Shawnee National Forest

State: Illinois. Type: national forest covering approximately 498,615 acres across nine counties in southern Illinois, between the Ohio and Mississippi rivers in the Shawnee Hills. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service; headquarters in Harrisburg. Established by presidential proclamation in September 1939. Contains seven designated wilderness areas, including Garden of the Gods, Bald Knob and Panther Den, and the roughly 160-mile River to River Trail. It is the only national forest in Illinois and was a prime viewing area for both the 2017 and 2024 total solar eclipses.

The Shawnee National Forest sprawls across the hilly southern tip of Illinois, filling much of the land between the Ohio and Mississippi rivers with roughly half a million acres of forest, bluffs, canyons and unusual rock formations. Set in the Shawnee Hills, a region largely spared by the last glaciers that flattened much of the rest of the state, the forest preserves a rugged landscape of sandstone cliffs, hollows and waterfalls that feels dramatically different from Illinois's famous flat farmland. It is the state's only national forest and one of its premier outdoor destinations, drawing hikers, backpackers, campers, rock climbers, horseback riders, hunters and nature watchers. Highlights include the much-photographed Garden of the Gods Recreation Area, the cliff-edged Rim Rock and Pounds Hollow area, the roughly 200-foot-deep Little Grand Canyon, and Jackson Falls, a well-known rock-climbing site. Threading through it all is the 160-mile River to River Trail, which crosses the forest from the Ohio to the Mississippi. Seven congressionally designated wilderness areas protect the wildest portions. The forest gained extra fame as a prime path of totality for the 2017 and 2024 total solar eclipses, and it appeared on the 2016 America the Beautiful quarter for Illinois. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service from its Harrisburg headquarters, the Shawnee balances recreation with conservation of its distinctive Ozark- and Appalachian-influenced ecosystems.

The Shawnee National Forest occupies the southern end of Illinois, spanning roughly 498,615 acres across nine counties in the Shawnee Hills between the Ohio River to the east and south and the Mississippi River to the west. Gateway towns include Harrisburg, where the forest is headquartered, along with Carbondale, Marion, Vienna and Golconda. The terrain ranges from river bottoms to sandstone bluffs and hollows.

Southern Illinois has a humid climate with hot, humid summers and relatively mild but variable winters, generally milder than northern Illinois. Summer brings heat, humidity and thunderstorms, while spring and fall are cooler and often the most pleasant for hiking. Winters can be cold with occasional snow and ice, though extended deep freezes are less common than farther north. The forest's hills, canyons and waterfalls are especially scenic in spring, when water flows are higher, and in autumn, when the hardwood foliage turns.

Spring and fall are generally the best times to visit, offering mild temperatures for hiking and, in fall, brilliant foliage across the hardwood forest; spring also brings fuller waterfalls and wildflowers. Summer is popular for camping and swimming despite heat and humidity, while winter offers quiet trails and bare-rock scenery for those prepared for cold. Note that most developed campgrounds typically operate from about April 1 through December 15, with some exceptions.

The land that became the Shawnee National Forest was heavily logged, farmed and eroded by the early 20th century, and much of it had been worn to marginal, gullied ground. Under New Deal conservation efforts, the federal government began acquiring these depleted lands, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt formally established the forest by proclamation in September 1939, initially organized as the Illini and Shawnee Purchase Units before being consolidated. Over the following decades the Forest Service reforested and rehabilitated the land, and it recovered into the wooded, biologically rich landscape seen today. In 1990, Congress passed the Illinois Wilderness Act, sponsored by Congressman Glenn Poshard, designating seven wilderness areas within the forest, including the popular Garden of the Gods Wilderness. The forest is managed under a comprehensive plan updated periodically to protect its biodiversity, and it has become a nationally recognized destination, spotlighted on the 2016 America the Beautiful quarter and as a prime viewing area for the 2017 and 2024 total solar eclipses, whose paths of totality crossed southern Illinois.

The forest is built for the outdoors: hiking and backpacking on hundreds of miles of trails, including the 160-mile River to River Trail; camping at developed campgrounds like Oak Point in the Lake Glendale Recreation Area or backcountry primitive camping; rock climbing at Jackson Falls; horseback riding on designated equestrian trails; fishing and boating on forest lakes; hunting in season; and nature watching and photography, especially at Garden of the Gods. Popular day hikes include the Garden of the Gods Observation Trail, the cliffs and cave of Rim Rock, waterfalls at Jackson Hollow, and the deep Little Grand Canyon. Swimming is available seasonally at Lake Glendale and Pounds Hollow Lake.

