The Prairie State
Illinois
Sandstone bluffs, the Illinois section of the Shawnee Hills, and more trail diversity than most people expect from the Midwest.
Illinois at a Glance
Garden of the Gods
The Shawnee National Forest's Garden of the Gods features dramatic sandstone formations rising above the forested Illinois hills
Southern Forest
Shawnee National Forest sits in the southernmost tip of Illinois, where northern hardwoods meet southern bottomland forest species
Two Rivers
The forest is bounded by the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, with multiple scenic river views accessible from trailheads
Bird Migration
Southern Illinois sits on the Mississippi Flyway, drawing thousands of migratory raptors and waterfowl each spring and fall
River to River Trail
The 160-mile River to River Trail crosses Shawnee National Forest from the Ohio River to the Mississippi River
Bell Smith Springs
Bell Smith Springs Natural Area contains a series of interconnected canyons, arches, and waterfalls that feel more like the Ozarks than Illinois
When to Visit
March through May and September through November. Summer brings humidity and insects in the lowland forest. Winter can be excellent for hiking when deciduous trees are bare, revealing bluff and canyon views.
Top Activities
Gateway Cities
Carbondale
Southern Illinois university town serving as the main hub for Shawnee National Forest, with multiple trailheads within 30 minutes in multiple directions.
Harrisburg
Small city near the Garden of the Gods and Rim Rock areas, with access to the eastern half of Shawnee National Forest.
Did You Know?
Shawnee National Forest contains Cache River State Natural Area, a joint UNESCO World Heritage site recognized for its ancient bald cypress swamp.
The Giant City State Park stone structures were built by the CCC in the 1930s using the same sandstone blocks found throughout the Shawnee Hills.
Garden of the Gods Wilderness in Shawnee National Forest is one of the smallest wilderness areas in the country at just 3,293 acres.
Southern Illinois was once an inland sea, and marine fossils are commonly found in the limestone and sandstone formations throughout Shawnee National Forest.
The Rim Rock National Recreation Trail follows a sandstone escarpment with views across the Ohio River valley into Kentucky.