The Top 12 Attractions in Shawnee National Forest
There are plenty of places to see and visit in Shawnee National Forest. Whether you love hiking or cycling, Shawnee National Forest is a region where 12
hidden gems are waiting to be explored and visited. Check the top places to visit in the region and plan your next adventure today.
hidden gems are waiting to be explored and visited. Check the top places to visit in the region and plan your next adventure today.
Last updated: September 28, 2025
From here, you have beautiful nature views far into the distance. This is a great spot to stop for a break before continuing on. This viewpoint can be reached from the Little Grand Canyon trailhead via a moderate hiking trail.
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Set in the lush Shawnee Hills of southern Illinois, Ferne Clyffe State Park spreads across roughly 2,430 acres just south of Goreville and offers a rich mix of forest, bluffs, …
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Built of stone and brick, this iron-smelting furnace operated from the late 1830s until 1883, with a 7-year pause in the 1860s because of the Civil War.
Nowadays, the furnace …
Nowadays, the furnace …
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This campsite sits just outside one of the most photographed places in Illinois, the undeniably beautiful Garden of the Gods. The campground is walk-in only and first-come, first-serve, with pretty …
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This portion of the River to River Trail wends into the Garden of the Gods — a stunning collection of sandstone formations, sprouting out of the forest as if they …
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Most popular attractions in Shawnee National Forest
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