Experience the natural beauty and heritage of the Shawnee National Forest.

Protect the Forest for yourself and others.

Welcome to a rich hiking experience on the Shawnee National Forest! While over 300 miles of trails are marked, 30 miles are for hiking only. Trails traverse the hills and valleys of the Shawnee Hills and the Illinois Ozarks…

Note to wilderness visitors: Please be aware you could face inherent risks of adverse weather conditions, isolation, physical hazards, and lack of rapid communications. Search and rescue may not be as rapid as expected.

Backpacking Areas

• Hidden Springs Ranger District
• Bay Creek Lake
• Camp Cadiz Campground
• Garden of the Gods Recreation Area
• High Knob Lookout
• Jackson Falls
• One Horse Gap Lake
• Pounds Hollow Recreation Area
• Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District
• Cedar Lake
• Kinkaid Lake & Trail System
• River to River Trail
• Wilderness Areas
• Bald Knob Wilderness
• Bay Creek Wilderness
• Burden Fall Wilderness
• Clear Springs Wilderness
• Garden of the Gods Wilderness
• Lusk Creek Wilderness
• Panther Den Wilderness