Welcome Back! Photo courtesy of fs.usda.gov. A 7/8-mile trail leads the hiker around the top rim of the "Pounds," which is a circular 40-acre tract of land isolated from the surrounding terrain by steep sandstone bluffs. Slick when wet! Southern Illinois is a hiker’s paradise. You also have the option for an out and back to the trailhead on Rowan Road at Makanda. Indian Point Trail is a part of the Garden of the Gods recreation area. Fortunately, the forest is divided up into many wilderness areas and state parks. The Shawnee Trail Conservancy (STC), a 501(c)3 trail advocacy organization in southern Illinois, engaged officials at the US Forest Service/Shawnee National Forest (Shawnee) in a public-private partnership to utilize Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funding to improve access to public lands for hikers, backpackers and equestrians. For ease of planning, we have grouped them by direction from our cabins. Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District. There are a couple of places where you have to climb down into the canyon through the creek bed. You have to drive through High Knob Campground to get here. Start checking them out and you'll be out on the trail in no time! Shawnee National Forest Travel Guide The Shawnee National Forest is made up of seven Wilderness Areas. With more than 280,000 acres of diverse landscapes and 403 miles of hiking trails, the Shawnee National Forest is a perfect destination for a weekend away with friends or a romantic getaway with that special someone. Rim Rock has a long history of drawing people to its forested bluffs for hiking and picnicking. There is a mixture of hardwood and some larger groves of short leaf pine. It was a neat trip. Shawnee Trails Lodging and Suites is dedicated to creating the perfect, relaxing vacation experience for you and yours. In response to COVID-19, our Shawnee Hills Wine Trail wineries have new ways to serve you. The Shawnee National Forest is a United States National Forest located in the Ozark and Shawnee Hills of Southern Illinois, United States. Take in a unique sampling of the original landscape of Illinois, while hiking an easy walking trail to what is known as the largest sandstone cave in North America! Lots of moss means green in the winter! P.O. As Illinois’s only National Forest, Shawnee is located in the southern part of the state and contains seven wilderness areas, including the Garden of the Gods. Featuring Arch Of The Gods, Anvil Rock, scenic vistas, many waterfalls, rock formations, forest settings and wildlife. Trying to break up your hiking adventure into smaller chunks? Harrisburg, IL 62946 (618) 253-7114 . The trail is well blazed with only a couple of junctions missing blazes. Another short hike, the Garden of the Gods recreational trail is just half a mile long. The Bell Smith Springs trail system extends 8 miles into the heart of Shawnee National Forest. Terrain is between easy to difficult. Beautiful scenery and lots of wildlife. It can be slippery and difficult when the creek is flowing. Little Grand Canyon Hiking Trail in Shawnee National Forest Shawnee National Forest Hiking. Passes through Plains, Bluffs, Bayous, and upland Forest. “What I hope to achieve through my services is an opportunity to take individuals and groups of hikers that would benefit from being guided along unfamiliar trails to places they would not see on their own” (Bart Lane). From avid hikers that want to hike the extensive River to River Trail to less experienced hikers who want to pack a variety of hiking experiences into a weekend, the Shawnee Forest has everything you could possibly want spread across the beautiful rolling hills of Southern Illinois. Must have good footwear for this trail. The Shawnee National Forest is a United States National Forest located in the Ozark and Shawnee Hills of Southern Illinois, United States. Check out Sand Cave, a little known historical gem of Shawnee National Forest! That’s why we’ve asked expert hikers of Shawnee National Forest to chime in on what trails to hike and what to see. With over 250,000 acres of beautiful land to explore, it can be overwhelming to decide where to go hiking! Stay Connected . To early settlers this unique formation was known as 'the Pounds,' an old English term meaning "some sort of enclosure." The River to River Trail starts at Grand Tower on the Mississippi River and meanders across the southern tip of Illinois all of the way over to Elizabethtown on the Ohio River covering 157 miles from end to end. A small shallow cave close by makes exploring fun for all ages! We Offer … Hikers and backpackers come from far and wide to get the chance to see the myriad of wildlife and beautiful views available in Southern Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest. Exploring Southern Illinois by bike is a relaxing way to take in the beauty of the Shawnee National Forest. Shawnee NF Multi-Day Hikes Welcome to the multi-day hikes page. There are many miles of diverse hiking and backpacking trails in the Shawnee National Forest including the 160-mile River to River Trail. AllTrails has 31 great hiking trails, trail running trails, forest trails and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you. This