Shawnee Secrets: Top Things to Do in Shawnee National Forest

Oh, the mishaps that led us to Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois! Around 11 pm the night before we were supposed to road trip to New Mexico, our son cracked his tooth! At that moment we canceled our entire spring break vacation and focused on getting our child to the dentist. Long story short – our son was seen and all was well, but it left us panicking to find a closer destination that wasn’t crowded. We are so thankful for these mishaps because Shawnee blew us away. With its sprawling 289,000 acres of land and over 403 miles of hiking trails, Shawnee National Forest spares no shortage of things to do. There’s something for everyone (boating, hiking, fishing, zip-lining, caves, waterfalls, animals, kayaking…). Keep reading to see the best things to do in Shawnee National Forest and why it left us amazed.

Map of Things to Do in Shawnee National Forest

Best Things To Do In Shawnee National Forest

Cave in Rock

Address – 1 New State Park Rd. Cave-in-Rock IL 62919
Phone Number – (618)-289-4325
Cost – FREE

Cave in Rock is truly one of a kind and should not be missed. This massive 55 ft. cave is nestled along the Ohio River. The cave is pretty simple to get to. All you have to do is head down the stairs to the paved path. It’s a pretty short hike (0.9 miles).

For a unique experience take a FREE ferry ride across the Ohio River. The Cave in Rock Ferry runs about every 15 minutes.

Garden of the Gods

Address – Picnic Rd, Herod, IL 62947
Phone Number – (618) 253-7114
Cost – FREE

Garden of the Gods Observation Trail is the most popular destination in Shawnee National Forest and it’s no surprise why. It’s an easy .5-mile loop offering spectacular views of the Garden of the Gods wilderness areas. Not only are the views & sunsets stunning, but it’s also like an enormous playground for kids. There are giant boulders everywhere that you can climb on. My youngest could have climbed on them all day. As a matter of fact – we had to promise him a second trip to the Garden of the Gods Recreation Area just so he could climb. Oh and keep your eyes peeled for Camel Rock. The fun camel-shaped rock is in the picture above.

Garden of the Gods is the best place in Shawnee National Forest to catch a sunset. The one we saw was breathtaking! And surprisingly there wasn’t an overwhelming amount of people.

Be cautious of the wind. It can get really strong.

Little Grand Canyon

Address – Pomona, IL 62975
Phone Number – (618) 253-7114
Cost – FREE

The Little Grand Canyon Trail is truly one of a kind & so much fun. Little Grand Canyon should not be compared to the Grand Canyon in Arizona. The two are nothing alike and are not comparable in any way. This 3.4-mile hike has you climbing down into the canyon and through the creekbed. The trail is slippery, challenging, and breathtaking. Along the way, you will see views of the Big Muddy River and if you are lucky you can also see views of the Mississippi River (if the trees are bare). There are also a lot of birds, especially near Big Muddy River. If you like to birdwatch this trail is for you.

Wear hiking shoes with good traction. The trail can get very slick. We actually saw an older couple turn around because the climb down into the canyon was too slick for them.

Read More: Alternative destinations for popular places

Pomona Natural Bridge

Address – Natural Bridge Rd, Pomona, IL 62975
Phone Number –  (800) 699-6637
Cost – FREE

Pomona Natural Bridge is an easy, short hike (0.3 miles) that’s great for all ages. It’s almost like you’re walking through a fairy tale. The moss, the woods, the natural arch, the stream… simply stunning. The great thing about this scenic trail is that you can walk across the top of the Natural Bridge which is fun. There is also a small waterfall and stream that runs below the bridge.

To get here we had to take a long, narrow dirt road. We kept thinking that we were on someones driveway and thought we were headed the wrong way. It turns out that it was NOT somebody’s driveway and was in fact the correct way to get there. Stuff like this happens ALOT in Shawnee National Forest.

Rim Rock National Recreation Trail

Address – Eagle Creek, RR 1 Box 198B, Findlay, IL 62534
Cost – FREE

Rim Rock Trail is a 1.7-mile hike that goes around the rim of a giant boulder. This trail will also take you down into the crevice of the unique rock formations. Rim Rock is a great place to let kids play and climb on the rocks. There are a lot of nooks and crannies that my kids really enjoyed exploring.

Giant City State Park

Address –235 Giant City Rd, Makanda, IL 62958
Phone Number – (618) 457-4836
Cost – FREE

Spanning over 4,000 acres, Giant City is truly GIANT. This State Park has it all – horseback riding, camping, fishing, rappelling, rocky streams, high sandstone cliffs, and many hiking trails with beautiful scenery. There is something for everyone.

Watch for wildlife. We saw snakes, frogs and lizards.

Giant City State Park – Trails Worth Mentioning

Giant City Nature Trail

We really enjoyed the Giant City Nature Trail. This trail is a must for kids. Along this 1 mile loop, you’ll find many crevices, small caves, and maze-like paths that your kids will want to play on. This is every kid’s dream playground.

