Shawnee National Forest — Garden of the Gods
Illinois · National Forest · Midwest Region
Shawnee's Garden of the Gods is a sandstone rock garden in southern Illinois, ancient formations with names like Camel Rock and Anvil Rock, surrounded by dense hardwood forest that erupts in color each fall. The Observation Trail is a paved 0.25-mile loop to the main overlook, accessible for all fitness levels. The Illinois Ozarks feel genuinely different from the rest of the state: rugged, forested, and surprisingly wild. An underrated gem within a day's drive of Chicago, St. Louis, and Nashville.
- Best season
- April–October
- Permit required
- No
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Max group size
- 75 people
Permit Information
USFS land — no permit or fee required for noncommercial groups under 75 people. Groups of 75+ require a Special Use Permit. Commercial photography may require a separate USFS permit. Note: this is not the same location as Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.
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