From our unique cabins and inns the Shawnee National Forest becomes your playground for outdoor adventure. Days can be spent exploring our many parks, hidden hollows, shelter bluffs, and unique rock formations such as Camel Rock at the Garden of the Gods. Discover just how majestic the night sky can be when unspoiled by city lights. A free ferry ride across the Ohio River leads to Kentucky Amish country and the nearby Cave in Rock State Park invites you to walk inside the cavern hideout of Century river pirates. Here there are miles of trails for all ages; a hikers paradise. Fishermen, hunters, bikers, and kayakers have thousands of acres of public land and water ways to explore. Stay and unwind in nature’s wonderland . . . we’re just a scenic drive from anywhere!
Why visit the Illinois Ozarks?
GATHER ROUND FOR A GOOD TIME
Things to Do in the Shawnee National Forest
Ol' Stone Face
Stone Face is about ½ mile but strenuous at the end you are rewarded with scenic vistas and of course Stone Face. The Stone face Trail continues to Glen O Jones’ Lake for a total…
Jackson Falls
Jackson Falls offers many opportunities for technical climbing and is a beautiful scenic area on the Shawnee National forest. To reach Jackson Falls from Harrisburg, turn south…
Rim Rock Trail
Hike the Rim Rock trail which meanders through native hardwoods, past the remains of an old Indian Wall. Take the rock stairway to the valley leading to a huge rock shelter bluff…
Garden of the Gods
Explore the rock formations, cliffs and trails of the most visited site in the Shawnee National Forest. See Camel Rock, Anvil Rock, Devil’s Smokestack and many other fascinating…
Pounds Hollow
A picturesque setting, Pounds Hollow campground and lake are tucked away amongst the Shawnee Hills, where you can relax and get away from it all…
Cave-In-Rock
Ride the only Illinois Ferry crossing the Ohio River and view the lifestyle of our Kentucky Amish neighbors. While you are in Marion, Kentucky visit Ben E. Clement Mineral…
Burden Falls
An intermittent,seasonal stream spills over Burden Falls in a picturesque series of waterfalls with a total drop of about 100 feet and the greatest single drop a…
Bell Smith Springs
Bell Smith Springs is one of the most beautiful recreation areas the Shawnee National Forest has to offer. It contains a series of clear, rocky streams and scenic canyons…
Dixon Springs
786 acre state park situated on a giant block of rock . Cliffs, wet weather waterfalls, large boulders and a running stream are just some of the sights to see when hiking…
One Horse Gap
Visualize an ancient Indian tribe passing through “One Horse Gap” a nearby narrow rock crevice that extends downward from the top of a sheer bluff near this 26-acre lake…
Iron Furnace
On the National Register of Historic Places, step back in time to Civil War days when “pig-iron” was smelted in the first charcoal-fired iron furnace in Illinois. Iron…
Lusk Creek
Almost 5,000 acres of beautiful Shawnee Forest loaded with scenic canyons, beautiful streams, sandstone cliffs and trails for days. Many rare plants and lots of wildlife…
High Knob Lookout
Some of the best panoramic views of the Shawnee and a perfect view for sunsets. A couple highlight filled short hikes including an old “Indian Trail Tree” and beautiful green…
Sand Cave
Largest sandstone cave in North America and probably occupied for more then 12,000 years. Cliffs and springs close by are also interesting. This cave is off Cedar Grove Church…
Millstone Bluff
National Historical Registry. Got its name from the millstone for pioneer mills dug from a small quarry on this hill. Before that however, it was a very interesting Mississippi…
War Bluff B.S.
The largest Illinois Audubon sanctuary, War Bluff Valley Sanctuary, is located in rural Pope County in southeastern Illinois. Adjoining the wilderness of the Shawnee National Forest…
River to River Trail
The River to River Trail spans 160 miles from Battery Rock on the Ohio River to Devil’s Backbone Park in Grand Tower on the Mississippi River. 160 miles of Shawnee Forest…
Glen O' Jones Lake
Saline County State Fish & Wildlife Area, 5 miles southeast of Equality in southeastern Illinois, was the site of springs and wells that furnished brine for one of the two…