope you have enjoyed your time in Southern Illinois! I hope you got to see more of the beautiful Shawnee National Forest! If you go to the Garden of the Gods, you will see copperheads in that area.

So I literally missed seeing you guys by a single day...I left the area that rainy morning (found a box turtle a few miles south of the area on the way out though), was wandering about the couple days before. A bit surreal recognizing the exact spots you're at for once...

Awesome video, I have family in Illinois and will be asking to make the drive next time I visit. I live in the low-country of SC probably pretty close to you and I haven't seen a cottonmouth or copperhead in years. Although I don't primarily herp I hunt turkey, ducks, and deer and still have not seen much lately. Believe it or not it's probably been 10 years since I have seen a copperhead or cottonmouth in the wild even when I am in the woods 2-3 days a week for multiple hours at a time (other than a beautiful copperhead I admired in horticulture class about 5 years ago). My typical finds are eastern king snakes, Eastern ribbon snakes, black racers, banded water snakes, ring necks, and the occasional rough green snake every couple years falling out of trees on me. I have even tried flipping structures recently to no avail. I have never seen any rattlers in the wild so those are on my list, mud snakes, corns, hognose, brown snakes, and corals I have never seen either. I know one of these days I will stumble upon some in the forests I hunt and explore. Until then I will keep searching and enjoying the bird life around me. Happy herping and keep up with the fun content!

Well interesting place and I'm glad you and many others are enjoying it. I definitely don't understand the snake attraction but, enjoy it and stay safe.

Very cool vid and I really enjoyed it. I like the shots of the area, the swamp and bluffs and of course, all the snake sightings. For a novice like me, some of the cotton mouths looked somewhat like copperheads. In my area, the moccasins are always dark-colored, mostly black. It's easy to understand why " location location location" is such a big issue! The interviews were good, not too long but just enough to be interesting. It's a well done episode! You did a good job!

i have traveled fr michigan x 2 to enjoy the wonders of snake road. it is magical

Your close enough to my area, reelfoot lake it’s in the very northwest corner of Tennessee you should herp that area it’s all swamp and absolutely loaded. I’m from the obion county side of reelfoot.

This is so cool Noah! I've been there many times. Such an amazing place to visit and see amazing herps. You're on my home turf and it's awesome to see... Keep up your superb content!

I live in Rockingham County North Carolina. It's amazing how many people think water snakes are cottonmouths here. They do not live here. I once in the fourth grade did a report on this. I made an A.

Snake at 9:40 looks like a copperhead.

This looks like a wonderful place to take the wife and kids out for a walk in nature to enjoy the beautiful flora and fauna.

Wow good lookin' chicken of the woods!

Neat! Heard a lot about it from a coworker when I was working in Carbondale last summer, but never went out there.

Never would have guessed Illinois would have a place like this. I’m from the South and I’m used to seeing snakes. We have cotton mouths everywhere in East Texas. We also see tons of copperheads. I lived in Florida as a kid and saw Florida cottonmouths.

I just got bit by a copperhead 3 weeks ago 10/10 dont recommend 😂

Nice to see a snake road video from you 👍 I'm from IL, been there probably 50-75 times

I love your videos I'm making my own soon!!!

Im 80 yrs old. Outdoors all my life .. huntung fishing and working. Have never been able to master my fear of snakes. They creep me out. I guess i was born with it.

Cottonmouths in Ill, who woulda thought..

Love it. So great to meet up and hang out. You're awesome, you both are.

Glad you enjoy southern Illinois. We have a pretty special place. I've met a lot of lifelong friends on snake road.

Nice werk, I live in CO and had the opportunity to catch the migration in full force . Grand Slammed it. One timber handful of copper heads and like 30 moccasins. Tried to find morels but couldn't get my eyes in the game due all the snakes moving around.. thanks

I grew up on the edge of Shawnee Forest (near Goreville) and never realized how snake rich the area was. Great video!

I live in the deepest East Texas. We have more cotton mouth snakes than an abandoned dog has fleas. I was riding down a fairly flooded logging road one day with several other riders and we had several dogs with us I started smelling something bad and familiar. It dawned on me after a few seconds that it was cottonmouths. They stink worse than most other snakes, most of which only release an odor if you mess with them. I took a quick glance around and saw hundreds sunning themselves on every strand of barbed wire, every fence post and branch of every limb of every sapling. There were probably several hundred in just the 50 yards that we had ridden. I turned around and told the others to quietly and slowly do the same. I was with several kids and was afraid that they would act the fools, alert the dogs to the presence of the hundreds of snakes surrounding us and a horse or dog would get bitten. Fortunately everyone kept their cool and we walked out with no problems. I never rode that road again and never trusted those clueless dogs to keep me safe.

