10 Outdoor Activities to do in the Shawnee National Forest

There are many different types of outdoor activities to do in the Shawnee National Forest.

Most of these outdoor activities are free, too. You just need to show up with your gear or the required method and then go do it. The Shawnee National Forest is really one of the best places to visit for vacationing and tourism in the entire Midwest.

In this guide, I’ll show you some top outdoor activities to do in the Shawnee National Forest.

So Many Outdoor Activities to do in the Shawnee National Forest

There are so many outdoor activities in the Shawnee National Forest that I couldn’t list them all. However, I could list 10 of the top activities based on what I have seen over the years. I hope you enjoy this article, and thanks for checking it out.

1 – Hiking in the Shawnee National Forest

Hiking is likely the main activity of the Shawnee National Forest.

We have over 400 miles of hiking trails, including trails reserved only for hikers and trails you share with other users such as mountain bikers and horseback riders. Some of our best trails include Garden of the Gods on the east side, Jackson Falls in the central part of the National Forest, and Little Grand Canyon on the west side of the region. As of this time, all of our hiking trails are free to enjoy and open to everyone.

We even have great hikes for seniors, kids, pets, and those with disabilities.

2 – Backpacking in the Shawnee National Forest

Backpacking is another one of the many outdoor activities to do in the Shawnee National Forest.

There are several great backpacking opportunities in the Shawnee National Forest, whether you want a simple overnight trip or a full-thru-hike. The River to River Trail is around 160 miles in length and is a thru-hike for many throughout the year. The Shawnee National Forest has seven different wilderness areas that are perfect for overnight backpacking, too.

Giant City State Park has a 12-mile loop trail with a campground in the middle, which is perfect for beginner backpacking.

3 – Biking in the Shawnee National Forest

Biking is definitely among the outdoor activities to do in the Shawnee National Forest.

We have so many different biking opportunities, from road biking to gravel cycling, rail trails, mountain biking, and more. Enjoy our 40+ mile Tunnel Hill State Trail rail trail, which includes a 500+ foot tunnel. We also have three great mountain biking trails located at Lake Glendale, Kinkaid Lake, and Cedar Lake.

Don’t forget the annual Dirty South Gravel Race and the pristine mountain biking trail at Touch of Nature.

4 – Kayaking in the Shawnee National Forest

There are so many kayaking opportunities in the Shawnee National Forest.

We have lakes, creeks, and rivers that await your kayaking adventures. We have multiple lakes (some with no wake, too) where you can kayak, such as Dutchman Lake. We also have many great creeks and rivers to kayak and paddle on like Cache River and Lusk Creek Wilderness.

Whether you want to boat, kayak, canoe, or SUP, we have plenty of spots for you to enjoy it here in the Shawnee National Forest.

5 – Equestrian Riding in the Shawnee National Forest

Most of the hiking trails in the Shawnee National Forest were put here by horse and mule riders.

We have multiple equestrian campgrounds to enjoy, such as Bear Branch, High Knob, and Little Lusk Campground. There are well over 400 miles of trail to enjoy on horseback, including Garden of the Gods Wilderness, the Jackson Hole area, and Trail 049. There is even a wagon trail near Thacker Hollow on the east side of the Shawnee National Forest.

Make sure you check out Shawnee Trail Conservancy and the Backcountry Horseman of Illinois, who do so much for the equine community in the Shawnee National Forest.

6 – Camping and Lodging in the Shawnee National Forest

Camping and lodging are among the biggest outdoor activities to do in the Shawnee National Forest.

We have just about every camping and lodging solution you’d desire. We have free and paid campgrounds for backpackers, tent campers, RV campers, and horseback campers. We also have many rental properties, cabins, and even some bigger homes for larger families visiting the Shawnee National Forest.

If you need a place to stay in the Shawnee National Forest, we have you covered.

7 – Sightseeing in the Shawnee National Forest

If you don’t want to get too far from your car, there are plenty of great sights to see.

I suggest checking out the drive-to-see spots like High Knob Overlook, Upper Burden Falls, and the Illinois Iron Furnace. We also have great towns with cool spots like the Superman Statue in Metropolis or the Cliff View Park in Alto Pass. The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail might also be something for you to enjoy but remember to drink responsibly when visiting our beautiful wineries.

There are plenty of amazing things to see around the area, and you don’t have to walk too far to witness them.

8 – Jeeping in the Shawnee National Forest

Jeeping is definitely among the list of outdoor activities to do in the Shawnee National Forest.

We have miles and miles of seasonal Forest Service Roads that are great for jeeps and trucks. We even have a few ATV parks in the region, such as Williams Hill Pass and Sahara Woods. You have to check out the annual Blessing of the Jeeps at Bald Knob Cross, too.

I highly recommend joining Jeep’N Shawnee to learn everything about Jeeping in the Shawnee National Forest.

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9 – Rock Hunting in the Shawnee National Forest

There are many great places to rock hunt in the Shawnee National Forest.

The Forest Service says you can take rocks and fossils that fit in the palm of your hand as long as they’re not in an archeological area or anywhere that is signed where collections are prohibited, such as LaRue Pine Hills. I suggest visiting spots like Millstone Lake, Hutchins Creek, Iron Mountain, and Reddick Hollow to find awesome rocks and fossils. Don’t dig for artifacts in the Shawnee National Forest, as doing so is illegal no matter where you are in the National Forest.

Some of the rocks we like to look for are heart rocks – how about you?

10 – Wildlife Watching in the Shawnee National Forest

There are tons of wildlife-watching outdoor activities to do in the Shawnee National Forest.

If you like birding, you should check out places like Pennant Bar Openlands and Oakwood Bottoms. If you enjoy watching snakes, visit LaRue Pine Hills Snake Road and Heron Pond Preserve. If you want to see deer, head over to the Crab Orchard Refuge Auto Loop.

And occasionally you might even see a black bear pass through the region during some seasons.

Final Thoughts

As you can see above, there are tons of outdoor activities to do in the Shawnee National Forest. The ones listed above are some of the better ones.

I’d love to hear from you. Out of the list of outdoor activities above, what activity is your favorite thing to do when outdoors?

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And until next time, I’ll see you on the trail!

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Thanks again for checking out another one of my articles and until next time, I’ll see you on the trail!