Welcome To ShawneeForest.com
Great solo and family adventures happen in the Shawnee National Forest! Did you ever think mud and rocks could stop a 5 year old cold in their tracks? Well it happens! Sure it’s not a crowded amusement park only for kids or an old boring museum for mom and dad, it’s the Shawnee National Forest! In the forest kids get to play on the attractions while the adults get to soak up all that grown-up stuff they enjoy like American and Pre-America history, unadulterated nature, and spectacular views. If you think the forest is just for family picnics, think again! How about rock climbing for a day? Maybe try your hand at some of the best fishing in the state of Illinois, kayaking, or canoeing. Have you ever wanted to stay in a log cabin? Come on over! Explore a little!
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Shawnee Forest
Explore any of these beautiful and majestic hikes in the Shawnee National Forest for incredible views and getting up close and personal with rock formations and indigenous history or enjoying family-oriented adventures with beautiful waterfalls, natural land bridges, and so much more.
Garden of the Gods
Eastern Shawnee
This hike puts you on top of fantastic rock structures being able to see for miles!
Eastern Shawnee
This quick hike offers great views of the Ohio River for the adults and the cave is a huge hit with kids. Watch out for pirates!
Central Shawnee
Heron Pond offers some of the most diverse wildlife anywhere in Southern Illinois and the long floating boardwalk gets you in the middle of the action!
Eastern Shawnee
Come and walk over or under the only natural land bridge found in Shawnee National Forest!
Cabins and Lodging in the Shawnee Forest
So many great choices for lodging in the Shawnee National Forest and the Southern Illinois area can be found here on ShawneeForest.com. Many visitors find the maps and the nearby attractions listed for each lodging option very helpful when planning a vacation or even a simple weekend getaway.
Bigfoot @ Shawnee Forest?
Be sure to check in with Sassy the Sasquatch when visiting Garden of the Gods at Shawnee Forest! Unlike her big brother, she is very social!
Vineyards and Wine Here?
With ShawneeForest.com being the premier tourism website for southern Illinois, it was a natural fit to add a section for one of the area’s most popular attractions; vineyards and wineries.
Shawnee National Forest Maps
GPS Map of the Shawnee (PDF/730k)
This map has GPS coordinates for many of the major attractions within the Shawnee National Forest. It is highly recommended for all tourist to the southern Illinois area.
Pre-Vacation Planning Map (PDF/1024K)
Interactive map listing many of the more popular attractions within the forest and linking to more detail. This map is great to use during the planning phase of vacation or hike to the Southern Illinois area or the Shawnee Forest.
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Mom’s Guide to the Shawnee National Forest
There is no better way to introduce your kids to the wonders of nature than to take them on a journey that immerses them into the woods, where the sounds, scents and overwhelmingly beautiful scenery can connect them to the earth in ways that are both invigorating and...