I grew up in central Indiana and human encroachment made extinct the cottonmouths, copperheads, rattlesnakes, etc. I’m pleasantly surprised that that the snake road exists and is protected.

0:13 Cape Girardeau! There was a UFO crash there in 1941, 6 years before Roswell. A local preacher was called by first responders (they initially thought it was a plane crash) to administer last rites to the dying occupants. I know that sounds strange, but keep in mind this was rural Missouri in 1941. (Cape Girardeau is just across the Mississippi from Illinois.) His children and grandchildren still tell the story.

As someone who is not a snake person (understatement), it reduces my fear of hiking by watching these people give zero concern as a snake crosses its path. I mean, I always expect them to attack me (thank you horror films) and this crew highlights how they want nothing to do with you. Dangerous potentially, trying to kill you, no. Thanks Team!

Another place that’s on my bucket list. Really diverse habitat and, as mentioned, it’s a convergence of species ranges. There are many species that I have yet to see in their native habitats. I’ve seen most of the species native to the East Coast, would love to see the Coral Snake, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, and the Rainbow Snake in the wild. That last one seems to be very difficult to locate. I’ve been places where I’ve been told they’re around and not seen any. The Coral Snake and Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake I haven’t gone herping for yet, I’ve seen both in captivity down in Florida. You don’t really appreciate how large Diamondbacks are until you’re within six feet. Impressive animals. I’m also not comfortable around venomous species, so going to actively look for them hasn’t been a priority. Being within six feet is plenty close for me. I know that these animals are only dangerous if you do stupid things, but admiring from a distance eliminates any stupidity on my part. As you’ve shown many times, the snakes don’t chase you down to bite you. Most of the time they’re just sitting still hoping they aren’t noticed. I know you joke often, as you did in this video, about “the chase”. Always enjoy the content here, looking forward to the next videos. Always enjoy the videos you share.

I’m glad to see Kaitlin- managed to survive both those attacks -

I'm a botany guy but it's fun to step out of my comfort zone sometimes! At 7:18, possibly a black widow? You can see the spider itself off on the right.

While the snakes were awesome, I think the millipede dropping the giant deuce at the end made it for me….. 😂

New to Kansas here, absolutely petrified of ALL snakes, earthworms too! Copperheads keep me inside and no idea if cottonmouths here too

Man that is a lot of snakes i live in east TN now but lived in S IL a few years as a young boy near Vieanna in Tunnel Hill and we saw a lot of snakes there as well. I have heard of that location but seeing this video wow seeing it is crazy thanks for putting it up!

Wow I'm sorry I hate all snakes but there is kn pretty snakes 😮

Saw similar thing in the Ouchita Mountains of Oklahoma but with Copperheads. Hundreds of them in one place up on top of the mountains.

No problem. It was a horrendous few days. The Dr from Vanderbilt was supposed to be the snake bite expert in the southeast. He wasn't too worried about our son loosing his life. He was concerned about him possibly loosing his foot. Other than a test dose of antivenom he didn't have to have any. The Dr said for a copperhead bite he didn't like to administer antivenom unless absolutely nessacary . They checked the pulse in his foot every 8 minutes around the clock for the 3 days and nights he was in the ICU. His leg was swollen unbelievably big. And bruised and weird looking colors. He was in a regular hospital room for almost a week after getting out of the ICU. On crutches for several days after being released from the hospital. He didn't have any side effects though. Other than his foot is slightly discolored. Anyway we enjoy your videos. And we don't hate snakes.

Great shot of the millipede taking a poo. 👍 lol

There must be a pretty good food source there, and the lizards all about is probably that source. While stationed at Columbus AFB Ms (ATC) around ‘87, in our designated combat training area we would just run into snakes. One night we picked up a strong smell of cucumbers and skirted the area because of that. The next morning we went back to scout the area, and found mostly rattlesnakes. The area became known of as Snake Road as well.

Great episode!

Snakes be snakin

Wow I didn't think cotton mouth came this far north.

down here in the South we run from those and yall go looking for them

I’ve been looking out for cottonmouth’s since I was five. No one, no one has ever told me they were anything other than very dark matte, cottony mouth and a fake rattle they shake but without sound.

Noah, you outdid yourself. I was planning on making a trip there next year. That place is awesome.

I live 2 hours from this hell hole. I'm not sure it's far enough!

Gahhhh this is so COOL. I wonder why there are primarily cottonmouths there. Im not finished with the video yet but ive never seen so many in a single run :o Wonder why no other snakes are populating it like that.

Looks like a good place to relocate some king snakes too... clean out some of those poisonous ones.😮