The Essential Guide to Shawnee National Forest

If someone mentions Garden of the Gods, images of Colorado’s iconic, jagged red rock peaks likely come to mind. An estimated 4.5 million tourists crowd the Colorado Springs park each year. But savvy outdoor enthusiasts know there’s a series of equally impressive rock formations—with the same name, no less—tucked away in the Midwest. Shawnee National Forest’s Garden of the Gods in southern Illinois is a hidden hiking gem every bit as selfie-worthy as its crimson-colored cousin out west.

The landscape first took shape more than 320 million years ago, as wind and rain slowly eroded the forest’s vast sedimentary rock deposits. This natural sculpting resulted in stunning sandstone formations that amaze visitors who flock to the site, which is free and open to the public year-round. 

“It’s going to change your opinion about what Illinois is,” says Shawn Gossman, a local hiking expert and guide. “You know, people think about skyscrapers up north in Chicago, and then assume the rest of the state is agriculture. There’s so much more… Every corner you turn in our Garden of the Gods, there’s something to look at and photograph.”

Here’s what you need to know before planning a trip to Shawnee National Forest’s Garden of the Gods.

What to Do

Start the day early on the quarter-mile paved Observation Trail. You’ll easily spot the area’s landmarks, including Table Rock, Devil’s Smokestack, and Camel Rock, the latter of which was featured on the back of an “America the Beautiful” quarter in 2016. The vistas offer sweeping views of the forest, valleys, and bluffs below.

Don’t stop there—more hiking adventures can be found in (and just outside) the Garden of the Gods Recreation Area. The upper portion of the Rim Rock Trail meanders past remains of an ancient stone wall built by Native Americans, while the lower trail takes hikers by Ox-Lot Cave, a natural overhang that reportedly served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Gossman also recommends the nearly two-mile Indian Point Trail for a rugged, less-crowded experience. “It’s kind of a wilder area,” he explains. “There [are] beautiful overlooks where you can see the rock formations from a different vantage point.”

Garden of the Gods also includes equestrian trails, so riders can enjoy the area’s natural beauty from the saddle; several nearby stables organize horseback tours. And when you’re ready to rest, there are ample benches and picnic areas throughout the 3,300-acre recreation area.

Word to the wise: there are steep drops in the Garden of the Gods, so watch your step to ensure your safety. During rain or snowmelt, trails become slick. And keep a healthy distance from wildlife. Venomous snakes—including the timber rattlesnake, the copperhead, and the cottonmouth—all make this area their home.

When you’re ready to relax off the trail, grab a sweet treat at the nearby Garden of the Gods Outpost. The soft-serve ice cream is a post-park fave, but other groceries and outdoor supplies are available as well. If you’re craving carbs after your hike, head to Mackie’s Pizza in Harrisburg, Illinois, about a half-hour drive away.

Best Time to Visit

While there are fewer visitors in winter, the ice and snow can make the Garden of the Gods trails treacherous. Southern Illinois summers can be brutal, bringing a double-punch of heat and high humidity that some visitors may wish to avoid. That said, head to the area in late fall, as the surrounding oak and hickory trees put on a brilliant show. “The last two weeks of October are typically our peak autumn season,” says Gossman. “If you can make it there, then you’re going to see just amazing colors.”

How to Get There

Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest is situated between the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers in far downstate Illinois. It’s an easy 2.5-hour drive through green, rolling farm fields from St. Louis, and about three hours in the car from either Nashville or Louisville. If you’re flying in, St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) or Nashville International Airport (BNA) will likely have the best deals on flights; you’ll also find limited connections at Evansville Regional Airport (EVV) in southern Indiana, which is a little over 90 minutes from Garden of the Gods.