Shawnee National Forest

Bay Creek

Bay Creek Wilderness is located in Pope County. The Wilderness is located adjacent to Burden Falls Wilderness and is in a stone's throw of Bell Smith Springs Recreation Area. Bay Creek Wilderness is comprised of a central hardwood ecosytem with some pine plantations. Contained in the Wilderness is the Bay Creek Wild and Scenic River Study Corridor. Trails for hiking and equestrian use will take you by some indications of past use by people including homestead, fruit trees, cemeteries and abandoned roads.

Size and History:

Bay Creek Wilderness was designated as a wilderness area by the Illinois Wilderness Act of 1990 (PL101-633)

2866 Total Acres.

Ranger Station:

Hidden Springs Ranger District
P.O. Box 37 (Hwy 45 - North).
Vienna, IL 62995
(618) 658-2214

Closest Medical Facility:

Harrisburg Medical Center
100 Hospital Dr. (P.O. Box 428)
Harrisburg, IL 62946
(618) 253-7671

Parking, Trail Heads and Directions:

Several small parking areas and trail heads adjacent to Forest Road 447: State Highway 145 to Eddyville, IL. North to Forest Road 447. West on Forest Road 447

Topo Maps Recommended:

Stonefort

Bald Knob

Located in Union County, and adjacent to Clear Springs Wilderness, the area has generally rugged topograghy including narrow ridgetops, steep slopes and narrow creek bottoms. With Elevations from 480 ft. to 980 ft., Bald Knob Wilderness offers some great opportunities to view the Mississippi River Valley. Trails for hiking and equestrian use will take you by some indications of past use by people including homestead, fruit trees, cemeteries and abandoned roads. Bald Knob Wilderness also includes The Hutchins Creek Wild and Scenic River Study Corridor. Also, for an inspirational setting, do not forget to visit North America's largest Christian monument, Bald Knob Cross.

Size and History:

Bald Knob Wilderness was designated as a wilderness area by the Illinois Wilderness Act of 1990 (PL101-633)

5973 Total Acres. 5918 acres is National Forest System Land.

Ranger Station:

Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District
521 N. Main St.
Jonesboro, IL 62906
(618) 833-4511

Closest Medical Facility:

Union County Hospital
517 N. Main St.
Anna, IL 62906
(618) 833-4511

Parking, Trail Heads and Directions:

Bald Knob Cross Trail Head and Parking: State Highway 127 to the Community of Alto Pass, Illinois. Follow signs toward Bald Knob Cross and Wilderness.

Godwin Trail Head and Parking:
State Highway 127 to the Community of Alto Pass, Illinois. Follow signs toward Bald Knob Cross and Wilderness.

Topo Maps Recommended:

Cobden

Burden Falls

Burden Falls Wilderness is located in Pope County. The Wilderness is located adjacent to Bay Creek Wilderness and is in a stone's throw of Bell Smith Springs Recreation Area.Burden Falls Wilderness is comprised of a central hardwood ecosytem with some pine plantations. Trails for hiking and equestrian use will take you by some indications of past use by people including homestead, fruit trees, cemeteries and abandoned roads. Of course, there is a small, but very scenic waterfall located on the southern edge of the wilderness.

Size and History:

Burden Falls Wilderness was designated as a wilderness area by the Illinois Wilderness Act of 1990 (PL101-633)

3775 Total Acres. 3723 acres is National Forest System Land

Ranger Station:

Hidden Springs Ranger District
P.O. Box 37 (Hwy 45 - North).
Vienna, IL 62995
(618) 658-2214

Closest Medical Facility:

Harrisburg Medical Center
100 Hospital Dr. (P.O. Box 428)
Harrisburg, IL 62946
(618) 253-7671

Parking, Trail Heads and Directions:

Limited parking along Forest Road 402:
State Hwy. 145 to junction with Forest Rd. 447, West to Forest Rd. 402
or
State Hwy.45 to Stone Fort, IL. Southeasterly on county roads.

Topo Maps Recommended:

Stonefort

Clear Springs Wilderness

Located in Union and Jackson Counties, Clear Springs Wilderness offers some great opportunities to view the Mississippi River Valley. Elevations range from 400 ft. to over 900 ft. The Area is generally regarded as rough terrain, with narrow ridgetops, steep slopes and narrow creek bottoms. Trails for hiking and equestrian use will take you by some indications of past use by people including homestead, fruit trees, cemeteries and abandoned roads. Bald Knob Wilderness also includes The Hutchins Creek Wild and Scenic River Study Corridor. The Wildernsess also lies adjacent to LaRue-Pine Hills Ecological Area.

Size and History:

Clear Springs Wilderness was designated as a wilderness area by the Illinois Wilderness Act of 1990 (PL101-633)

4730 Total Acres.

Ranger Station:

Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District
521 N. Main St.
Jonesboro, IL 62906
(618) 833-4511

Closest Medical Facility:

Union County Hospital
517 N. Main St.
Anna, IL 62906
(618) 833-4511

Parking, Trail Heads and Directions:

Parking and Trail heads are availabe along Forest Road 236 (Pine Hills Road): US Hwy. 3 to Wolf Lake, IL, then East along State Forest Road to Forest Road 236. Then North.
or
State Hwy. 127 to State Forest Road. West to Forest Road 236. Then North.