Devil’s Standtable

Hike this .3-mile loop to a large mushroom-like rock formation.

Stone Fort Trail

This short hike (0.4 mile loop) leads you to an abandoned historic site. That historic site is an old abandoned fort. The fort is no longer a fort but a pile of large boulders which is not very impressive. However, the trail follows a stream to the top of the bluff with beautiful scenic overlooks. This would be a great place to have a small picnic or rest.

Trillium Trail

The Trillium Trail is a 1.3-mile loop with a 164 ft. elevation gain and is great for all ages. This natural beauty has a few hidden caves along the way. We had a lot of fun exploring them. Watch along the sides of the sandstone walls they have unique textures & patterns.

Boo Castle Park

Address –101 Homewood Dr #99, Carbondale, IL 62902
Cost – Free, but donations are encouraged to help with the maintenance of the park

Boo Castle Park was created to honor the memory of Jeremy “Boo” Rochman. He was a passenger in a deadly car accident. Jeremy loved Dungeons & Dragons so it’s no surprise that you’ll find large, climbable dragon-theme statues scattered around the park. This is a very unique park and we enjoyed looking at and climbing on all the statues.

Section Eight Woods Nature Preserve

Address –101 Homewood Dr #99, Carbondale, IL 62902
Phone Number – (618) 457-4836
Cost – Free

Take a short walk on the flat boardwalk through the Cypress-Tupelo swamp. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. The boardwalk is a great spot to watch for animals. Section Eight Woods Nature Preserve is not something I would have expected to see in Illinois. As a matter of fact, it kind of reminded us of Congaree National Park in South Carolina.

State Champion Bald Cypress Tree

Phone Number – (618) 634-2231
Cost – Free

Lower Cache River Access has the Big Cypress Tree (250 ft.) trail that allows you to see one of the oldest State Champion Bald Cypress trees. This Cypress Tree is estimated to be 1250 years old! It’s really neat. Do you know what a champion tree is? If you said no, no worries, we didn’t either. Champion tree means that the tree is the largest species in that particular state.

Trigg Observation Tower

Address: Trigg Tower Rd & Rushing Rd, Simpson, IL 62985
Cost – FREE

When my daughter suggested we add Trigg Observation Tower to our list my husband and I both cringed. It just didn’t look safe in the pictures and it looked even worse in person. Trigg Observation Tower is just an old metal tower that you can climb up to see views of a field. It truly is nothing special but our kids really enjoyed it. It was the oddest experience but we all had so much fun laughing our fears away. Sadly, I didn’t get many pictures.

Burden Falls

Address – Located near Stonefort, Il
Cost – FREE

Burden Falls trail is about 1 mile out and back with 150 ft. elevation. Burden Falls isn’t well marked and is off of a rough dirt road with large potholes. We went after it rained and there was water over the road. Be careful on your scenic drive there. When you park you will see a beautiful but short waterfall. If you look to your left there should be a trail that you can take down into the scenic canyon. I’m warning you though, this trail isn’t for everyone. There are a lot of tree roots, stumps, and down trees that you’ll have to climb over. The hill is big, steep, and covered in loose gravel. I slipped a few times. Please take your time going up and down. Even though this hike was more of an adventure than we expected, it was one of our favorites. The hike was beautiful and the waterfall was stunning.

Waterproof hiking boots/shoes with great traction is a must!

Stone Face Trail

Address – Mountain Township, IL 62946
Cost – FREE

Stone Face was such a fun find. This wooded trail is about 1.6 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 256 ft. Some parts of the trail are a little rocky and overgrown, but it’s still a fun trail. We found a few small caves scattered along the way which were fun to explore.

Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour

Address – 635 Robinson Hill Road – Makanda, IL 62958
Phone Number – (855)-386-9477
Cost – $75+ per person

Can you think of a better way to experience Shawnee National Forest Area? I can’t. Zip Line and hike through the forest canopy.

Bell Smith Springs

Address – Bell Smith Springs Rd, Ozark, IL 62972
Cost – FREE

Bell Smith Springs is one of the most scenic recreation areas in Shawnee National Forest. It has 8 miles of trails that feature scenic canyons, sandstone cliffs, clear rocky streams, Natural Rock Bridge, Devil’s Backbone, Boulder Falls

Jackson Falls

Address – Glen St Falls Rd, Simpson, IL 62985
Cost – FREE

This 4.2-mile loop takes you around the top of the bluff and down into the canyon. We didn’t do this trail & after reading reviews on AllTrails it sounds like some people get lost hiking this. I highly recommend that you read through reviews and watch videos on youtube before you go. This will make sure that you know where you are going so you don’t get lost. This is a great spot to do some rock climbing.

