Shawnee National Forest

from Away.com

Related Guides

Popular Cities in Illinois


	Introduction

	Activities
	Top Picks

	In Depth
	More Highlights

	Contacts & Links

	Index



	GORP Illinois


	Summer's Top Parks
	Summer Mountain Festivals
	Beach Travel Blog
	Parks and Outdoors Guide
	2008 Summer Buyer's Guide from Outside Online

PARKS

Shawnee National Forest
Illinois

The Ozark and Shawnee Hills extend over 270,000 acres of rough mountaintops and rugged rock formations between the natural borders of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. This terrain, which is much different than the flat Midwest directly to the north, claims five different ecological divisions and hence creates vast diversity in topography, wildlife and recreation.

Garden of the Gods

Famous trails, wilderness, Midwestern wildlife and famed foliage are only some of the Shawnee's attractions. Maple, dogwood, oak and pine are interspersed among the unique sandstone configurations that decorate the eastern hills and offer a bouldering destination for rock hounds. Lakes encompassing more than 2,700 acres and access to 135 miles of hiking trails, including the American Discovery Trail, can be found in the Shawnee.

Move on to