working forest is managed to provide a variety of multiple uses on a sustained yield basis: Timber harvesting, tree planting, wildlife habitat, forestry research, watershed and soil protection, and production of tree seeds. Please be aware that these maps may not display the most up-to-date trails or other information due to time-lag between changing conditions, FS Topo updates, and updates to this bundle. The River to River Trail serves as the southern portion of the American Discovery Trail. This is how the valley lying to the east got its name, Pounds Hollow. Indian Point Trail – Shawnee National Forest Hikes. Take the 40-mile main loop or a shorter trek around the 23-mile North Loop or 17-mile South Loop. If you’re ready for an affordable rustic getaway surrounded by a breathtaking national forest then look no further! There are many choices for hiking trails in Shawnee national forest. Used by both hikers and horseback riders. Hikers and backpackers come from far and wide to get the chance to see the myriad of wildlife and beautiful views available in Southern Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest. A shady, well-paved trail winding through tiny towns in Southern Illinois...a well maintained, interesting area. Forest Service, it consists of approximately 280,000 acres (1,100 km²) of federally managed lands. Box 505. Read more. Heron Pond is one of the best short hikes hands down. A huge 55 foot wide mouth cavern with loads of history and opportunities for adventure! There are several trails set aside for bikes. Forest streams do not meet the safety standards for drinking water. Cave in Rock is a great choice for a quick trip. The Shawnee National Forest is a United States National Forest located in the Ozark and Shawnee Hills of Southern Illinois, United States. There are additional trailheads where day trips can be started and stopped. Start checking them out and you'll be out on the trail in no time! Hidden Springs Ranger District. Contact Us . When riding an eBike in Southern Illinois, you will find yourself deeply immersed in the region’s magnificent scenery. The first portion of the trail is a loop around the lake with an option to go out and back to the Lirley trail head near Makanda. Several miles of the trail are rock and very easy with many rock formations to view. Administered by the U.S.D.A. They have been bundled together for your convenience, and the entire Shawnee National Forest is covered by this set of maps. Start checking them out and you'll be out on the trail in no time! The leaves on the trees had fallen and there wasn’t a mosquito in sight. We spent five nights touring the area during the late fall. stay for the experience. The Pomona Natural Bridge is more of an attraction than a hike the path is so short! The trail is in good shape generally. As you descend down the mountain you will find a staircase. Have you ever wanted to fly? Fantastic rock formations surround both sides of a well-cared-for path as well as a picture perfect rock creek . Featuring High Knob Loop Trail, Twin Towers, Buzzard Point, a bat cave, many rock formations and different forest settings. A large segment of this trail is part of the River to River trail. Hike the trails at Jackson Falls Recreation Area and go rappelling, rock climbing, or bouldering at an array of over 60 distinct climbing areas all while experiencing some of the most beautiful sites Shawnee National Forest has to offer. Known for their outstanding floral beauty, the upper and lower trails are flush with woodland flowers each Spring! Rim Rock Recreational Trail. Administered by the U.S.D.A. Located in the heart of the forest, 1095 acres is set aside for Shawnee State Park and its elegant lodge, cabins, campground and two lakes. This is part of the Cache River Nature Area and an important stop for migrating birds. Discover Now. The Ferne Clyffe waterfall hike is amazing all along it’s 3/4 mile path with a great reward at the end. Weekend hiking trip with friends to Shawnee National forest and surrounding areas. The view is absolutely amazing and the spring water is so clear and blue. Difficult trail with some long uphill challenge. You also have to deal with all the pig trails people leave. Amateur footage shot in March 2018 at Shawnee National Forest's eastern side in Illinois using a GoPro Hero 5, Karma Grip, and Karma Drone. Lawrence W wrote a review Oct 2017. Check out  Bart Lane’s Shawnee Guided hiking tour and shuttle service. Experience all this and more at Pounds Hollow Recreation Area! See more ideas about Shawnee national forest, Southern illinois, National forest. SHAWNEE STATE FOREST TRAILS The Shawnee Backpack Trail winds through wilderness area, and includes portions of the Buckeye Trail and North Country Trail. Lots to see and explore on The Little Grand Canyon hike. There are 9 moderate trails in Shawnee State Park ranging from 1.5 to 8.5 miles and from 672 to 1,259 feet above sea level. Everything the Shawnee National Forest located in the heart of Shawnee National Forest, Southern Illinois is! Because of its exceptional scenic beauty and historic values Rock at Garden of the Gods Anvil! 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