Ox-Lot Cave

Address – Eagle Creek, RR 1 Box 198B, Findlay, IL 62534
Cost – FREE

Ox-Lot Cave Rim Trail is a 2.3-mile hike. This trail features beautiful rock formations, wildflowers, Ox-Lot Cave, and a lake. You can reach Ox-Lot Cave from Rim Rock National Recreational Trail.

Pounds Hollow

Address – Karbers Ridge Rd Karbers Ridge IL 62955
Phone Number – (618) 253-7114
Cost – FREE

Pounds Hollow is a beautiful recreational area surrounded by sandstone bluffs. Camping, boating & fishing are some of its main attractions.

Iron Furnace

Address – Route 146 &, 34, Elizabethtown, IL 62931
Cost – FREE

Iron Furnace is a historic stone furnace made somewhere between 1837 & 1839. Walk around and explore it at your own leisure.

Lusk Creek Canyon

Address – Eddyville, IL 62928
Cost – FREE

Lusk Creek Canyon is a very large canyon that features a stream with sandstone bluffs.

Shawnee National Forest Tips & Advice

• Cell service was hard to come by. We didn’t anticipate this and it made getting to our first-day destinations difficult. After that first day, we started adding addresses or points of interest (We literally couldn’t find some addresses to our destinations) to our GPS at the hotel. Then we made sure that it loaded all of the directions before we left. I highly recommend downloading or printing your maps beforehand.
• Shawnee National Forest is HUGE! Group your daily activities by location. This means choosing activities for the day based on their proximity to each other.
• Be aware. Venomous snakes live in the area. While we did see 2 kinds of snakes, we did not see any that were venomous.
• Dogs are welcome! Just be sure to keep them on a leash and clean up after them. Our pups had the best time!

Weather & Best Time to Go To Shawnee National Forest

June, July, September & October averages temps in the high 80’s. These temps are not unbearable but coupled with the humidity, it could leave you uncomfortable.

April, May & October temperatures average in the 70’s. We went in early April for spring break and the weather was perfect. We did have a few rainstorms. Thankfully those happened at night and didn’t hinder our daytime plans. Also, there were no crowds! It was wonderful.

March & November temps average in the 50s. Hiking in November (or fall) would be stunning. Shawnee has so many trees, hiking or driving through the color-changing leaves would be magical.

December, January & February have temperatures in the 40’s. While I think Shawnee National Forest would be breathtaking in the winter, many of the trails were rather difficult in the spring. I couldn’t imagine hiking them with snow or ice.

Where to Stay in Shawnee National Forest

Because Shawnee is so large, try to pick a place to stay that is closest to most of your activities.

Hotels- We stayed at Hampton Inn in Carbondale because it was dog-friendly and we had enough points to get the room for free. Browse all the Shawnee area hotels here.

Cabins- Here is a list of Shawnee Forest cabins.

Campgrounds- Shawnee is such a beautiful, tranquil area. If you like camping, I highly recommend that you do so. Here’s a list of Shawnee Forest Campgrounds.

Check out our list of best-selling camping gear!

What to Pack for Shawnee National Forest

Sample 5-Day Shawnee National Forest Itinerary (Family-Friendly)

Day 1	Garden of the Gods at sunset .5 mile (easy) 10 min. but you’ll stay an hour or so	Stone Face 1.6 miles (easy) 50 min.	Pounds Hollow 1hr.	Ox-Lot Cave via Rim Trail 2.3 miles (moderate) 1 hr. 10 min
Day 2	Little Grand Canyon Trail 3.4 miles (moderate) 2 hours	Pamona Natural Bridge .3 miles (easy) 10 min
Day 3	Giant City Nature Trail 1 mile (easy) 30 min.	Devil’s Sandtable Trail .3 miles (easy) 10 min.	Stone Fort Trail .4 miles (moderate) 20 min.	Trillium Trail 1.3 miles (moderate) 40 min.	Jeremy Boo Memorial 0 mile 30 min.
Day 4	Section 8 Woods Nature Preserve 475 ft. (easy) 15 min.	State Champion Bald Cypress Tree 2.5 miles (easy) 40 min.	Burden Falls 1 mile (moderate) 40 min.	Trigg Observation Tower 0 mile 20 min.	Bell Smith Springs Natural Bridge Trail 1.4 miles (easy) 40 min.
Day 5	Cave in Rock .9 mile (easy) 30 min.	Iron Furnace 0 mile 20 min.	Lusk Creek Trail Indian Kitchen 3.5 miles (moderate) 2 hours

Popular Itineraries
Michigan’s Upper Pennisula
Starved Rock/St. Louis
Spectacular Fall Getaway

If you’re looking for a beautiful, outdoor destination that’s full of hidden gems – Shawnee National Forest is for you. It is free of crowds, secluded, and absolutely beautiful. There truly is something for everyone and it’s FREE to explore. Our top 3 favorite things to do in Shawnee National Forest were Cave in Rock, Little Grand Canyon, and Garden of the Gods. What are you most looking forward to seeing there? Let us know in the comments.

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