Topo Maps Recommended:

Wolf Lake

Garden of the Gods Wilderness

Garden Of The Gods Wilderness is located in Saline, Pope, and Hardin Counties. The wilderness features an outstanding scenic views along with very unusual rock formations. Trails for hiking and equestrian use will take you by some indications of past use by people including homestead, fruit trees, cemeteries and abandoned roads. Being adjacent to the Garden of the Gods Observation Site, this wilderness is the most popular of Shawnee's Wilderness area's. Eagle Creek Special Land Management area (adjacent to Garden of the Gods) is designated to become a wilderness all its own. The Illinois Wilderness bill has designated Eagle Creek to become a Wilderness area in late November, 1998.

Size and History:

Garden of the Gods Wilderness was designated as a wilderness area by the Illinois Wilderness Act of 1990 (PL101-633)

3318 Total Acres. 3293 acres is National Forest System Land.
Eagle Creek Special Land Management Area, 722 acres.

Ranger Station:

Hidden Springs Ranger District
P.O. Box 37 (Hwy. 45 - North).
Vienna, IL 62995
(618) 658-2214

Closest Medical Facility:

Harrisburg Medical Center
100 Hospital Dr. (P.O. Box 428)
Harrisburg, IL 62946
(618) 253-7671

Parking, Trail Heads and Directions:

Abundant parking at Pharoah Campground and Garden of the Gods Observation Site: State Hwy. 34 to Karbers Ridge Rd.. Then follow signs east.

Topo Maps Recommended:

Herod, Karbers Ridge

Lusk Creek Wilderness

Lusk Creek Wilderness is located in Pope County. The wilderness features an outstanding scenic view called Indian Kitchen (Lusk Creek Canyon Nature Preserve). Trails for hiking and equestrian use will take you by some indications of past use by people including homestead, fruit trees, cemeteries and abandoned roads. Canoeing is very a popular activity on Lusk Creek during the spring and early summer. Camping along the creek is discouraged because of the probability of flash flooding. Also, camping is not allowed in Lusk Creek Canyon Nature Preserve. Located adjacent to Lusk Creek Wilderness is the East Fork Special Management Area. This area is designated to become a wilderness all its own. The Illinois Wilderness bill has designated East Fork to become a Wilderness area in late November, 1998.

Size and History:

Lusk Creek Wilderness was designated as a wilderness area by the Illinois Wilderness Act of 1990 (PL101-633)

5126 Total Acres. 4796 acres is National Forest System Land.
East Fork Special Management Area, 2042 acres

Ranger Station:

Hidden Springs Ranger District
P.O. Box 37 (Hwy. 45 - North).
Vienna, IL 62995
(618) 658-2214

Closest Medical Facility:

Harrisburg Medical Center
100 Hospital Dr. (P.O. Box 428)
Harrisburg, IL 62946
(618) 253-7671

Parking, Trail Heads and Directions:

New Liberty Church Parking & Trail Head:
From State Hwy. 145, West on Forest Rd. 404. Then south on Forest Rd. 488.

Indian Kitchen Parking and Trail Head:
From State Hwy. 145 Southeast on Eddyville-Golconda Blacktop. follow sign to Indian Kitchen

Topo Maps Recommended:

Eddyville

Panther Den Wilderness

Located in Union and Williamson Counties, Panther Den Wilderness offers some great opportunities to view some lakeside panoramas. Devils Kitchen Lake borders Panther Den Wilderness, making it a favorite for those who love the water. Trails for hiking and equestrian use will take you by some indications of past use by people including homestead, fruit trees, cemeteries and abandoned roads. Panther Den Wilderness received it's name from a rock formation known as the Panther Den that is located within the Wilderness area.

Size and History:

Panther Den Wilderness was designated as a wilderness area by the Illinois Wilderness Act of 1990 (PL101-633)

1195 Total Acres. 1018 acres is National Forest System Land.

Ranger Station:

Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District
Murphysboro Work Center
2221 Walnut St.
Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 687-1731
*TTY (618) 687-1726

Closest Medical Facility:

Carbondale Memorial Hospital
405 W. Jackson
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 549- 0721

Parking, Trail Heads and Directions:

Current parking adjacent Panthers Den Rd. Interstate 57 to Goreville exit #40. West to Panthers Den Road and then .7 miles to trailhead.

Topo Maps Recommended:

Lick Creek

Hunting is popular within wilderness areas during designated seasons.

Backpacking and horseback riding is not recommended during Illinois Hunting Season.

All wilderness users should exercise good outdoor ethics, which include; bringing a compass, appropriate maps, drinking water, observing adjacent private landowner rights and 'Leave no Trace' practices. Campers are encouraged to register with the nearest Ranger District.