Exploring the Shawnee National Forest Area in Southern Illinois is a treat for outdoor lovers! Known for great hikes, stunning scenery & Bigfoot territory. Southern Illinois is a beautiful spread of country with so many things to see in the Shawnee National Forest Area!

[{"selector":"#anim-27e10eb6-dd64-4a0d-85e5-49a51f32a3d6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

10 Things to do in the Shawnee National Forest

This local hot spot is fabulous for cold drinks, ice cream, Bigfoot and local area souvenirs including pressed pennies! and yes – definitely for asking directions!

[{"selector":"#anim-26af5e5a-4df4-4988-a26c-1ea4bdb9a72f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

Have a picnic under the Golden Circle

[{"selector":"#anim-224073b7-de0e-4cd2-9dd9-607fba28f1a4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Golden Circle is an amazing local spot that most tourists don’t know about. But I will warn you – it’s completely unmarked so be prepared for an adventure! Learn more

Hike down into Rim Rock

[{"selector":"#anim-7c1a0c64-3095-4ea3-bdc3-bf35d1e0169a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -76.70744%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ac287baa-7452-44a2-9851-d3d493ba91f5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 274.45990%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

Marvel at Ox-Lot Cave

[{"selector":"#anim-8e666f00-c185-477c-87c4-b08dc7cc6ff8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 167.18045%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Ox-Lot Cave received its name as it was once used as a corral to keep oxen, mules and horses. A small spring is boxed in off to the side and was a watering hole for animals. Learn more

Swipe up to read all the 10 Things to Do in the Shawnee National Forest Area – Southern Illinois

[{"selector":"#anim-a68b216b-005b-4dd5-b484-e43c089e43b3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-126.77594%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3f7a87d0-2b89-468e-92eb-78921fb937f9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(137.70491%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Read more

Other stories

[{"selector":"#anim-65fecd4a-0e86-4995-80ed-dfbc53e4bd77","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(259.40593%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-407cea20-04b7-4b1a-9f62-1121985b373e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(151.50000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1c6b5b14-b00c-46c9-a204-cb6cb0b19539","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(42.07921%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cfc19963-43b7-4042-a5b2-b24aa983b770","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-260.89109%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d68ae307-b4e7-4201-a81e-441cbe32e021","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-154.5%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7fa01ff2-e2cf-4c44-b4ea-15b7c7d4d3da","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-44.55445%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-300ac850-f969-4fec-b4e3-c9e1d1d85c36","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-090f3c2c-f91f-465b-b4dd-afe37dbe2d86","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Exploring the Shawnee National Forest Area in Southern Illinois is a treat for outdoor lovers! Known for great hikes, stunning scenery & Bigfoot territory. Southern Illinois is a beautiful spread of country with so many things to see in the Shawnee National Forest Area!

10 Things to do in the Shawnee National Forest

This local hot spot is fabulous for cold drinks, ice cream, Bigfoot and local area souvenirs including pressed pennies! and yes – definitely for asking directions!

Garden of the Gods Outpost

Have a picnic under the Golden Circle

Hike down into Rim Rock

Rim Rock was one of my personal favorites to explore because if it’s incredibly unique geological formations.

Marvel at Ox-Lot Cave

Swipe up to read all the 10 Things to Do in the Shawnee National Forest Area – Southern Illinois

Other stories

Ten Tips for Camping on a Budget

15+ Fun Roadside Stops to make on the way to Branson