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Shawnee National Forest

50 Highway 145 South, Harrisburg, IL 62946

State Parks & National Forest

Nestled between the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers in southern Illinois, the Shawnee National Forest is teeming with natural beauty, making it ideal for all types of outdoor recreation.

The Forest’s landscape features rolling hills, forests, open lands, lakes, creeks and rugged bluffs. The area’s mild weather throughout the year makes a visit during any season enjoyable.

The Shawnee National Forest is famed for its awesome Garden of the Gods, and is home to the Rim Rock Recreational Trail (the forest has a system of 403 miles of equestrian/hiking trails). Hikers are greeted by magnificent jutting walls of rock covered with emerald-green moss, and paths that meander through canyons under the forest canopy. Nestled between the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, the stunning Shawnee National Forest landscape features rolling hills, lakes, creeks and rugged bluffs. If you’re into climbing than a must-see is Jackson Falls, located near the town of Ozark in the Hidden Springs Ranger District in Shawnee National Forest. The climb takes place on 60 feet of sandstone cliffs and boulders that include numerous freestanding towers.

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