Located in the Ozark and Shawnee Hills of Illinois and between the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, Shawnee National Forest is a favorite of trailblazers and campers from all over.
It boasts 289,000 acres of gorgeous hills, wildlife, vegetation, and fun. But with all that space to explore, where do you start?
For tips, guides, and information to help prepare you to tackle Shawnee National Forest camping this year, keep reading!
Shawnee National Forest Overview
History of the Park
The Shawnee National Forest Park was established in 1933 by the US Forest Service.
In the 1980s and 90s, Shawnee was the site of strong conservation efforts from local and national organizations to preserve the national resources of the forest.
Featuring important Underground Railroad sites, indigenous Cherokee homesteads, and maybe even a sasquatch or two, Shawnee National Forest has a rich cultural history ready for you to explore.
More than one million people visit the forest every year and for good reason. And after this guide, you’ll be ready to join them!
Things to Bring
In its temperate location in southern Illinois, there is an opportunity to enjoy Shawnee National Forest year-round!
Make sure to bring a swimsuit, good hiking shoes, sunscreen, all-weather wear, and a good water bottle with you. That way, you’re prepared to have in all different types of weather. Keep reading for more ideas on What to Bring Camping.
Shawnee National Forest Camping
9 Best Spots to Camp
There are nine different official camping areas in Shawnee National Forest: Redbud Campground, Camp Cadiz, Garden of the Gods, Johnson Creek, Lake Glendale, Oakwood Bottoms and Turkey Bayou Campground, Pine Hills Campground, Pounds Hollow, and Tower Rock.
All of these campgrounds are surrounded by beautiful wilderness and bodies of water. So, the best spots to camp are ultimately decided by what you need.
If you’re in an RV, then the camping areas without RV parking probably wouldn’t be best for you.
What Kind of Camping Is Available
All campgrounds at Shawnee National Forest are first come, first serve and do not accept reservations. Typically, the campgrounds open on March 1st and close on December 15th.
The price range per night for camping spots goes from totally free to $15.
Of the nine camping areas of Shawnee National Forest, four are designated for RV camping: Johnson Creek, Lake Glendale, Tower Rock, and Camp Cadiz
Each campsite has different amenities and different levels of accessibility, so make sure you do your research beforehand if you’re looking for specific facilities.
Things to Do at Shawnee National Forest
Sightseeing
If you aren’t big on challenging hikes but are still eager to see the sights of Shawnee National Forest, don’t fret! There are plenty of opportunities to get some good views that don’t require a rigorous journey to get there.
To get to Garden of the Gods, you only have to go a quarter mile off the beaten path on the observation trail.
Garden of the Gods provides some of the most spectacular views of the forest, featuring lush vegetation and unique rock formations. There’s a reason it’s called Garden of the Gods!
Cave-In-Rock was once home to pirates and a tavern to outlaws. Nowadays, it’s a beautiful national park to visit and explore.
The Cave-In-Rock has been shaped by centuries of wind and water to become a stunning landmark of the Shawnee National Forest area.
The Pomona Bridge is the only natural bridge in Shawnee National Forest. It’s about 90 feet long, 30 feet in the air, and made of sandstone carved out by the water that once flowed below.
It’s a short walk from the parking area to the bridge, roughly a third of a mile. The Pomona Bridge is great for adults and older children but not accessible for young kids and strollers.
Heron Pond is where the wonders of Shawnee National Forest wildlife converge. It’s home to more than one hundred endangered or threatened plants and animals.
The floating boardwalk across and around the pond makes it an ultimate viewing platform for all the diverse flora and fauna of Shawnee National Forest.
And if you are feeling a bit adventurous, you can get a bird’s eye view of Shawnee from the canopy zip lines!
Activities
Horseback Riding
There are a few different areas around Shawnee National Forest that are designated for horse riding and camping.
If you do choose to ride horses in the park, please stick to the authorized trails and recreation areas!
Hiking
Shawnee National Forest has excellent hiking opportunities to choose from. No matter your skill level, there’s a trail for you!
From the 160-mile trek of the River to River trail to the Bay Creek Lake walk that’s just under a mile, there’s something for everyone.
If you are interested in a multi-day backpacking trip, remember to pack all your essentials and give way to equestrians!
Fishing and Boating
Within Shawnee National Forest, there are 11 lakes and 52 ponds, several of which are actively managed by the national park staff.
If you’re lake and pond fishing, you can expect to catch some bass, bluegill, or catfish.
