Shawnee National Forest

Shawnee National Forest is a 289,000-acre forest in southern Illinois between the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.  The forest includes a variety of natural habitats and environments, including oak-hickory forests, wetlands, canyons, and ridges.  The forest was established in 1939 by President Roosevelt and has grown in size since.  Today, the forest features camping, hiking trails, and other outdoor activities.  The forest is divided into two ranger districts and there are seven wilderness areas within the forest.

Contact Information:

50 Hwy 145 South

P.O. Box 505

Harrisburg, IL 62946

Phone: (618) 253-7114

Ranger Districts:

Hidden Springs Ranger District:

Hidden Springs Ranger District makes up the eastern half of the forest.

Wilderness Areas:

Burden Falls Wilderness Area:

Burden Falls Wilderness protects a seasonal waterfall and an area of sandstone bluffs in Pope County.

Garden of the Gods Wilderness:

Garden of the Gods Wilderness protects an area of spectacular rock formations.

Waterfalls:

1. Burden Falls
2. Jackson Falls

External Links:

US Forest Service website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/shawnee