Signature sites include the Garden of the Gods Recreation Area, one of the most-photographed places in Illinois; the Rim Rock National Recreation Trail with its clifftop overlooks and a cave; nearby Pounds Hollow Lake and Recreation Area; Little Grand Canyon, a box canyon more than 200 feet deep; Jackson Falls, a premier rock-climbing area; Lake Glendale Recreation Area; and Cave-in-Rock State Park area along the Ohio River near the forest. Seven wilderness areas, among them Garden of the Gods, Bald Knob, Panther Den and Lusk Creek, protect the wildest terrain.

The forest lies in far southern Illinois and is reached by car via Interstate 57, which runs north-south through the region with exits toward Harrisburg and the recreation areas, and connecting state highways such as Illinois Route 13 and U.S. 45. Regional gateway towns include Carbondale, Marion and Harrisburg. The nearest larger commercial airports are around the St. Louis and Nashville/Paducah areas, each a drive away; there is no transit within the forest, so a personal or rental car is essential.

The forest and its trails are generally open year-round for day use, while specific recreation areas and facilities keep their own hours; for example, day-use picnic and trail areas at Garden of the Gods are posted at 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Developed campgrounds typically operate seasonally, often April 1 through December 15 with exceptions. Confirm hours and seasonal openings for specific sites on the U.S. Forest Service Shawnee National Forest website before visiting.

General access to the Shawnee National Forest and most day-use areas is free, and primitive dispersed camping outside developed campgrounds is free and permitted for up to 14 consecutive days. Developed campgrounds and some facilities charge nightly fees, for example, Pharaoh Campground at Garden of the Gods was listed at about $10 per night as of research. Fees vary by site and change over time, so check the Forest Service or Recreation.gov for current rates.

A single highlight such as the Garden of the Gods Observation Trail can be enjoyed in an hour or two, but seeing several signature areas, Garden of the Gods, Rim Rock, Little Grand Canyon and a waterfall or lake, typically calls for a full day or a multi-day trip with camping, especially for backpackers tackling longer stretches of the River to River Trail.

Lodging options include developed Forest Service campgrounds such as Oak Point at Lake Glendale (with electrical sites and showers) and Pharaoh Campground at Garden of the Gods, plus abundant free primitive backcountry camping. For those who prefer a roof, gateway towns such as Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale and Vienna offer motels, hotels and cabin rentals, and the surrounding countryside has bed-and-breakfasts and rustic cabins catering to forest visitors. Reserve ahead for developed campgrounds are first-come, first-served, as the forest does not take reservations for many of them.

There are limited services within the forest itself, so most dining is in the surrounding towns. Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale and Vienna offer a range of casual restaurants, diners and chain options, and smaller communities near the recreation areas have occasional cafes and general stores. Because facilities inside the forest are sparse, many visitors pack food and water for the day and plan meals in town before or after their outing.

Within and around the forest, visitors can combine a trip with Garden of the Gods, Rim Rock and Pounds Hollow, Little Grand Canyon, and Ohio River landmarks such as Cave-in-Rock State Park. The southern Illinois wine trail around the Shawnee Hills, the Ohio River scenic byway, and river towns like Golconda are also popular add-ons, along with the Cache River wetlands to the south.

There is no public transit within the forest; access is by car. Interstate 57 is the main highway artery through the region. The nearest larger commercial airports are in the greater St. Louis and Nashville areas, with the smaller Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois near Marion/Carbondale and airports around Paducah, Kentucky, closer options. A rental car is effectively required to reach and explore the forest.

The forest's biggest hazard is its cliffs and bluffs: stay back from unguarded edges, especially at Garden of the Gods and Rim Rock, where falls have caused fatalities. Carry plenty of water and use sun protection in summer heat, and be prepared for ticks, poison ivy and biting insects in warm months. Trails can be rugged, uneven and slippery when wet, so wear sturdy footwear. Cell service is spotty in remote areas, so tell someone your plans and carry a map. For any emergency, dial 911.

Bring sturdy hiking shoes or boots, plenty of water, snacks or food (services inside the forest are limited), a paper map or downloaded trail map given spotty cell coverage, sun protection and insect repellent, and layers appropriate to the season. A first-aid kit, flashlight or headlamp, and a fully charged phone are wise; backpackers and campers should carry standard overnight gear since many campsites are primitive.

Because the forest is large and spread across nine counties, plan a route around a cluster of nearby sites (for example, Garden of the Gods with Rim Rock and Pounds Hollow) rather than crisscrossing the whole forest in a day. Download maps in advance, since cell service is unreliable and many developed campgrounds are first-come, first-served without reservations. Visit in spring or fall for the best hiking weather and scenery, and always keep well back from cliff edges. Fuel up and buy supplies in gateway towns before heading into remote areas.

For any emergency, dial 911, the nationwide emergency number in the United States. For non-emergency questions, contact the U.S. Forest Service Shawnee National Forest supervisor's office in Harrisburg via the official website; a specific phone number should be confirmed on that site.

Shawnee National Forest (U.S. Forest Service) - https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/shawnee

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.