In addition, there are also opportunities throughout Shawnee National Forest for river and stream fishing.
While fishing in the forest, you must follow Illinois Fishing guidelines regarding the size and number of fish you can keep.
You can launch motorized boats from Dutchman Lake, Lake Glendale, Lake of Egypt, Tower Rock, Cedar Lake, Johnson Creek, and Kinkaid Lake and Trail System.
For non-motorized boating, you can utilize the same sites plus Bay Creek Lake, Lake Tecumseh, Bowman Lake, Lusk Creek, One Horse Gap Lake, Whoopie Cat Lake, and Oakwood Bottoms.
Watersports
Swim, tube, waterski, kayak, and windsurf to your heart’s content at Shawnee National Park!
At Cedar Lake, Johnson Creek, Kinkaid Lake and Trail System, Lake of Egypt, and Tower Rock, you’re welcome to watersport as long as the weather allows.
Nearby Sites
One nearby must-see is the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, marked with various monuments and signage along the way.
This is a super important site and an immersive historical experience for children and adults.
Little Grand Canyon is a small, hikeable box canyon – an unusual feature with gorgeous views.
Before you leave, be sure to take a selfie with Sassy the Sasquatch!
The surrounding towns and areas have vineyards, shopping, dining, recreation, and even scuba diving to enjoy!
Wildlife at Shawnee National Forest
Wildlife You Can Expect To See
More than 500 species of wildlife call Shawnee National Forest home, including bears, cougars, wolves, mountain lions, salamanders, possums, and even armadillos!
However, snakes, birds, squirrels, frogs, butterflies, and beetles are typically what you’ll come across.
But if you’re really lucky, you might catch a glance of a barred owl, a rosy maple moth, a softshell turtle, or maybe even a wild turkey.
Below the water’s surface, Shawnee National Forest has 109 species of fish, plus a variety of aquatic mollusks and amphibians.
A good portion of the wildlife in Shawnee is either harmless or way more scared of you than you are of them. But remember, not all critters are friends, even if they’re cute.
There’s always a chance to might find yourself face to face with a large predator, a venomous snake, or a poisonous spider.
How to Observe the Wildlife Safely
If you do meet a less-than-friendly forest inhabitant or want to take some preventative steps to avoid them altogether, there are a few things you can do.
Firstly, you can ensure you’re always prepared to encounter critters. Bug spray, bear repellant, durable shows, and a headlamp are all great things to carry to set you up for success in the face of the Shawnee wildlife.
You’re much more likely to find a dangerous predator or poisonous animal off the beaten path, so sticking to the marked trails is best (for a lot of reasons)!
If you want to get up close and personal with some of the wildlife that Shawnee has to offer, you can visit one of the many wildlife observation areas: Bell Smith Springs, Garden of the Gods, Rim Rock Trail, Simpson Barrens Natural Area, Cedar Lake, Johnson Creek, Kinkaid Lake and Trail System, LaRue-Pine Hills-Otter Pond, Lincoln Memorial Pond, Little Grand Canyon, Oakwood Bottoms, and Pine Hills.
Vegetation and Geography of Shawnee National Forest
Vegetation
There are over one thousand different species of plants living and thriving in Shawnee National Forest.
Six different natural ecological regions meet in the Shawnee National Forest, making it an exceptionally special place to view some flora and fauna.
These regions, called Natural Divisions, are biological hotspots that help to categorize and map out the biodiversity of the area and guide restoration and conservation efforts.
Of the six Natural Divisions that Shawnee encompasses, there are nine natural communities to explore: upland forest, bottomland forest, woodland, barrens, cliff, glade, cave, swamp, and seeps and springs.
These natural communities showcase the distinct microclimates and ecologies throughout the forest. Shawnee National Forest can only thrive if these natural communities stay safe and work together!
Wrapping Up Shawnee National Forest Camping
Shawnee National Forest truly has something for everyone. The wildlife is diverse, the hiking is plentiful, the camping is up to scratch, and the fun is endless!
To explore even more potential spots to camp and adventure, visit our guide to 40 of the Best Places to go Camping in Illinois.
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Leah is a writer, editor, and content manager with a master’s degree in English. Naturally, she is passionate about all things writing and learning.
She is proud to call North Carolina (specifically, the Outer Banks) home and loves exploring the state’s stunning coastline, sprawling Blue Ridge, and everything in between.
Leah can be reached at leah@applepiemedia.net